DADT Repealed!!!

[Emproph]

One more nail in their anti-American coffin of hate propaganda.

In a historic move (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/12/senate-votes-repeal-gays-in-military-/1), the Senate on Saturday passed a bill to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that clears the way for gay people to serve openly in the military.

The legislation now goes to President Obama, who will sign it into law.

"No longer will our nation be denied the service of thousands of patriotic Americans ... because they happen to be gay," Obama said before the vote.

The final vote was 65-31 (http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00281), with eight Republicans crossing the aisle to support the measure. [emphasis added]

I can just imagine their new magnetic car ribbons: “Support some of the troops.” lol

[scott snedeker]

MNVx9E55OOw

[Gennee]

About time. Now for it to be in effect.

Gennee

:agree:

[Tallit]

lg8r83b7N_4

[Tallit]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/40779921#40779921

[Emproph]

First of all, credit is due for the congressional passage of the 911 responders bill and ESPECIALLY, the START treaty. (1 (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-congress-20101223,0,824480.story))
--
As far as DADT goes, it’s a victory on so many levels. It was a huge and welcome surprise, I was caught off guard.

And given the Repub’s determination to obstruct the very functioning of congress, it amazes me that eight republicans broke ranks -- especially on an issue as controversial as this.
--
Super duper anti-gay activist, Peter LaBarbera, had this to say:
"They will sue to get benefits [and] they will sue to get the same married housing as straight soldiers"
The title of his portion of the article was called: “Obama respects gays, not troops”

Just as they do with gay Christians, he (et al) attempts to imply that gay and military service are fundamentally incompatible.

In this case, all the better. Challenging the benefits of military service personnel can and will be seen as anti-American.

And that just may well be a can of worms they think twice about opening.

[scott snedeker]

Nice post!


I have to admit to my own aquiescence to "slum thinking" in my pursuit of nonviolence. I love the fact that this came from the pentagon (after coming from gays in and out of service)



I will focus my awareness on my "slum Thinking" today and let go of some of it.


If I am having this realization then so are others

Anyone else recognize this within?

[antiochian]

It is high time this ridiculous and un-American policy get flushed down the toilet. I wonder if restitution will be made to the LGBT soliders who were dismissed under DADT?

To all men and women who risk their lives for country, gay or straight--thank you!

[Tallit]

http://www.cagle.com/news/DADT10/images/stein.jpg

http://www.cagle.com/news/DADT10/images/billday5.jpg

http://www.cagle.com/news/DADT10/images/sherffius21a.jpg

[Emproph]

I have to admit to my own aquiescence to "slum thinking" in my pursuit of nonviolence. … I will focus my awareness on my "slum Thinking" today and let go of some of it.

Anyone else recognize this within?

Absolutely!

I am constantly challenging myself to be non-violent of tongue when dealing with anti-gay activists, online or in person.

Some of them are just ignorant or unaware of our challenges with the anti-gay industry. So -- through much practice (much thanks to SoulForce) -- I’ve been able to minimize my pre-judgment of others. I still have a long way to go, and it’s painful to look inside and see the ugliness within (unwarranted sense of superiority, AKA pride), but if it means not projecting my past negative experiences onto that person, I feel confident that my response to them will be as accurate and effective as possible.

However, if they cannot be reached with logic or reasoning, I indulge in my enjoyment of mocking. And yes, that’s pride too, but at that point, I’m mostly speaking to the “moveable middle” that may be reading the exchange.

Satire can be a very effective and easily memorable means of illustrating the ridiculousness of their anti-gay arguments.

When I have the presence of mind to do so, I pray for my “enemies,” and make it a point to visualize their faces and confront the demons inside me that would wish them ill will.

Even though those times are few and far between, the memory of seeing their humanity remains, and makes it that much easier to treat, and think of them as moral equals.
--
I’m glad you brought it up, Scott. Thank you.

-Patrick

[Daniel]

After the legislation crashed and burned earlier, I wasn't very excited about passage this year. But it did. And we have Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid for that insofar as getting it back for a vote, and for lining up the votes. As well, the many gay (many of the former) serviceman and women who spoke and lobbied their senators, I believe, had the biggest impact. Without them, none of this would have happened. And of course, those like Rachel Maddow hammered away nightly. Kudos to all!

Now. It may be an unpopular perspective at the juncture, but now that gay people will be able to openly die for their country, can we start the discussion and effort to make 'war no more'?

[Emproph]

Now that gay people will be able to openly die for their country, can we start the discussion and effort to make 'war no more'?

Good Idea, I can't wait to protest.

http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/12644/slide_12644_170013_small.jpg
____
link (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/30/the-funniest-signs-at-the_n_776490.html#s170013&title=Make%20Awkward%20Sexual%20Advances%20Not%20W ar)

[Tallit]

It gives me a headache trying to think down to this level:
http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/jacobs-birds-are-dying-because-dadt-repeal