Make no mistake, if Team Obama and the Dems in Congress wanted to pass Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT), it would have been a fait accompli … passed many months ago.
Instead the Democrats gave us another dog and pony show. The vote was theater and a fraud. It was also an insult to the Gay & Lesbian Community that supported the Poseur Obama.
Senator Harry Reid attached the DREAM Act (hereinafter called the albatross) and a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell to a defense authorization bill. Now what does the Dream Act have to do with DADT and what was the rationale behind attaching it to a defense authorization bill?
The answer to the first question, is not a damn thing. As to the rationale for attaching the three bills, that’s easy. It’s an oft used tactical ploy used to hinder the passage of legislation (A) by tying it to another legislative piece (B) knowing full well that the opposition cannot vote for both pieces.
It is a way to use the opposition as cover to “obstruct” legislation that would have passed (or likely would have) if it had been voted on as a stand alone piece of legislation.
And so, Harry Reid and the Dems got an “issue” they think will get them some mileage in the November elections. Poor dears, they still don’t get it, do they?
“See, it was those nasty ole Republicans who blocked DADT. It wasn’t us … we’re on your side. Cross our collective hearts!”
The tragedy is that DADT is still official military policy almost 18 years after it was originally passed. DADT WAS supported by Republican Senators John McCain and Susan Collins of Maine in addition to Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Tuesday indicates that 78 percent of the public supports allowing openly gay people to serve in the military…. ‘Support is widespread, even among Republicans. Nearly six in ten Republicans favor allowing openly gay individuals to serve in the military…. There is a gender gap, with 85 percent of women and 71 percent of men favoring the change, but support remains high among both groups.’”[CNN Polling Director Keating Holland, 5/25/2010]
or the women are wearing jock straps … if they are qualified and lead dignified lives let them be! Let them serve!
