Ask and Tell — Just Don’t DREAM
by digby
They broke the filibuster on DADT so they’ll get a vote and unless something very, very strange happens, it will pass. Millions of our fellow Americans took another step toward full equality today. Congratulations to all all of the tireless (and fearless) activists who made this happen. It’s inspiring, which is something in very short supply at the moment.
Kudos also to Bob Gates and the military brass for using common sense at long last and putting their clout behind this. It’s fairly amazing that so many Republicans still opposed, even with those endorsements. But then they’ve always used the military more as a prop and a weapon against their political enemies than anything else, so I suppose it’s not surprising.
Finally, the president deserves praise for this too. He has sealed himself today as one of the presidents who advanced civil rights — and also as the ultimate enemy to millions of people for whom this action is a fundamental threat to their worldview and belief system. That takes some courage and good for him for being willing to do it.
Here’s his statement:
Today, the Senate has taken an historic step toward ending a policy that undermines our national security while violating the very ideals that our brave men and women in uniform risk their lives to defend. By ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” no longer will our nation be denied the service of thousands of patriotic Americans forced to leave the military, despite years of exemplary performance, because they happen to be gay. And no longer will many thousands more be asked to live a lie in order to serve the country they love.
As Commander-in-Chief, I am also absolutely convinced that making this change will only underscore the professionalism of our troops as the best led and best trained fighting force the world has ever known. And I join the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as the overwhelming majority of service members asked by the Pentagon, in knowing that we can responsibly transition to a new policy while ensuring our military strength and readiness.
I want to thank Majority Leader Reid, Senators Lieberman and Collins and the countless others who have worked so hard to get this done. It is time to close this chapter in our history. It is time to recognize that sacrifice, valor and integrity are no more defined by sexual orientation than they are by race or gender, religion or creed. It is time to allow gay and lesbian Americans to serve their country openly. I urge the Senate to send this bill to my desk so that I can sign it into law.
Predictably, America was unable to take a step toward equality without sullying ourselves with a blatant act of cruelty and bigotry to balance it out. I guess there’s only so much decency allowed at one time. They filibustered the DREAM Act, which would have given a path to citizenship to people who’d been illegally brought to the US as children. Surely the empire would have fallen if young people who’ve been here their whole lives were allowed to work and contribute to our country.
Oh and by the way, several Democrats helped them do it. When they are losing their next elections to some right wing racist I wonder if it will occur to them that they are going to spend time in hell for no good reason.
So, it’s a very good day and a very bad day, which is better than usual.
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