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Obama got some smack down put upon him by the Leader of Senegal today. Obama thought he could push the Gay Right Agenda outside the US. He was given an answer he didn't want to here. Then had to make sure he didn't bite his lip and show that bewildered look.
President Barack Obama on Thursday praised the Supreme Court's ruling on same-sex marriage as a "victory for American democracy" but clashed with his African host over gay rights in a sign of how far the movement has to go internationally.
Obama said recognition of gay unions in the United States should cross state lines and that equal rights should be recognized universally. It was his first chance to expand on his thoughts about the ruling, which was issued Wednesday as he flew to Senegal, one of many African countries that outlaw homosexuality.
Senegalese President Macky Sall rebuffed Obama's call for Africans to give gays equal rights under the law.
"We are still not ready to decriminalize homosexuality," Sall said, while insisting that the country is "very tolerant" and needs more time to digest the issue without pressure. "This does not mean we are homophobic."
But Obama said he wants to send a message to Africans that while he respects differing personal and religious views on the matter, it's important to have nondiscrimination under the law.
"People should be treated equally, and that's a principle that I think applies universally," he said.
A report released Monday by Amnesty International says 38 African countries criminalize homosexuality. In four of those — Mauritania, northern Nigeria, southern Somalia and Sudan — the punishment is death. These laws appear to have broad public support. A June 4 Pew Research Center survey found at least nine of 10 respondents in Senegal, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Nigeria believe homosexuality should not be accepted by society.
We are in a Muslim country, so we certainly cannot have it here," he said. "And for me it's not OK to have this anywhere in the world."
Sall sought to reassure Obama that gays are not persecuted in Senegal. But under Senegalese law, "an improper or unnatural act with a person of the same sex" can be punished by up to five years in prison.
But such people-powered democratic transitions are not always the story of the African experience. Fighting and human rights abuses limited Obama's options for stops in his first major tour of sub-Saharan Africa since he took office more than four years ago. Obama is avoiding his father's homeland, Kenya, whose president has been charged with war crimes, and Nigeria, the country with the continent's most dominant economy. Nigeria is enveloped in an Islamist insurgency and military crackdown.
Obama's itinerary in Senegal was designed to send a message, purposefully delivered in a French-speaking, Muslim-majority nation, to other Africans in countries that have not made the strides toward democracy that Senegal has.....snip~
Obama clashes with African host over gay rights
Obama was feeling cocky about the SCOTUS ruling and then tried to pass off those thoughts to some African Nations. Looks like those in the Muslims world of the African Nations are saying Gay Rights are Unacceptable anywhere in the world. 39 of their Countries Criminalize those over such a lifestyle. 4 countries put people to death if caught with the same sex, and what they also consider an Unnatural act.
Obama is avoiding Kenya, notice how after he approved the drones for Kenya how fast their President was charged with War Crimes.
It is trending for the same reason paris hilton's ass acne would trend. So now you are worried what overseas muslims find important? I am not sure why they are so worried about this with Obama droning the hell out of them, but I guess some people ignore the big things and focus on the insignificant.
:lol:
So, you are rejoicing in the fact that homosexuality is a punishable crime in that country, because it allows you to attack Obama?
Do you have any sense of integrity?
Say what Your Star.....did you want to try again with that BS on I will try to think for you? Do you know how to read English? Did you get confused with any English definition. Did you want to go over Each of those words and definitions so we can show the World Exactly how a Liberal accesses actual definitions in a dictionary?
You know where you cannot be confused. Nor have any out. Not you, nor any other, of any kind of liberal Slant!!!!!
Did you want to say you became confused over that part where I said I luv it that the News Actually reported the incident as is and didn't give it that Sugar Coating.
Still haven't figure that part about Women and Children's Rights yet with Muslim Countries.....huh?
Do you think Gays come Before All women and Children in all Muslim Countries? That they should have their Rights given to them before the Women and the Children in a Muslim Country?
Everyone deserves equal protection under the law, everyone. Just because you want to attack Obama over any and everything, doesn't make that any less true.
Yeah and just because Obama wants to push an agenda doesn't mean the rest of the World is just going to flat out accept what he says. Nor what any on the left or the Right will have to say. Seems that is the part that the left can't get thru their head. Thinking they can run around the World and treat others as if they are Americans. That Others will listen. Notice how long that listening took place. Before they said not here.
Did ya have a comment for the African leader that says such is not acceptable anywheres in the World. Did those words of this Leader strike home when it comes to changing their minds.
As for Obama.....such a shame that all on the left can't handle people talking anything about him. Well those days have come and gone, and all those on the Left will Need to get over it as it isn't going to stop until his ass is out of Office. Kinda like Bush. Which the left still cries and harps about. Even into Obama's second term.
You have a really big hard on for Obama :lol:
Seriously, what Obama said was correct, and the leader of this African country said was wrong. Are you disagreeing with that? Just because they may not be close to having equal rights, doesn't mean that we don't need to say those things, push for equal rights.
No I actually know Obama for the Putz he is and was.....before he even became a Senator, then President. Just because he got couple of hats doesn't mean he can change his stripes. Not one of them.
I am wondering how many times this African leader had to say it. Since he said once before. Even Before Obama's Arrival today. Did ya miss that part about Obama's decision going back to 2011?
I don't agree with this African Leader but how does this change the fact of those Muslims that he and their Clerics Influence? How is it bringing any change. When none of these countries have decriminalized. Or stopped the outright killing of those that are gay. Again the Initiative goes back to a decision Obama made in 2011.
What does it say when the majority of the people of a country will not accept such a Change?
So we shouldn't even try because they're doing it anyway? Seriously, just because you dislike Obama doesn't mean you have to dislike everything he does. That is just ridiculous.
By signing a December 2011 memorandum instructing federal agencies to promote the human rights of gay people overseas, Obama publicly inserted himself into Africa's bitter debate about whether homosexuals have legitimate rights. Since then American diplomats have forcefully pressed for gay rights behind closed doors, especially in countries that criminalize homosexuality, say experts and advocates. Officials have also expanded outreach to local organizations promoting gay and lesbian rights, improved monitoring of anti-gay abuses and established an emergency fund for activists facing violence or harassment.
But the public positioning has been discreet, with the U.S. government clearly wary of any backlash that could put local activists at risk.
"Given that African societies tend to be very conservative, it's a difficult issue," Carter, the U.S. ambassador in Ivory Coast, told The Associated Press. "The question for us is, how do we advocate effectively and advance the human rights agenda for the LGBT community, or any other community that is in a difficult position? And sometimes the headlong assault isn't the way to do it."
Obama's decision to champion a hugely unpopular cause — both with the December 2011 memorandum and his public endorsement of gay marriage last year — has prompted soul-searching among some of his African fans.
But while some campaigners say Obama is uniquely positioned to change minds on gay rights in Africa, there is concern that strong public statements from the president would merely be giving ammunition to a hostile opposition that has long dismissed the push for gay rights as an example of Western powers imposing their values on Africa.....snip~
Do you think Since Obamas decision in 2011 that we should be Forcefully bringing this to countries that have not decriminalized? Do you think Obama's flip-flopping helps in any of this? Now why isn't that working for Africans?
Yes, I agree that we should be trying to actively change those laws. We should be putting pressure on them to change those inhumane laws. Why do you disagree?
I think we need to crawl before we walk with these Muslim peoples. Which means I would think women and children rights need to be worked on first and gains made there before they even can begin trying to talk about this change with those that do what this African Leader did. Many know how many times they have shown the entire world that they will not take the side of tolerance. While saying they aren't oppressing others. While allegedly giving right to others.
And again.....how do you get round those Clerics who are influencing their people over anything we say? Especially when some of those Clerics aren't in Africa.
To much pressure can lead to them out right killing gays. Now what will people do when they find they cannot influence them to accept such and they stick with that hard line. Is the Left willing to accept all those deaths that come out of it?
I think we need to crawl before we walk with these Muslim peoples. Which means I would think women and children rights need to be worked on first and gains made there before they even can begin trying to talk about this change with those that do what this African Leader did. Many know how many times they have shown the entire world that they will not take the side of tolerance. While saying they aren't oppressing others. While allegedly giving right to others.
And again.....how do you get round those Clerics who are influencing their people over anything we say? Especially when some of those Clerics aren't in Africa.
To much pressure can lead to them out right killing gays. Now what will people do when they find they cannot influence them to accept such and they stick with that hard line. Is the Left willing to accept all those deaths that come out of it?
Hi MMC!
I agree but these people are already killing Gays, stoning women, etc. I think they should be attacked on fronts and political correctness or any sensitivity issues should be ignored.
As you've noticed many are supporting Obama on his remarks but when others say the same thing about Islamic dominated countries they will claim it's 'racist', or 'islmaophobic'. None of them will dare call Obama Islamophobic here, yet the sentiments are the same.
Pushing gay rights in Kenya for two years cost me a lot of political capital and even a bit of security, but many agreed with me and some may even have been swayed.
Heya EF. :2wave: Are they like the Rest of these African Countries, when it comes to Gay Rights?
When in discussion did they ever agree that it was an acceptable Lifestyle?
Were you still involved in Kenya?
What did you think about Obama approving drones for Kenya?
Kenya is a bit more developed than most African countries.
Some more than others.
?".
Meaning were you still involved at Kenya at this time? Would you happen to know how the Women are treated in Kenya? Is like the same with these other Muslim African Countries?
I've been in the states for a year but I plan to return to Kenya to visit and eventually settle. Kenya is diverse, it depends where. Kenya is only majority Muslim on the coast and in the northeast arid land, most elsewhere is Christian of all varieties.
Oh, I guess they're throwing people in jail or killing people out of love.
So some that are more tolerant. Would you say those that are Muslim there are not so tied to Some Sunni Cleric? Influenced beyond the Norm. Would you say that they are more educated? Reading and writing wise. Not having someone tell them what they have to believe in?
Aren't mixing a legal issue with an emotional one?
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