May
28

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

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The US House of Representatives voted to repeal the military policy that mandated silence from gay and lesbian volunteers.

Anyone know how Rep. Heath Shuler voted? I haven’t seen a tally yet. Congressman Shuler voted against gays and lesbians again.

UPDATE: AmericaBlog explains that it’s not really a repeal:

“It’s legislation that will permit the Pentagon, working with the President, to repeal the language in the future, if and when they so choose, if ever.”

Pam’s House Blend elucidates further:

“…even if the President signed this bill into law tomorrow, this bill would not require that lesbian, gay, and bisexual servicemembers ever be able to serve openly. This bill removes the 1993 language that gave us Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT), but only allows lesbian, gay, and bisexual servicemembers to serve openly on the contigent that the President agrees that should happen, and the Department Of Defense (DoD) agree that repealing DADT wouldn’t impact military readiness, unit cohesion or recruiting.”

6 Comments

1

It’s a compromise, for sure, but at least it moves us in the right direction. I’ve been appalled at what the Republican critics have had to say on this since the debate began in earnest some months ago. Ask a Republican: do you want people to have equal rights? Their answer is: no. Rand Paul is out there rejecting the 1964 Civil Rights Act. And Sarah Palin is coming to his defense! C’mon! John McCain said that he would repeal DADT if the military wanted to. Now that the brass has testified that they are ready for repeal, McCain changed his mind. Ninety-five percent of House Republican voted AGAINST this legislation. Republicans: Freedom for the Rich! but not so much for everyone else gays especially.

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2

I think we need to remove all homophobes from the Congress and especially the Military. Talk about a group of sniveling immature cowards.

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3

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4

I’m definitely jazzed about the idea of Mr. Shuler being challenged in 2012! Anyone? I’m afraid he’s getting pretty comfy in his Blue Dog pants. I DO appreciate that he replaced Charles Taylor, but I’m ready for someone who better represents human kindness and understanding.

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5

Rep. Shuler, and to a great degree the President himself, aggravate me in precisely the following way:

Your old dog mauled half the kids in the neighborhood, so you very sensibly put him down as a public danger.
The new dog hasn’t hospitalized anybody (yet?) but he’s torn three couches to ribbons, goes on the floor every day, and steals the food right off your plate if you’re not looking. But you’re supposed to be happy because at least he’s better than the last one. And all the “experts” say he’s the best you can hope for. Why aren’t you more grateful?

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6

Saw this western perspective on Shuler from an earlier issue of the Macon County News:

Rep. Shuler also knows his district. North Carolina went blue in the 2008 Presidential election for the first time since 1976. However, the 11th Congressional District overwhelmingly rejected Obama in 2008. For example, Macon County went 60% to 39% for McCain. Other counties in the district had similar numbers, excluding Jackson and Buncombe. Shuler represents a conservative district, and votes accordingly. This is the nature of politics and America’s two party system. Democrats in Western North Carolina have to recognize this and support Shuler this fall. If they don’t, they could have another Charles Taylor representing them in Congress.

40% of that registered Democrats in this district, as I have pointed out, live east of the Balsams, however.

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