Bad Analysis, Worse Views

The Huffington Post recently reported on a poll conducted by the University of Washington that supposedly sheds some light into the Tea Party movement. I use the words supposedly because Huff Post, like so many other organizations, over hypes the poll and expands the result more than is appropriate. However, some of the results, even though a skeptics lens, are startling.

First, let's start out with how the poll was conducted and how it was interpreted. The poll was done specifically with residents of the state of Washington only. It might sound stupid to say this, but, therefore, the results are only pertaining to Washingtonian Tea Partiers, not Tea Partiers from across the country. Simple, right? Not for the Huffington Post. Not once in their article about this poll mention that this was for Washington residents only. You cannot interpret this as national, when it isn't. C'mon Huff Po.!

Now, in saying that, there are still some awful feelings who people that "strongly agree with the Tea Party" (which is how this poll figured out who Tea Party people were) believe. According to the Huffington Post (this is accurate), "Fifty-two percent of respondents also said that 'compared to the size of their group, lesbians and gays have too much political power.' "

Now that is plus or minus the margin off error, which is higher than the overall poll's (2.3) since this is a subgroup. However, lets say that even 45% believe this, that is ridiculous.

What power do we have? I mean honestly. When we lobbied to end discrimination in the military, what did we get? Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Wow, what a victory. Even in this current struggle to end DADT, which we have made a ton of progress in, we are not even close to finishing the job. See Politico article.

I mean I guess being able to have sex (Lawrence v. Texas) and not be thrown in jail was a victory. (I tried to put sarcasm in there, but this pisses me off so much, I couldn't). The Bush years were a real victory lap.

President Obama has done a lot to help the community. His support against DADT is welcomed, and he did sign Hate Crimes legislation. Furthermore, he has extended benefits to federal employers of same-sex partners (has he done it enough? no), and he has urged Health and Human Services to extend health benefits. But all of those victories are something every American should enjoy, not just our hetero friends. I hardly count that as a result of us being "too powerful."

But too say we are too powerful makes my blood boil. For years we have been spending and working our asses off to get Dems elected... and for what? Gay marriage is still a pipe dream, and a DADT is far from guaranteed.

If anything we need to be more powerful and actually listened to.