We give absurd amounts of credit to blogs who provide continuous coverage on the status of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Let’s be honest–it’s kind of exhausting to stay on top of all the latest developments. One minute we’re celebrating a victory, the next we’re hanging our heads in disappointment. Perhaps exhausting isn’t the right word… it’s just downright frustrating.
In the latest news, the Pentagon has released results of an extensive study, in which they asked whether US soldiers are okay with allowing openly gay individuals to serve. To sum it all up? The majority of soldiers are pretty okay with the idea.
Yesterday, President Obama released a statement in response to the report. He wrote, “With our nation at war and so many Americans serving on the front lines, our troops and their families deserve the certainty that can only come when an act of Congress ends this discriminatory policy once and for all.”
Of course, it might not be so easy! All forty-two GOP senators have agreed to block every single bill–including the Defense Authorization Act with DADT attached–until Congress agrees to extend Bush tax cuts for the wealthy. Feel free to chime in with your thoughts in the comments section…
– Dewitt
It took way too long to begin with and now it’s unfortunately too late. There probably won’t be any DADT repeal or any pro lgbt legislation getting by for at least the next two years.
This is precisely why many were hoping for faster action on DADT to begin with, but ah well them’s the breaks.
Tell the to go shove it up their asses, and not in the fun way.
Lots of us tried to tell people that this would happen if they fell for the bullshit from the GOP and the tea parties freaks. But, they didn’t listen.
Obama needs to stop punting the big decisions to Congress and grow a pair…or borrow Hillary’s for a few hours.
Aside from the historical context of the “Sacred Band of Thebes” and Alexander the Great (a gay man conquering the “known” world), here’s a song from the musical “Zanna, Don’t” called “Be A Man”:
ZANNA: Back in the times of Ancient Greece
The Spartans lived a dream ‘
Thousands of manly soldiers,
Just as far as the eye could see.
No one could destroy them,
Because they all lived as one.
(–Manly soldiers, sweating manly in the sun–).
They would destroy all the enemy,
And when the day was done,
They would gather in their tent for love ‘
ENSEMBLE: Love…love…love…love…love…
That’s how they won!
ALL: Join the Army,
Join the Air Force,
Join the Coast Guard,
Join the Marines.
Work together.
Sweat together.
Shower together.
That’s how it should be.
ZANNA: Alexander the Great,
You can be sure he wasn’t straight ‘
He was a man.
BUCK: That’s right, got no business with a wife!
ZANNA: Leonardo da Vinci,
He made such wicked killing machines,
’cause he was a man.
LADIES: Way to go, Leonardo!
ZANNA: Frederick the Great,
You know he made the Prussian State
Out of nothing.
How’d he do it’
ALL: By being a man.
ZANNA: Mishima,
ALL: and Lawrence of Arabia ‘
ZANNA: Will we ever see such men again’
ALL: Yes, sir!
ALL: Join the army, etc.
ZANNA: Be a man, etc.
ZANNA: Drop and give me ten, soldier. You’re looking weak, soldier. Have you been sleeping with women’
Steve: No, sir!
ZANNA: I bet your daddy slept with women. That make you mad, soldier’
Well, it sure makes me mad that they’re gonna let them heteros into this man’s army. Present arms.
ZANNA: I don’t know what you’ve been told.
ENSEMBLE: I don’t know what you’ve been told.
ZANNA: Can’t win a war with heteros.
ENSEMBLE: Can’t win a war with heteros.
ZANNA: Heyyy.
ALL: Heyyy.
ZANNA: Ho.
ALL: Ho.
ZANNA: Hey.
ALL: Hey.
ZANNA: Ho.
ALL: Ho.
ZANNA: Ho-o-o… Somebody say Ho.
ALL: Ho.
ZANNA: Somebody say Mo.
ALL: Mo.
ZANNA: Somebody say Ho.
ALL: Ho.
ZANNA: Mo.
ALL: Mo.
ZANNA: HO-MO.
ENSEMBLE: Join the army, etc.
ZANNA: Be a man, etc.
Aside from the historical context of the “Sacred Band of Thebes” and Alexander the Great (a gay man conquering the “known” world), here’s a song from the musical “Zanna, Don’t” called “Be A Man”:
ZANNA: Back in the times of Ancient Greece
The Spartans lived a dream ‘
Thousands of manly soldiers,
Just as far as the eye could see.
No one could destroy them,
Because they all lived as one.
(–Manly soldiers, sweating manly in the sun–).
They would destroy all the enemy,
And when the day was done,
They would gather in their tent for love ‘
ENSEMBLE: Love…love…love…love…love…
That’s how they won!
ALL: Join the Army,
Join the Air Force,
Join the Coast Guard,
Join the Marines.
Work together.
Sweat together.
Shower together.
That’s how it should be.
ZANNA: Alexander the Great,
You can be sure he wasn’t straight ‘
He was a man.
BUCK: That’s right, got no business with a wife!
ZANNA: Leonardo da Vinci,
He made such wicked killing machines,
’cause he was a man.
LADIES: Way to go, Leonardo!
ZANNA: Frederick the Great,
You know he made the Prussian State
Out of nothing.
How’d he do it’
ALL: By being a man.
ZANNA: Mishima,
ALL: and Lawrence of Arabia ‘
ZANNA: Will we ever see such men again’
ALL: Yes, sir!
ALL: Join the army, etc.
ZANNA: Be a man, etc.
ZANNA: Drop and give me ten, soldier. You’re looking weak, soldier. Have you been sleeping with women’
Steve: No, sir!
ZANNA: I bet your daddy slept with women. That make you mad, soldier’
Well, it sure makes me mad that they’re gonna let them heteros into this man’s army. Present arms.
ZANNA: I don’t know what you’ve been told.
ENSEMBLE: I don’t know what you’ve been told.
ZANNA: Can’t win a war with heteros.
ENSEMBLE: Can’t win a war with heteros.
ZANNA: Heyyy.
ALL: Heyyy.
ZANNA: Ho.
ALL: Ho.
ZANNA: Hey.
ALL: Hey.
ZANNA: Ho.
ALL: Ho.
ZANNA: Ho-o-o… Somebody say Ho.
ALL: Ho.
ZANNA: Somebody say Mo.
ALL: Mo.
ZANNA: Somebody say Ho.
ALL: Ho.
ZANNA: Mo.
ALL: Mo.
ZANNA: HO-MO.
ENSEMBLE: Join the army, etc.
ZANNA: Be a man, etc.
For god sake its the year 2010.If you are a soldier in any of the forces and ur proud to be gay stand up and be proud of it.If you are in a force were bein gay does not respect you.I strongly suggest you go home back to your loving family.Why support a goverment what closes you in a jar to keep you quiet and to suppress you in a way that makes solidiers feel ashamed is moraly wrong.I must say this get out the forces and begin living your lifes with your parners and begin your life with another trade were people around you can be more apreciated of you and help you stand proud what you realy are.Also if your goverment tries to gag you so u dont ask dont tell situation does not deserve your vote for them to run your country.End of the day if i was to work in an enviroment werever its army, navy, the local garage or in a supermarket i would feel more comfortable with knowing who i am actually working with and who these people realy are. Everywere i have worked i have told all my coleques and managers about me i feel its human right to be clean and transparent with people and i have found out that you do get that respect and that you are completely safe to work with. Ide be proud if i was working in the army and to find out my fellow soldiers are gay. If people dont respect you thet 100% dont deserve to have you. Would any one aggree with this.
The GOP has one goal and one goal only…to make Obama a one term president. That’s it. The rest of the country can go to hell. Everyone wants to blame the Prez but refuse to wanna hold the rest of DC accountable for their stalling, refusal and catering to the rich. The last sentence above sums it all up, they want tax cuts for the rich and fuck everyone else. But, oh yeah EVERYTHING wrong is Obamas fault. Palin 2012!!
With each comment President Obama makes regarding the repeal of DADT, I feel more and more that the promises of “change” he built his campaign on were nothing more than another variety of convenient political rhetoric. If he truly does believe in change, then he should step up to the plate and stop hiding behind Congress as an excuse to avoid taking a definitive stand on civil rights. As the commander-in-chief of the entire military, he should do exactly what President Truman did to integrate the military in 1948 – issue an executive order to repeal DADT. Then maybe he can demonstrate that he is truly the type of leader that is worthy of a second term… one who is willing to do what is best for the country at large even if it is may be unpopular with what is appearing more and more to be a vocal minority. To allow any group of individuals to define the civil rights of a majority in this country is distinctly and unequivocally Un-American.
oops. that should read “To allow any group of individual to define the civil rights of a minority…” sorry.
You’re absolutely right regarding the executive order. One has to wonder about Obummer’s motivation to go against the promise he made to abolish DADT. As for the GOP’s goal to make him a one-termer, they needn’t worry. He’s doing that all by himself.
Very well said JeremyS!!! The GOP has to do nothing to assure a one term presidency for Obama. He himself has said that he doesn’t care if he is only a one termer, he’s going to do what he wants to do no matter what anyone else thinks.
The GOP are asses
Obama was hoping for a GOP majority, if not but to use them as a scapegoat for his mediocre stance on DADT. Picking a side on polarizing issues such as DADT among Americans is not for the faint-hearted. Unfortunately, O-blah-blah and many Democratic pols lack the nuts to stand let alone develop any of their convictions.
Obama was hoping for a GOP majority, if not but to use them as a scapegoat for his mediocre stance on DADT. Picking a side on polarizing issues such as DADT among Americans is not for the faint-hearted. Unfortunately, O-blah-blah and many Democratic pols lack the nuts to stand let alone develop any of their convictions.
the state of the union is pretty scary and sad these days… as I approach my 40s I wonder if I should go somewhere else and invest the rest of my productive years (and retirement contributions) in a place that is more inclusive and fair…. who would’ve thought that the USA of the new millennium would be a step back in time?
=-(
I’m just so sick of our politicans playing HOSTAGE with issues. Talk about bullying. Our political system needs an enema and a major overhaul. Focus fuckers! At the very least, the report you reference should tell the higher ups who live in mortal fear of homos that THEY are the ones with the problem, not the troops. The status quo must go. (and most all of the Republicans too). Just sayin.
Like the repeal would even pass! Democrats will vote against it as surely as Republicans. They should be down on their knees being thankful that the Republicans have saved the Dems from showing their hypocritical leanings. Remember, it was a Democratic president who signed the damned thing into law in the first place.
The answer is “yes.” Gay people are neither welcome nor wanted in the USA….but “it gets better.” Feh.
Right – he could just wave his magic pen, and sign an executive order to end investigations and military discipline under DADT until further notice. Unfortunately, that’s all he can do: The policy itself is not subject to revocation by the President. When the next scumbag the bleating masses vote into office receives said magic pen, guess what? We’re back where we started. It is as easy for the next President to reinstate DADT as it would be for Obama to suspend it, without Congressional intervention to repeal the policy itself.
An executive order in this situation is about as effective as a band-aid applied to a cancer patient. It looks great for those who have no idea how the system works, but the problem doesn’t go away. I can only pray that our President doesn’t make such a foolish choice, since it seems like the consensus here is that he’d shut you all up by doing so, and we’ll be needing this outrage if we want Congress to move on it.
Unsupported_Character, Thank You for your voice I have been preaching this for the last couple of years the same way with same sex Unions or marrage. The one thing Obama does need to do, an can by exective order, in the case of same sex unions, is state that the Federal Goverment will except the states that have passed same sex unions for the purpose of filing Federal Taxes. At this point if you are a same sex couple you can file your state taxes jointly but have to file seperately for the Federal and its a mess. Obama knows he can’t just give us the right, just like the Black movement of the late 50’s and early 60’s it has to be passed into law so it can’t be challanged. He is more open to helping it get passed then any of the pass Presidents.
Funny then that the top Senate Republican, Mitch McConnell, is on record as stating (more than once) that the top Republican priority is making sure Obama is a one term president. So the GOP has nothing to do with that potential outcome? Is that why they have taken a strategy to be obstructionist on nearly everything the Democrats propose rather than trying to work together for the benefit of the country? Oh, I forget – they’re too busy trying to get tax cuts for millionaires, and they’re not going to vote on anything else until they get their way! Why 98% of the American public puts up with this is beyond me.
Wow! You quote the liberal media very well! Tax cuts for the millionaires. That’s what they always say. But even if that were so, what is wrong with the rich being rich? They are most usually the ones hiring our butts for work. Without them, you don’t have a job. So, I’m not sure what the problem is. They lose money, YOU lose money. Do the math. After all, success is the American Dream. Tell me YOU wouldn’t like to be a millionaire, or at least be comfortably well off. So why punish those who have had the success? It’s stupid! Quit letting the media do your thinking and think for yourself.
For someone who likes to criticize people all the time for making assumptions and being judgmental, you certainly have given a good example of it. I’ve stated only facts in my post. You, however, are making plenty of assumptions about me, which verge on a personal attack. I’m actually ivy league educated and can think and analyze things for myself, thanks. You are simply espousing trickle down “theory,” which states that as the rich get richer, everyone else benefits. Interesting idea, but have you seen any real evidence of it? One might argue that it has been discredited given that it’s been tried since Reagan, and all we’ve had since then is a growing gap between rich and poor! My job is not dependent on rich people (and neither are most jobs). Nor do I think regular people lose anything if the wealthy are taxed more – that’s what conservative commentators would have you believe. Again, I would ask for evidence. Tax rates were as high as 90% in the 50’s during a period of great prosperity – another FACT. I *am* comfortably well off, and guess what? I think that one responsibility of those of us who have more is to give more. It’s not “punishment” – it’s called paying your fair share. Amazing that the wealthy/powerful have duped so many people into defending them with the promise of “success” and the American Dream.
I sincerely apologize for attacking you. That was poor judgement on my part. I hope you will forgive me.
I sincerely apologize for attacking you. That was poor judgement on my part. I hope you will forgive me.
Thank you, Todd. I appreciate your apology, and of course I forgive you. I hope that there are more opportunities for a civil discussion of important issues on this blog. No one can live on a diet of porn alone, and I appreciate the postings that raise awareness and discussion. I just wish many people were more thoughtful and polite!
At times I am left completely dumbfounded with this whole issue of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” Correct me if I am wrong, but is America not supposed to be the “Land of the Free?” What part of the this law, if one can call it such, is free? It is discrimnatory and needs to be swiped off the books. And I am not even an American!! If gay people want to serve in the the military let them!!!! For God sakes,they want to serve in the military, to fight to protect the rights and freedoms of their country. They want to fight to protect the rights and freedoms of a country that is not giving them the rights and freedoms that they are entitled to. The same goes for gay marrige. Just pass the damm law already. Why would u let people vote on it with their fucked up christen values. Im so fucking glad that I am Canadian.