Yesterday the US House passed a bill allowing the Department of Defense to repeal the law known as ‘don’t ask don’t tell.’ The final vote was 234 for and 194 against. Earlier in the day the Senate Armed Services Committee, in a vote of 16 – 12, passed a similar measure allowing it to be voted on by the full Senate. However both measures are dependent on a Pentagon report on the effects of allowing gays to openly serve in the military. The repeal would be ‘allowed’ 60 days after the completion of the report which isn’t due until December 1st. One has to wonder if it ever will actually happen.
Around the world twenty two countries ban gays in the military. They are Cuba, China, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Somalia, South Korea, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Uganda, United States, Venezuela, and Yemen. If you ask me that is some totally awesome company we are keeping. Almost a homophobic NATO, we could one hell of a block party with these guys.
Some quotes ….
“This compromise worked out by the White House, members of Congress, and Gay Inc., doesn’t actually guarantee that lesbian, gay, and bisexual people will ever be able to openly serve in the U.S. Military. Instead, it gives we in the LGBT community a promise of process to repeal of DADT without a guarantee it actually will ever result in LGB servicemembers being able to serve openly."
Autumn in a comment to a post on Pam's House Blend
“In response to the United States Senate and the House of Representatives voting on the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, forces are mobilizing for non-violent direct action and civil disobedience. Veterans are ready to spend Memorial Weekend in prison. Fasting will also commence. The simple demands are (1) End DADT firings. (2) Enact non-discrimination. (3) End the insulting, wasteful study.”
Lt. Dan Choi who last May announced he was gay on The Rachel Maddow show and plans a hunger strike this weekend.
“I think it’s really going to be really harmful to the morale and battle effectiveness of our military."
Senator John McCain the tired tard, and one time running mate of presidential hopeful Sarah Palin.
"Homosexuals in the military are three times more likely to commit sexual assaults than heterosexuals are, relative to their numbers. We believe this problem would only increase if the current law against homosexuality in the military, which was enacted in 1993, were to be repealed."
Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council and my tard of the day.
So enjoy your Memorial Day weekend but if you are gay and in New York for Fleet Week don't try and remake that famous Times Square photo. Dont kiss the one you love. I leave you with one question and a final quote ....
At what point do gay and lesbian people become full citizens of this country of ours?
"Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever."
Martin Luther King Jr. in a letter from a Birmingham jail.
tuneage, Sick Puppies - Odd One
