HEY GAME.. GET YOUR ASS IN HERE

[Shawn1814]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/18/dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal_5_n_798636.html#comments

:excited: :excited:

Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Passes Senate 65-31

WASHINGTON -- The Senate voted 65-31 on Saturday to end Don't Ask, Don't Tell, defeating a 17-year policy of banning gay and lesbian service members from serving openly in the military. Six Republicans initially crossed the aisle to vote against the policy: Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Scott Brown (R-Mass.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and George Voinovich (R-Ohio).

The Senate vote is a vindication of Obama's decision to push for congressional repeal as opposed to unilateral executive action, though activists note he could have done both. The Senate will make a final vote on ending the policy at 3 p.m.

In the first procedural vote on Saturday morning, 63 senators voted in favor of the bill and 33 against. In the final passage, Sens. John Ensign (R-Nev.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) switched their vote to "aye," despite initially voting against moving forward with the bill.

"The important thing today is that 63 senators were on the right side of history," Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, told HuffPost after the first vote, adding he sees the bill as a "stepping stone to further advances for the gay and lesbian community."

Gay-rights activists owe a small debt to their Latino brethren, as the DREAM Act, which the House and Senate have been considering at the same time, showed the way forward for repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Roughly a week before a crucial cloture vote failed, said one top aide, Democratic leadership staff saw that the same legislative tactic could be used to bring a standalone version of the repeal bill to the Senate floor as was currently being used to bring DREAM up. For needlessly complex reasons, a bill that comes to the Senate as a "message from the House" faces fewer obstacles to a floor vote than one that originates in the Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) proposed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) that the House consider moving first. Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) had the same idea.

"Senator Lieberman and Senator Collins determined that they would introduce a bill," Hoyer told HuffPost earlier this week. "I called and talked to a number of people. I then called Senator Lieberman and said 'Joe, my intent will be to talk to Congressman Murphy' -- who's the sponsor of the amendment that was adopted in the defense bill -- 'and put this in as a free standing bill, because we can probably send it over to you more quickly than you can send to us.' And he agreed and we introduced exactly the same bill that they have in the Senate."

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The bill passed in the House 250-175 on Dec. 16.

During debate before the cloture vote, Republicans ran through the usual list of arguments against repealing DADT, claiming it would hurt unit cohesion and that troops had not been given an adequate chance to voice their opinions on the bill. A survey on ending DADT was sent to 400,000 service members, at least 100,000 of whom responded. Of those who responded, 70 percent said they would "work together to get the job done" if there was a gay service member in their unit -- and 69 percent said they know or suspect there is a gay service member serving with them already.

Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) said the reason survey results were mostly positive because troops already thought the repeal was "a done deal" because politicians had said they planned to repeal it. Repealing DADT would harm recruitment and retention, he said. "I was shocked at how well this has worked for a long period of time," Inhofe said. "We have a saying in Oklahoma, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it.' Well, this isn't broke, it's working very well."

Republican senators said their opposition was not related to homophobia or lack of appreciation for those who have served or are serving in the military. "This has nothing to do with the gays and lesbians who have given valuable service to our military," said Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.). "That's a given."

Still, they rejected the idea that the military could adjust seamlessly to a more open policy. "Some people will say this is about civil rights and its time has come. The Marine Corps doesn't have that view," Graham said. "This is about effectiveness on the battle field, not about civil rights."

In the end, though, support for a repeal won out. A number of Democrats made impassioned appeals for the bill in the debate. "I can't think of something more egregious to our fabric, to our military," said Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y). "If you care about national security, if you care about military readiness, you will vote against this corrosive policy."

Now, though, Republicans are threatening that the vote will threaten another effort: ratification of the START Treaty, which supporters say would strengthen national security.

"Some Republicans are saying they're not going to vote for the START Treaty now because we had a vote on the DREAM Act and Don't Ask, Don't Tell," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) after the vote.

President Barack Obama applauded the Senate for moving toward repeal. "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," he said in a statement. "And no longer will many thousands more be asked to live a lie in order to serve the country they love."

Ryan Grim contributed reporting.

[SonofBaldwin]

Shawn,

I'm already getting e-mails and comments from haters trying to take this victory away from Obama and he hasn't even signed the bill into law yet.

No matter what Obama does, someone's going to say, "Magical Negro! Why didn't you do it the way I wanted you to do it???"

[Shawn1814]

Shawn,

I'm already getting e-mails and comments from haters trying to take this victory away from Obama and he hasn't even signed the bill into law yet.

No matter what Obama does, someone's going to say, "Magical Negro! Why didn't you do it the way I wanted you to do it???"

Of course they will, they wont give him credit for it.. They will say "why didn't you do this the day after you got into office"..

I want to hear what NubianNewyorker will say.. lol

[DJ Y2K Malone™]

this is a very good victory for Obama but i would like to know who do you guys feel about the bush era tax cuts that got a 2 year extension and Obama promised that he was going to get rid of them

[Shawn1814]

this is a very good victory for Obama but i would like to know who do you guys feel about the bush era tax cuts that got a 2 year extension and Obama promised that he was going to get rid of them

I blame those 6 democrats that failed to vote for it 2 times.. He knew he didn't have the votes so he had to compromise..

I still think he can use this against them in 2012.. They can put together a commercial with every single bill the republicans blocked and run that bitch into the ground.. Just as long as all the democrats are on board..

It's also funny how the congress and go against the President and they are praised but if the President goes against SOME of them he is the evil one..

[DJ Y2K Malone™]

I blame those 6 democrats that failed to vote for it 2 times.. He knew he didn't have the votes so he had to compromise..

I still think he can use this against them in 2012.. They can put together a commercial with every single bill the republicans blocked and run that bitch into the ground.. Just as long as all the democrats are on board..

It's also funny how the congress and go against the President and they are praised but if the President goes against SOME of them he is the evil one..

but with the bush tax cuts do you think it was fair to put the unemployment extension up with it yea he gave 13 months of extensions but that only for the people that havent went through the 4 tiers what about the millions who have already went past the 99 weeks how will that help them the unemployment rate is at 9.8% but those are the numbers for people who are actually getting unemployment insurance the actual numbers would be about 22% of an unemployment rate what do you think the president should do the number are gonna grow last month there were only 39,000 jobs added with over 15 million people unemployed

[Shawn1814]

but with the bush tax cuts do you think it was fair to put the unemployment extension up with it yea he gave 13 months of extensions but that only for the people that havent went through the 4 tiers what about the millions who have already went past the 99 weeks how will that help them the unemployment rate is at 9.8% but those are the numbers for people who are actually getting unemployment insurance the actual numbers would be about 22% of an unemployment rate what do you think the president should do the number are gonna grow last month there were only 39,000 jobs added with over 15 million people unemployed

The republicans are the ones that block everything and would have blocked that too..

All of this can be used against them..

And I'm not sure how it works with the 99ers.. I'm not sure how many dems are for more extensions..

[switchblade330]

it'z about fuckin time !!!!!!! President Obama is a man of his word

[switchblade330]

senator john mccain should just kill himself.....................PIECE OF SHIT

[Aquaria]

senator john mccain should just kill himself.....................PIECE OF SHIT

let's get 'im

[Shawn1814]

senator john mccain should just kill himself.....................PIECE OF SHIT

[switchblade330]

He needs 2 pay a visit 2 the troops in afghanastan-get re captured by the taliban & tortured till both his fuckin old decrepit arms fall off--ICAN'T STAND DAT MOFO

I NEED THE NAMES OF THE 6 DEMOCRATS THAT VOTED AGAINST ENDING THE BUSH TAX CUTS 2=SORRY AS BITCHES !!!!

the democratic party is a bunch of dirty smellin pussies-PUNK-ASSES

[Shawn1814]

He needs 2 pay a visit 2 the troops in afghanastan-get re captured by the taliban & tortured till both his fuckin old decrepit arms fall off--ICAN'T STAND DAT MOFO

I NEED THE NAMES OF THE 6 DEMOCRATS THAT VOTED AGAINST ENDING THE BUSH TAX CUTS 2=SORRY AS BITCHES !!!!

the democratic party is a bunch of dirty smellin pussies-PUNK-ASSES

LOOK AT WHAT THIS PUNK BITCH SAID TODAY..

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), once a voice of optimism for repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell, reportedly called Saturday "a very sad day" before the Senate voted to lift the military ban.

"I hope that when we pass this legislation that we will understand that we are doing great damage," said the four-term incumbent before the vote, according to ABC News. "Today is a very sad day."

[Jodienda76]

LOOK AT WHAT THIS PUNK BITCH SAID TODAY..

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), once a voice of optimism for repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell, reportedly called Saturday "a very sad day" before the Senate voted to lift the military ban.

"I hope that when we pass this legislation that we will understand that we are doing great damage," said the four-term incumbent before the vote, according to ABC News. "Today is a very sad day."

He is such a piece of shit homophobic cunt!!! I hope this makes him so ill that he ends up leaving this earth...FUCK FACE!!! GOD I HATE THIS MAN WITH ALL MY HEART!

[Rock & Roll Hall of Game]

Well thank god he compromised with the Republicants.. Or we'd still be fighting over equality in the armed forces...

John McCain can lick rocks... He's an old bitter man... With no understanding on what's good for the Nation.. He'd prolly would have said that after the slaves were freed or when schools were desegregated... He's a tool who lives in the 1850s

[DJ Y2K Malone™]

The republicans are the ones that block everything and would have blocked that too..

All of this can be used against them..

And I'm not sure how it works with the 99ers.. I'm not sure how many dems are for more extensions..

true indeed but the Democrats held the majority and they did nothing they waited to the last minute I love Obama but it's sad to say that he will be a one term president the repubs are gonna make sure of that no matter how many Americans get hurt

[Rock & Roll Hall of Game]

true indeed but the Democrats held the majority and they did nothing they waited to the last minute I love Obama but it's sad to say that he will be a one term president the repubs are gonna make sure of that no matter how many Americans get hurt

Not if his opponent is Sarah Palin.. I could see Obama being a 2-term president... No other demo--- well Hilary Clinton would look great in the white house :-D

[DJ Y2K Malone™]

Not if his opponent is Sarah Palin.. I could see Obama being a 2-term president... No other demo--- well Hilary Clinton would look great in the white house :-D

Sarah Palin has no chance the Republican party thinks she's a joke and she's milking her fame for money only which i wouldn't blame her the Republican party want NickMitt Romney

[DJ Y2K Malone™]

Mitt Romney not Nick

[Rock & Roll Hall of Game]

She is the biggest joke... But she could run.. And lose... Mitt Rodney? Eww

I think the republs are screwed..

[Xtraordinary Xternal]

:mellow:

[Rock & Roll Hall of Game]

:mellow:

problem?

[henrietta.]

Thanks to that Republican Cabin Party and the judge that ordered for the discharges to stop months ago. If it was truly left up to Obama, it would have ended around this time next year.

[Rock & Roll Hall of Game]

Thanks to that Republican Cabin Party and the judge that ordered for the discharges to stop months ago. If it was truly left up to Obama, it would have ended around this time next year.

as long as he signs... he can only do so much any how

[henrietta.]

He wasn't in a rush to do anything for it this year. He was gonna wait until the last month to touch it.