Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="728ups" data-source="post: 1350462" data-attributes="member: 33372">Civil Rights and Anti-Discrimination.Obama advocated for and signed theMatthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which made it a federal crime to assault anyone based on his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.He pushed through, signed and demanded the Pentagon enact a repeal of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy that forced soldiers to lie to fight for their country, and put our troops at risk by disqualifying many qualified soldiers from helping.Obama appointed Kareem Dale as the first ever Special Assistant to the President for Disability Policy.Helped Congress pass and signed the Civil Rights History Act.He extended benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. Obama has appointed more openly gay officials than anyone in history.  He issued a Presidential Memorandum reaffirming the rights of gay couples to make medical decisions for each other.He established a White House Council on Women and Girls He signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, restoring basic protections against pay discrimination for women and other workers. This was after the GOP blocked the bill in 2007. Only 5 Republican Senators voted for the bill. Obama wrote and signed an Executive Order establishing a White House Council on Women and Girls to ensure that all Cabinet and Cabinet-level agencies evaluate the effect of their policies and programs on women and families.He expanded funding for the Violence Against Women Act.Under Obama’s watch, National Labor Relations Board has issued final rules that require all employers to prominently post employees’ rights where all employees or prospective employees can see it, including websites and intranets, beginning November 2011.Fighting Poverty.Obama provided  a $20 billion increase for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps).He signed an Executive Order that established the White House Office of Urban Affairs.Improved Foreign Relations and American Status Abroad.Obama visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any previous president during his first six months in office. As he promised, he gave a speech at a major Islamic forum in Cairo early in his administration.He did much to restore America’s reputation around the world as a global leader that does the “right thing” in world affairs, at least according to the rest of the planet.He re-established and reinforced our partnership with NATO and other allies on strategic international issues.Closed a number of secret detention facilities.Obama improved relations with Middle East countries by appointing special envoys.He pushed for military to emphasize development of foreign language skills.Offered $400 million to the people living in Gaza, called on both Israel and the Palestinians to stop inciting violence.He refused to give Israel the green light to attack Iran over their possible nuclear program.He worked to make donations to Haiti tax-deductible in 2009.He established a new U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue. Issued Executive Order blocking interference and helping to stabilize Somalia. He established new, more reasonable policies in our relations with Cuba, such as allowing Cuban-Americans to visit their families and send money to support them. He ordered the closure of the prison at Guantanamo Bay. It was Republicans (and a smattering of Democrats) who prevented him from following through. Obama ordered a review of our detention and interrogation policy, and prohibited the use of torture, or what Bush called “enhanced interrogation.” He ordered interrogators to limit their actions to the Army Field manual.He ordered all secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere to be closed.He released the Bush torture memos.On his second day in office, he signed a detailed Executive Order that banned torture, reversed all  Bush torture policies, and put the United States in compliance with the Geneva Convention.In response to the emerging “Arab Spring,” he created a Rapid Response fund, to assist emerging democracies with foreign aid, debt relief, technical assistance and investment packages in order to show that the United States stands with them.Passed the Iran Sanctions Act, to prevent war, and to encourage Iran to give up their nuclear program.Ended the Iraq War.He authorized and oversaw a secret mission by SEAL Team Six to rescue two hostages held by Somali pirates.</blockquote>

Verification