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DADT Is Alive And Well; DOMA, Too

By Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy on May 10, 2009 at 11:00 AM in Backtrack Obama, Bamboozling, Barack Obama, Civil Liberties & Rights, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Flip Flopping, GLBT, Gay Rights, Hillary Clinton, Hoodwinking, Obama's Broken Promises, Pandering, Political Correctness

The issue of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is in the news again after the dismissal of a gay Army Arabic linguist recently (H/T to American Girl in Italy), as Steve Clemons mentioned in his post, “Do Obama’s Private Promises on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Matter?“). Below is an interesting history of how the act came to be:



Oh, yay! Obama said he might, maybe, could possibly do something about DADT!! Thank you, Rachel, for your ongoing, breathless support of the One, who surely will keep his promise and change this disastrous law. But just not for these people:

One can certainly see why THIS man had to go – I mean, really – educated at West Point?? An officer? Harrumph – clearly unprepared to serve in the duty of our nation! Good thing they got HIM removed from the service. Cough. Choke.

Oh, and I misspoke – Obama did do something. He wrote a letter. A letter! Saying that if only he could do something, he would. You know, if only he had some power, or position, or something that would enable him to end this absurd policy, one that has destroyed thousands of careers. Oh, if ONLY he could DO something … Ahem. Just more words, words, words, from Obama with no action to back them up.

There have been a number of Arabic Linguists kicked out, while we are in the midst of a war in an Arabic speaking nation (and no, Obama, not Afghanistan):

And another:

Here, Jason Jones from “The Daily Show” highlights just how absurd this act is in his usual “serious” way:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart M – Th 11p / 10c
Tangled Up in Bleu
thedailyshow.com
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Full Episodes		 Economic Crisis Political Humor

Now, if Bleu can ignore THAT, I think he can manage to do the work he was trained to do, don’t you??

What a waste of talent, time, and money. What a disrespectful way to treat people who are willing to put their lives on the line for our country. What a horrible way for a nation to treat its citizens. Enough words, Obama.

And speaking of words, Pat Racimora tipped me off to this story at Alternet,
Broken Promise? White House Backs Off Obama’s Pledge to Repeal Defense Of Marriage Act. Oh, goodie – more freakin’ words out of the mouth of Obama backed up by no action, or worse, by a reversal. See, this is exactly the kind of thing I kept telling people he was going to do, that his record did NOT back up these promises of his, but would they listen?? No. And now look where we are:

After ThinkProgress and other outlets noted last week’s changes to the Civil Rights page on whitehouse.gov, watering down language on the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” Tips-Q noted that the website also has completely eliminated the portion objecting to the Defense of Marriage Act. As late as April 28, the website highlighted President Obama’s commitment to “repealing” DOMA, as a cached image shows:

Today, the website states only that Obama supports full “federal rights for LGBT couples”:

He supports full civil unions and federal rights for LGBT couples and opposes a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

According to ProPublica’s Change Tracker, the changes to the DOMA language were made on April 30. During his campaign, Obama repeatedly pledged to seek to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act, telling The Advocate, “I for a very long time have been interested in repeal of DOMA.” During the primary campaign, he touted his longtime opposition to DOMA, in a strongly-worded “open letter” to the LGBT community:

Unlike Senator Clinton, I support the complete repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) -– a position I have held since before arriving in the U.S. Senate. While some say we should repeal only part of the law, I believe we should get rid of that statute altogether. Federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples, which is precisely what DOMA does.

Oh, freakin’ spare me already. Hillary Clinton has, for YEARS now, worked tirelessly on behalf of the LGBT community. As I have said before, the woman has marched in more Pride Parades than I have. Obama? Zero. NONE. Just to remind everyone of just how much she has done, here is a YouTube link to Joe Salmonese of the Human Rights Campaign singing her praises before stabbing her in the back by supporting Obama.

Oh, but don’t you worry. Obama was quick to return to his “words, just words”:

Last week, after bloggers pointed out Obama’s seeming hypocrisy on “don’t ask, don’t tell,” the White House quickly revised the language to once again pledge to “repeal” the policy, rather than just change it. Will the White House similarly fix this mistake, and reinstate Obama’s campaign promise to grant gay couples their full federal rights? (Ali Frick is a Research Associate for The Progress Report and ThinkProgress.org at the Center for American Progress Action Fund.)

Just spare me already. Arabic linguists and other military personnel are still being kicked out of the military. Obama backtracks left and right on DADT, and DOMA. Just changing things back because someone actually noticed doesn’t CHANGE anything. DADT still exists, and so does DOMA. If, and when, Obama actually puts some REAL action behind his words, then I’ll believe him. Until then, he has continued to make clear that he will say and do whatever to appease whichever group he’s talking to at the time to get their praises, accolades, and votes. Once that’s accomplished, he could give a shit about the real people involved. If you don’t believe me, go ask Dan Choi.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhXA3fXpCFk Woman Voter

    DOASKDOTELL VIDEO REVIEW “Gays in the Military” and “To Support and Defend”

    DOASKDOTELL VIDEO REVIEW “Gays in the Military” and “To Support and Defend”

    Benecke describes military brass as “apoplectic” about Clinton’s campaign promise to lift the ban, once they suddenly realized he really wanted to fulfill it. Senator Sam Nunn would actually hide behind the idea of violence against gays, and Colin Powell would reportedly threaten to resign.

    http://www.doaskdotell.com/movies/vgaymil.htm

    &

    Collin Powell
    The US secretary of state dislikes military intervention because he has problems understanding the world
    Lawrence F Kaplan

    recounts Edward Luttwak, “Powell overruled the newly inaugurated Clinton with contemptuous ease.” In at least one instance-the 1993 dust-up over gays in the military-Powell skirted the edge of insubordination. Exploiting Clinton’s weakness vis-à-vis the armed forces, Powell went public with his opposition to the plan to integrate homosexuals into the military, letting it be known that he might resign over the issue and humiliating Clinton into negotiating with-and all but surrendering to-his own military chiefs.

    http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/article_details.php?id=3392

    It was Collin Powell who led the charge blocking the doors of the military, Civil Rights, and Human Rights of men and women who were serving their country. These men and women had served honorably and bravely and he stood like a bully blocking their Civil Rights, not with a cogent argument (there was none), but threatening to undermine the Commander and Chief, the President of the United States, by throwing a tantrum and threatening to quit. A few months later, he retired, after having acted against the Commander and Chief, President Bill Clinton.

    Colin Powell, Who Led U.S. Military Into a New Era, Resigns
    By ERIC SCHMITT,
    Published: Friday, October 1, 1993

    In a farewell ceremony today on the parade grounds of Fort Myer, Va., bands played, flags flapped in a blustery fall breeze and fighter jets soared in salute to a soldier who President Clinton said symbolized “a victory for the American dream, for the principle that in our nation, people can rise as far as their talent, their capacity, their dreams and their discipline will carry them.”

    http://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/01/us/colin-powell-who-led-us-military-into-a-new-era-resigns.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/C/Clinton,%20Bill

    So, he left most pleased with himself (having gotten what he wanted, while threatening to leave) and today others would have you believe that he has changed his position, but if you listen closely to his words, he never says what he did was wrong or that he regrets the harm it has caused so many (thousands) soldiers.

  • http://noquarter foxyladi14

    career soldiers getting fired.SHAME ON YOU BARAK OBAMA..
    seems i.ve heard that before.

  • Ani

    I still have immense difficulty understanding how any in authority in our military could be so blind and cruel as to reject capable, loyal military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation. So much for all men and women being created equal.

    Discrimination is discrimination.

    How can you fault someone for trying to serve their country. President Obama needs to make a helluva lot more noise about this and keep his promise. Aside from the more important issue that it is the right thing to do, we are losing out on the service of military personnel who are vital to our efforts.

    • Ani

      Great piece, Rev. Amy.

      • http://rabblerouserruminations.blogspot.com Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

        Thanks, Ani -

        ANd that’s the million dollar question, isn’t it? You have these incredibly well trained people who WANT to serve their country, and do so with distinction, yet because of whom they LOVE, they are kicked out. Other countries all over the world have out people serving in their armed services with NO problems at all. In fact, if people aren’t trying to hide who they are, they will be happier, more well-rounded people. IMHO, that is…

  • benny

    hmmmm………… not balanced.

  • http://wiskeytangofoxtrotoprescar.blogspot.com/ James (San Jose)

    RRA you do realize that DADT is a law right? It is mandated by federal law Pub.L. 103-160 (10 U.S.C. § 654. You do also realize that Obama is obligated by the constitution to uphold the law right? You also do realize that failure to uphold the law, even a law as pointless, cruel and counterproductive as DADT would be grounds for impeachment. You should also realize that defense hawk HRC would have done the exact same thing if she were president. She two would have been forced to execute DADT as Commander In Chief.

    The only way DADT gets placed on the ash-heap of history is if Congress voids it. The only way that happens is that political grass roots pressure forces Congress to do the right thing. Right now there are probably not enough Senator to pass a repeal of DADT on an up or down vote, forget the sixty votes required to overcome a Republican filibuster.

    RRA we can’t even get Congress to stand strong on torture, all of a sudden they are going to find their inner civil libertarian? They are going to stand up to the Christian Crazy Homophobes and other bigots that still support DADT? Not in a month of Sundays. The only DADT gets repealed is if Rabble Rousers are able to convince voters to punish supporters of this rotten law. Once Senators and Congresscritters get the message that homophobia is a loosing proposition DADT days will be numbered. Congress made the law, it can unmake it. But while it is still law the president has no choice but to enforce it.

    • http://www.rabblerouserruminations.blogspot.com/ Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

      Yes, I do – and Obama could push for Congress to overturn it, like he said he was going to do (when he wanted votes). Once he got elected, he started backtracking on that promise.

      That’s the big issue – that he continues to drag his feet on this instead of making it a priority.

      I like your “congresscritters” – good one!

      And you KNOW I am all for Rabble Rousers to get to work!

      But I disagree abt HRC – I think she would have pushed the issue much sooner. She has been opposed to DADT since its inception.

      Thanks for the comment!

    • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhXA3fXpCFk Woman Voter

      James,

      President Obama doesn’t have Collin Powell working to undermine him (even going public to undermine Clinton) and threatening to quit and bring on the
      wrath of dissent. Obama has the press/media eating out of his hand, he could correct the wrongs, but he chooses not too and that is truly the sad part. Everyone deserves Civil Rights and Human Rights…everyone!

      • Ani

        The reason being that the GLBT vote is a very small percentage compared to the voting blocks he is going after for re-election — those blocks are usually not in favor of Gay rights, to put it mildly.

  • NomNomNom

    I never believed for a second that BHO would repeal DADT as he claimed, not after McClurkin: he says or implies what his audience wants to hear. I do believe Clinton would have moved quickly on this issue. Also McKinney; Nader.

    One more reason to get rid of both of these awful parties:
    http://thinkprogress.org/2009/05/10/mccain-dont-ask-dont-tell/
    McCAIN: But in all due respect, right now the military is functioning extremely well in very difficult conditions. We have to have an assessment on recruitment, on retention and all the other aspects of the impact on our military if we change the policy. In my view, and I know that a lot of people don’t agree with that, the policy has been working and I think it’s been working well.

    • http://www.rabblerouserruminations.blogspot.com/ Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy

      Even more than McClurkin, but Obama HAND-PICKING Tim Kaine, who is anti-gay, to be the Chair of the DNC! That speaks volumes…

      Great points, Woman VOter and Ani! Thanks!

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  • Jim Moore

    Perhaps being an Arabic Linguist makes you gay and we need to stop this training process immediately. If your child has a propensity for learning Arabic, it’s time for an intervention.

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