(Soldier comes out to his father on Youtube after DADT repeal)
Today Don't Ask Don't Tell, the Department of Defense's backward policy on homosexuality, is no more. And no, the world didn't end.
One of the gay (and proud to be so) service members heavily profiled in the media today is stationed in New Jersey:
On Tuesday, as the 17-year-old "don't ask, don't tell" policy goes away, so does J.D. Smith, the name a 25-year-old Air Force officer assumed to shield his identity as he engaged in high-wire activism that could have crashed down on his career. Even if no one asks, Air Force First Lt. Joshua David Seefried is telling.
"It's all about leading now," Seefried told The Associated Press as he prepared to come out to his superiors, put a picture of his Air Force pilot boyfriend on his office desk and update his personal Facebook profile to reflect his sexual orientation. "Those are things I feel like I should do because I guess that is what a leader would do. If we all stay in the closet and don't act brave, then the next generation won't have any progress."
At Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, Seefried works in finance, oversees a staff of 20 and is attached to the 87th Air Base Wing. Twice this year, he was set to deploy to the Middle East, and felt conflicted when his orders were canceled only because going overseas would have put J.D. Smith out of commission. A handful of friends at work know he is gay. Only one knows about OutServe, the underground network for gay military personnel he co-founded last year.
Give credit where credit is due. Who would have thought that the lame duck congressional session would be so productive and bring important benefits to NJ? Not me. I still wish that several months ago President Obama had drawn a line in the sand against keeping the same low tax rate for the very wealthy and providing them with an unconscionable break on estate taxes. However, look at what in a very short period he has accomplished. After the elections the Republicans remained the party of NO threatening obstruction against all manner of bills. Then we found out that Obama was able to resucitate the duck and it took off in flight.
After a 17-year roller coaster of uncertainty, Republican antipathy, and valiant efforts of supporters, the Senate today did us proud. Its members overcame a filibuster and will shortly vote to repeal the injurious, unworkable Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Kudos to our two NJ senators who supported the repeal.
It was long overdue. Public opinion polls, the President, the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff, members of the armed forces and even some Republicans were ready to move forward. Before the vote to limit debate, Senator Lieberman said, "Removing legalized discrimination is an American value." The vote was 63-33.
Having ended the filibuster, the Senate is expected to formally vote on DADT later today. The House already passed the bill earlier this week. For procedural reasons the repeal will not take effect until at least 60 days.
This will be a companion diary to Bill's excellent post this morning. We wrote our posts at the same time, so this one was held until after Bill's. - REE
As expected, New Jersey's congressional delegation split along party lines in yesterday's historic stand-alone vote to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the wildly misnamed, ineffective and exclusionary rule that has governed the United States Armed Forces since 1993 during the Clinton administration. The policy was never fair, and it never worked. Theoretically it restricted the military from efforts to discover or reveal closeted gay, lesbian, and bisexual servicemembers or applicants, while at the same time barring those who are openly gay, lesbian, or bisexual from military service.
It is time for this rollercoaster nightmare to end and there to be justice for the LGBT community which serves so bravely but precariously in our armed forces. Only through a successful Senate vote during the current lameduck session does it appear likely that our New Jersey LGBT service men and women will be granted the respect, courtesy and rights due to them.
It seems every day in December is a big day for legislatures as they work to finish up business for the year. Here's the significant news of the day from New Jersey's Members of Congress.
A minority of Republican senators blocked the Defense Authorization Act. Senator Lautenberg tells it like it is:
"Senate Republicans refuse to even begin debating a repeal of the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy. The other side has run out of excuses. Eliminating 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is the right thing to do and would ensure that our military policy reflects the values of our nation.
"The fact that Republican Senators are willing to hold up a bill that provides vital resources to our troops and ends discrimination in our military is deplorable. I will continue working to pass a Defense Authorization bill that provides our military with the equipment and services they need while also bringing an end to discrimination within the ranks."
Of course, Democrats letting Republicans takes "hostages" will go on as long as our Senators and our President let them. Why did they add DADT to the bill if they give up anyway? What was the point?
More below on the Anthrax investigation, water supplies for the Delaware River Basin, 9/11 Responders, and Iran.
We now have both debates available on video, both below.
A few observations: Lance goes - many times - to the dusty GOP tactic of mentioning Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as though she's some kind of demi-witch, just in time for Halloween, with evil intentions that well-meaning Republicans must protect America from. It's quite overdone, and in the News 12 debate, Potosnak finally calls him on it, and reminds him of who he's actually running against and who he's not. The DADT conversation is interesting; Lance voted against the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell (he rates only 38% Human Rights Campaign's scorecard). On the War question, Potosnak is unequivocal, a very clear position. Lance uses the opportunity to claim bi-partisanship with Obama, and try and trump Potosnak by showing off an incumbent congressman's access to classified briefings. Not too subtle. Also interesting is how assertive, aggressive even, he is toward Lance's record on several issues, particularly on economic issues. More than a few times, particularly in the News12 debate where the candidates are sitting 2 feet apart, Potosnak stared him down. Lance is good on his feet, a consummate speaker, but several times he appeared rattled and angry.
For the rest of this, frankly, I feel too close to this race (it's my District, and I helped bring Democracy for America (DFA) into the race, full disclosure) to be objective. So, Blue Jersey, I'd be interested in what you think. Of both debates.
NJ-7 Debate, sponsored by News 12 New Jersey 10/20/10
The only other debate (just 2 days earlier) is very different, and you can watch it after the jump. So, jump:
The relentless and unprecedented obstructionism of the Senate minority claimed a new victim Tuesday, as 43 Senators denied a historic opportunity to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
Tuesday's vote to obstruct debate of the National Defense Authorization Act - which also has the effect of blocking such priorities as preventing military suicides and increasing military pay - continues to delay the inevitable day when this policy ends and gay men and women will be able to serve openly in our armed forces. It would be best for our nation that we end Don't Ask Don't Tell sooner, not later.
Overturning Don't Ask, Don't Tell is not simply about providing equal rights. It's about preventing the hemorrhage of critical military talent from an already-overstretched American military engaged in two wars. When I travel to meet American servicemen and women in the war theater, no one discusses their personal lives. Nobody should because it doesn't matter. What matters is what they are doing to complete their missions and that they come home safely.
The real question is why are we depriving our armed forces of some of their most important resources? Why are we discharging skilled Arabic linguists, fighter pilots, and weapons officers? Why have we discharged more than 13,000 service members since 1994?
Is it because it would damage morale, as some continue to argue? In fact, gays have served in our military since the American Revolution. The supposed 'damaged morale' didn't lead to our losing to the Redcoats or surrendering to the Germans in two World Wars. Allowing gay Americans to serve openly won't weaken morale in our armed forces.
There is no good reason for this policy to continue, as leaders like Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen have made clear.
Just as President Truman was right to desegregate the Armed Forces more than half a century ago, it is time we ensure that LGBT soldiers finally can serve openly.
Last night the House voted for the compromise measure, a pathway for the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT), a stupid discriminatory piece of legislation that actually weakened national security and perhaps only made the radical religious fascists in America sleep better. Well, maybe not the self hating closeting among them.
All NJ House Democrats voted for the repeal. All NJ House Republicans, yes even the so-called "moderates", voted to keep DADT in place.
Okay, this has been bouncing around in my head for a couple of days now. I really just have to post it because it just looks like so damned much fun. This is the guys from Delta Lambda Phi Rutgers Colony, on Rutgers Day last weekend - their first - with a Lady Gaga mashup. The politics chaser was a surprise, and it comes in the last few seconds ...
Please join me in calling our Senators to urge them to repeal the military's so called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that discriminates against gays and lesbians who want to serve their country in the US Military.
I'll spare you the reasons why discrimination sucks and simply remind you that this issue demands your urgent attention.
Lautenberg's contant info is (202)-224-3224
Menendez is at (202)-224-4744.
Timing is everything in Washington and now is the time to light a fire under our Senators to vote AND to fight to repeal this retrograde policy.
Last week I joined my colleague Senator Shirley Turner and introduced the Assembly version of SR36 / AR 55, which urges Congress to repeal the federal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," (DADT) policy against allowing gays and lesbians to serve in our nation's armed forces. I did this because I believe as an American, DADT discourages capable young men and women from otherwise serving their country. And, this is a matter that affects our national security since we are eliminating a group of persons who are otherwise willing to serve and protect us here and abroad. The policy does not make sense. Moreover, the NJ State legislature has from time to time, passed Resolutions of equal worth urging Congress to take action on one national bill or another. In this regard, we have a unique opportunity to express our views on this issue which impacts New Jerseyans serving in all branches of the military, including our New Jersey Army and Air National Guard units.
I understand however, that Progressives genuinely and understandably were hurt by being left at the altar with the defeat of the marriage initiative. This is especially so when promises were made to the community and there was a claimed 24 votes to be had in the Senate (and only 14 materialized). However, the Resolution to repeal DADT, not only gives us another opportunity to 1) support a worthwhile progressive cause; 2) continue a state dialogue on gay and lesbian issues; but also and more importantly, 3) engage that dialogue with members of the legislature who were not with us on the Marriage Equality vote. Although Senator Turner, did not support the marriage bill, she voted for the Domestic Partnership legislation and the Civil Unions bill. Her desire to be apart of the continued dialogue with the progressive community should be encouraged, not shouted down.
Congressman Scott Garrett appeared yesterday on the Brian Lehrer show. They played a clip of President Obama talking about how the focus should be on jobs and small businesses. Garrett said he does not support the $30 million being repaid from TARP funds going to small businesses. He said it's not designed as a slush fund for any goals the administration comes up with. He said if it wasn't from TARP to spend $30 million for a targeted program to hire new employees, he couldn't support that type of program either because you're picking winners and losers.
Garrett said lets just cut corporate taxes across the board and let them make decisions on what to do. Lehrer asked if Garrett was aware SEC allowed the 5 big investment banks to double their leverage ratios and take on increased risk because he was on the committee at the time in 2004. Garrett said he wasn't sure, but would check and that even if they knew, they were focused on other things.
On Don't ask don't tell, Garrett called it a side issue. He said it would not be one of his priorities and he wouldn't be signing onto a bill because it doesn't need to be addressed at this point. Even if the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Defense Secretary and Chairman of Marines say it can be done, he would probably still vote against it.
Finally, they got to the GOP retreat. Garrett bemoaned the fact that they are being called the party of no because he gave them proposals. He said they have had ideas, the President just thinks they are bad and that the exchange at the retreat was really just an acknowledgement that the GOP has ideas.
For those who believe, as I do, that "Don't Ask Don't Tell" is a horribly misguided and discriminatory policy that has done a great disservice to our armed forces, this has been a remarkable week.
During his State of the Union address, President Obama reiterated his intent to end the 17-year-old policy, leading to a standing ovation that included Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Yesterday, at a Senate hearing, Secretary Gates said "I fully support the president's decision" and announced a working group to produce an implementation plan for repeal. At the same hearing, Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff made a strong appeal for repeal, saying that "allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do." The current policy, he said, "forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens."
In 2006, John McCain said, "the day that the leadership of the military comes to me and says, 'Senator, we ought to change the policy,' then I think we ought to consider seriously changing it because those leaders in the military are the ones we give the responsibility."
At yesterday's hearing, he said he was disappointed in their testimony. Apparently, the advice of military leadership doesn't count for much now.
It should be evident that it is a matter of when, not if, DADT is repealed and gay men and women will be able to serve openly in our armed forces. I hope we see that day sooner, not later.
Overturning Don't Ask, Don't Tell is not simply about providing equal rights. It's about preventing the hemorrhage of critical military talent from an already-overstretched American military engaged in two wars. When I travel to the Middle East to meet American servicemen and women in the war theater, no one discusses their personal lives. Nobody should because it doesn't matter. What matters is what they are doing to complete their missions and strengthen American security.
The real question is why are we depriving our armed forces of some of their most important resources? Why are we discharging skilled Arabic linguists, fighter pilots, and weapons officers? Why have we discharged more than 13,000 service members since 1994?
There is no good reason, as Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen made clear.
This week's developments are encouraging, but, although Executive Branch action would be good, what is needed is Congressional action that would make equality the law. The bill I support - sponsored by my colleague Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania, a Veteran of the War in Iraq - has more than 180 cosponsors. We should not wait to pass it.
No one would agree to deprive our military of ammunition or armor, so why deprive it of its greatest necessity, highly talented servicemen and women?
Hearings were held in the Senate yesterday on repealing don't ask, don't tell in the Military. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff testified and made his belief clear:
"It is my personal belief that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do," Mullen said. "We have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens. For me, personally, it comes down to integrity - theirs as individuals and ours as institutions," Mullen added.
I could not agree more, but Republicans complained that he was not letting the military do a fair review. Defense Secretary Gates said he wants a yearlong review of the policy:
Both Gates and Mullen pleaded with lawmakers for time to implement the repeal, but also stressed that a final decision rests with Congress. They noted the law cannot be repealed through executive action.
Should Congress approve new legislation repealing the law, Gates urged lawmakers to give the military at least a year to implement it.
For his part, Senator Lautenberg doesn't want any more delays and put out this statement saying he wants to see the policy end now:
"No American should be barred from serving in our military simply because of their sexual orientation," stated Lautenberg, an Army veteran. "It is time to recognize the incredible sacrifices being made by all of America's military men and women and the future contributions that will be made if we end the discriminatory 'don't ask, don't tell' policy. Repealing 'don't ask, don't tell' is the right thing to do and I will fight to see this outdated policy overturned."
Senator Carl Levin suggested that the 2011 defense authorization bill might be a way to implement a moratorium of the law until it is repealed. He offered concern that the Pentagon wouldn't make the change fast enough. To Mullen's statement, it seems like the opposite of how things should work when you have organization that is built on duty and honor, yet force the soldiers to violate that honor and conceal their true identity, so that people can feel more comfortable about things. At a time when we need the best and the brightest, we're limiting the field of candidates in order to accommodate and perpetuate a continued fear. It's also insulting to the soldiers themselves to have enough faith in them that they can defend our freedoms, but can't handle knowing their fellow soldier is gay.
Most of the talk surrounding what to do about Don't ask, don't tell has centered around what the Obama White House hasn't done. The fact is, Congress hasn't taken action either to fix the problem either, but Congressman Pat Murphy is being joined by Congressmen Holt, Andrews and Pallone to change that. Their bill would repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell:
H.R.1283 Title: To amend title 10, United States Code, to enhance the readiness of the Armed Forces by replacing the current policy concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces, referred to as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", with a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Congressman Holt had hoped in May that the bill would move to the House floor by the 4th holiday. They have 152 co-sponsors of the legislation. He also said that there are members who have said they will vote for the legislation, but can't co-sponsor it. Congressman Murphy talked about the need for the legislation and the change in the law:He said we have let go of over 13,000 troops because of DADT. He said an Act of Congress put the bill into law, and it will be Congress's job to fix that mistake. This is how Congressman Murphy put it during the interview and I don't know that there is much more that I can add:
It's doesn't matter if you're in conservative district or a liberal district, if you're an American you should believe in equality. You should believe in that oath that we all take as an army officer, that we take as a Congressman to support and defend the constitution of the United States. And that constitution guarantees equality for everybody. When you're in Baghdad in 138 degree heat, like I was exactly 6 years ago, when you're that guy to the left or your right or that young woman to your left or your right, the fact is you don't care what their sexual orientation is, you don't care what their race is, what their religion is, their creed is. You care if they can fire an M4 assault rifle, whether they can kick down a door. That's what this is about.
Over at TPM Cafe, Representative Rush Holt has a post about overturning Don't Ask Don't Tell, which continues to drive talented and patriotic Americans out of the military:
I know the President does not support the current discriminatory policy. He stated so plainly in a handwritten note to another Army officer dismissed under the current policy that he inherited --2nd Lt. Sandy Tsao. This is a situation where the President needs the help of Congress in correcting this policy. I am an original cosponsor of a bill (H.R. 1283) that would overturn Don't Ask, Don't Tell. We have 140 cosponsors on this bill at the moment, more than enough to justify moving it expeditiously through the House Committee on Armed Services and to the House floor before the July Fourth holiday.
It seems to me that the President is moving slowly to gain the support of the generals and avoid a disaster like Bill Clinton's, but Holt shows there is enough support in Congress to act now.
