Dems Reluctant To Take On DADT or Why I Don't Trust The Dems

[WillParkinson]

(Washington) Democrats say the nation should be ashamed of its ban on gays serving openly in the military. It discourages qualified people from joining the ranks at a time when the armed forces are stretched by two wars, they say, and is degrading to those willing to serve their country.

So what have the Democrats done about it? Nothing, really.

Since taking control of Congress in January 2007, Democrats have not convened hearings on the matter or taken up legislation that would let gays serve openly, although most party members favor repealing the prohibition. Instead, Democrats have focused their efforts on bringing troops home from Iraq and other issues that have broad appeal among voters, such as lowering gas prices.

In a recent interview with The Advocate, a gay newsmagazine, Democrat Barack Obama stopped short of promising to lead the way for change, saying only that he can "reasonably see" a repeal of the current ban if elected president.


http://www.365gay.com/Newscon08/06/061108dadt.htm

Yeah, I know. (D) is better than (R). But it seems not by much.

[dsc]

1. truth be known I consider both ENDA and Hate Crimes

which they did take up as bigger priorities.

[Toasterlad]

7. I See Where You're Coming From, But I Disagree.

ENDA and hate crime legislation are bigotry by omission; DADT is overt, government sanctioned bigotry. While ENDA would certainly impact more lives on a daily basis, DADT is an embarrassingly high-profile monument to intolerance. ENDA and hate crime legislation are a large, painful, but not-that-noticeable bruise, whereas DADT is a stark black eye.

I hope it goes without saying that I want complete federal coverage for all gay rights, but as a former Navy man, I find DADT particularly abominable.

[dsc]

8. I can see your point

I certainly am not saying I don't want to see an end to DADT.

[Tyo]

2. Typical stuff

Our votes and our money are far more of a priority for the Democrats than our rights are. They have convinced themselves that standing up for us is reeeeeally risky and that we should be grateful for any kind of principled position at all from them before they hand us off to the states for the Jim Crow treatment.

[terrya]

3. I'm beginning to think DADT will be overturned in the courts.

Getting pessimistic about Obama or the Democrats doing anything about this. It's a fear of taking on the Pentagon.

[Tyo]

4. I think it's just plain fear of taking on anybody

Even Sam Nunn is not averse to revisiting DADT (see link). And a number of ranking officers active and retired also think it's time. Let's face it, during this decade principle, courage, and leadership have not exactly been the Democrats' defining characteristics.

http://pageoneq.com/news/2008/Democrats_on_Dont_Ask_Dont_Tell_Lots_of_talk_litt_0611.html

[Falcon_Lights1916]

6. For the first time in a long time...

I am severely tempted not to vote this election. Obama might make noises to pacify us and get our support, but I do not believe anything will change vis a vis gays in the military or marriage equality. Everyone is too afraid of the religious right (an oxymoron if I ever saw one).

[xchrom]

5. same as it ever was. nt