A Note From Valerie Jarret

Adrian -- Since President Obama left office in January, I've often been asked to reflect on the Obama Administration's sweetest victories and most meaningful accomplishments. There's a lot to choose from -- from rescuing the economy in the wake of the great recession, to passing and implementing the Affordable Care Act, to taking bold new steps to address the threat of climate change. But as we celebrate LGBT Pride month, I'm thinking most of the tremendous progress we made under President Obama to advance equality for LGBT individuals across America and the world. We've come so far, Adrian, but our progress isn't guaranteed under this administration. As we know all too well, victory can be fleeting -- sign up with OFA, and they'll keep you plugged into the fight to protect our progress. I will always treasure that night in June 2015 when the White House was lit in rainbow colors following the Obergefell Supreme Court decision. The decision reflected the hard work of generations of people fighting for the equal right to marry. But in recent years, we've seen record numbers of anti-LGBT bills introduced in state legislatures across the country. Many of these bills have thankfully failed, but too many of them have passed, and we are now faced with new laws that run contrary to our values as Americans. Many of these laws claim to be about religious liberty, but are really about discrimination. There are laws that restrict the ability of local governments to protect LGBT residents, laws that target transgender people, and laws that tacitly permit cruel programs like "conversion therapy." A year ago, we enjoyed strong leadership from the Obama Administration that matched its words with its deeds, standing up for equality in the courts and in the public sphere. Sadly, that's changed, but that doesn't mean we have to stop standing up for equality, and speaking out against hate speech and violence. It means we have to get to work, organize and mobilize -- starting with the Equality Marches for Unity & Pride happening around the country this weekend. Our nation's history has always been defined by our resilience and willingness to fight. History is on our side. Are you still in? https://my.ofa.us/Still-In Thanks,  Valerie Jarrett Former Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama ---------------------------------- Dear Valerie: It has been rumored Mr. Obama would make an effort to keep his power base and your effort here tends to confirm that rumor.  This is out of the tradition of every previous President, but then we seem to be in totally new territory with the forces of darkness running the DNC with speakers that toss off expletives such that couples with children dare not take them to party gatherings for fear of teaching them new words we do not want to hear at Grandma's or our own, for that matter. Valerie, I realize you are a very smart lady with a penchant for power and as such should know:  What the Hell is going on with the Democrat party?  It seems to have gone insane.  You want to impeach Mr. Trump, who was a long term liberal and now a conservative, I believe having been driven from the Democrat Party by the insanity of what he saw and heard.  You take about 40% of the Gross Domestic Product when your borrowings are put on the books in the Debits column instead of Revenues as you did when in power.  Did your people steal that much?  My analysis tells me we will soon see a great crash and while that may permit you to get rid of Mr. Trump you will then have to deal with Mr. Pence, an Evangelical who sings hymns by heart, will appoint two heavy-duty Christians to the Supreme court when Ginsberg and Kennedy leave. What the Hell are you people thinking? Adrian Vance