Like most other gay folks, I was gratified the other night to hear President Obama announce at the State of the Union address his intention to put repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell on the agenda for 2010.Of course we were all hyped when we heard it the first time, too. Back when he was pandering the rainbow coalition for votes during his campaign, pledging to be a "fierce advocate" for LGBT rights. To start working toward getting rid of DADT during his first year as president was part of that promise.
Not that he has totally snubbed us, I guess, but tagging him a "fierce advocate" is probably a stretch. It's really little wonder that much of the queer community reacted approvingly, but also with a fair amount of skepticism, the other night after hearing him vow again to do what he vowed once before with nothing gotten done so far.
This DADT thing, I wouldn't think, should be such a big ordeal to get over and done with in short order. Even military personnel, the most affected by it, seem for the greater part to be more okay with the gays around than before. But you never know; I could be very naïve and very wrong.
There are some up on the hill to be reckoned with, having an altogether different take on things. John McCain said that "this successful policy has been in effect for over fifteen years" and that "at a time when our Armed Forces are fighting and sacrificing on the battlefield, now is not the time to abandon the policy."
The policy succeeding at what, I do not know, nor why we being at war makes for not a good time to end it... but old people say funny things sometimes without making much sense. I'm sure he's not alone, alongside some batty others who probably also would consider DADT a successful policy for wartime, somehow.
I really would not expect, however, McCain and the like-minded to very likely do too much at the end of the day, to hinder rescinding DADT. I would presume that a lot of their blathering so far is nothing much more than political posturing for the sake of appeasing their base. Like I said, though, I could be terribly mistaken.
Of course, we won't know for sure how much of a fracas it is going to take getting DADT repealed already, unless and until President Obama finally does step up and this year delivers to make good on his word. Cautiously optimistic, again to wait and see.
What gives me comfort is Roberts Gates is on this. And supposedly they will unveil something this Tuesday. I have my fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteThere is absolutely NO good argument for continuing the DADT policy. NONE. I heard people arguing for it, saying why change it. I shake my head when I hear this. For most people, one of the first things people ask when getting to know you is "are you married", "do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend"? I'd imagine the people in the military talk about their home lives, who they talk to at home, etc. Can you imagine not being able to share that with your collegues, even having to hide it? DADT needs to end. Whether someone is gay or straight, they are still soldiers and "inatimeofwar" it really does not matter - each serve their country and have even DIED for it. For our freedoms. How ironic.
I hope they come through on this. And McCain is an @ss.
I heartily second what Stacee says about there being absolutely no good argument for continuing DADT. Sadly, already my emailbox has been overflowing with warnings from conservatives about Obama's commitment on this matter. I suspect there will be a big fracas over this.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how GWBush came into office and with the swipe of a pen signed away so many good policies and programs Bill Clinton had started. Obama has disappointed me on this. I am sick of str8 men thinking gay men are out of control sex maniacs. I wish gay people would not sign up for wars and to hell with saving str8 people. I'm fed up.
ReplyDelete"Sadly, already my emailbox has been overflowing with warnings from conservatives about Obama's commitment on this matter."
ReplyDeleteDoug, what are they saying will happen if DADT is repealed?
Stacee - I don't read all these emails, mostly fund raising appeals. What I'm seeing most is that this is - gasp! - a liberal attempt to make "sodomy" respectable, while others feel Obama is attempting to make it a wedge issue aimed at right-wing talk radio in an effort to bring back the fairness doctrine.
ReplyDeleteD-Ro,
ReplyDeleteThe bottom line is the President, (as much as I love him) is allowing a policy to stay in place that discriminates against his fellow Americans. I don't want to hear excuses, he can sign an Executive order and do away with the DOMA. We as Liberals must hold his feet to the fire and give him tough love. If we don't we are supporting this wrongheaded policy too.
Diane, I was glad the president talked about DADT,but sadden he didn't talk about DOMA. both are equally important.
ReplyDeleteYou can say ass here. You can even capitalize it if you want and follow it up with a "hole" or "wipe", either way... but, yeah, here's hoping they come through this time.
ReplyDeleteDidn't know the conservatives would get so bent out of shape, guess I'm on the wrong mailing lists. Or just really don't care to hear from them. Too bad about that, I guess I was wrong, thought it might be easier than not.
ReplyDeleteWhy not make sodomy respectable? I mean, that should really make the straight folks out there happy I would think, they seem to do their fair share of it, too.
ReplyDeleteSodomy is conservative code for homosexuality. See Les Kinsolving's "Obama betrays 'common values' to coddle sodomites" over at the WorldNetDaily: http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=123585
ReplyDeleteThis has to get done while Democrats are in power, we all know it will NEVER happen if the Republicans get back in power. Can't Obama sign an Executive order and do away with DADT. Liberals have been too easy on Democrats when it comes to this issue and DOMA.. This is just as if not more important than health care IMO. Come election time the Dems will be out there trying to get votes from gays and lesbians. Hopefully they'll ask the candidates in the famous words of Janet.. "what have you done for me lately?"
ReplyDeletethanks for the song stuck in my head
ReplyDeleteIt might be cold outside but I had to open a window, I got so hot reading that piece of shit. Seriously it made me that angry reading it. Not to imply I don't appreciate you sending it, however. :-) Amazing. I had to bookmark it to re-read it later when I calm down.
ReplyDeleteI swear, I was just going to post that I need to now go take a shower. YUCK
ReplyDeleteCongress need to do it and they need to work in conjunction with the military on this. This will make the repeal stronger and most important, lasting.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to hearing what they will do tomorrow,.
The "working in conjunction" seems to always be a handicap when it comes to such things, we'll see.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling that if the military were to back the repeal, everything will fall into place. Unfortunately, our military seems to be like a sacred cow in the US; can't speak anything negative about it. Congress seems to revere it and are many times hesitant to go against their wishes.
ReplyDeleteBut you're right, we'll see.