The Politics Thread

[Sylph]

Hanukkah in the White House criticism:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/11/us/politics/11hanukkah.html?_r=1

[Sylph]

http://www.torontosun.com/news/world/2010/12/05/16434996.html

[DaytimeFan]

David Cameron killed him. Ed Miliband is a joke.

[Sylph]

He really looks like a comedy act. And the fact that he has this weird gargle when he speeks isn't helping matters, at all.

[DRW50]

The Senate might be having a vote today on whether to have a vote on repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell. It looks like Harry Reid might have screwed it up again, although Republicans don't seem interested in repealing anyway. I don't think either party cares about repealing DADT. It suits their purposes to keep it around.

http://gay.americablog.com/

[bellcurve]

What concerns me most about the repeal of DADT is that the military already has a litany of issues that go unchecked by our federal government without adding our gay/lesbian soldiers to the list. War crimes, male to female sexual harassment/discrimination, etc. Alot of this is still being unreported by the mainstream media and more importantly, unreported by the victims of such crimes. Do we need to add our gay soldiers being violently beaten to death to the list by angry, homophobic mobs of people?

While I think it's unfair that gays can't serve openly in the military, I think it's better(at least for now) that they don't. Do I think a soldier who comes out should be fired or lose his benefits for doing so? Absolutely not. But I think, as homophobic as it is, I think it's really for everyone's protection that DADT not be repealed. The only way I see that ever happening is when there's a draft(not if, but when) and they don't have enough men serving in the military. And that would be a total nightmare. I can't imagine myself, out and proud, being forced to serve in the military with just such rude, bigoted assholes.

Edited December 9, 2010 by bellcurve

[DRW50]

I guess I tend to see this happening whether there's a DADT or not.

[DRW50]

Shockingly , the repeal failed to get enough votes.

http://gay.americablog.com/2010/12/breaking-loss-for-dadt-repeal-as-senate.html

I can't help agreeing with those who feel that Obama wants this policy to stay around, as does the Democratic Party, both because it's easier for them and also because they figure it will make activists blame Republicans and turn negative attention towards them.

What I hate most about this is how this basically validates McCain's bitterness and open contempt for everyone, including top military leaders, who do not parrot him. The media has also gone along with this. The media always seems to make sure they find, and broadcast, voices that will tell us all about the dangers of anything which is not anti-gay.

http://mediamatters.org/blog/201012010015

I also see that "moderate" Scott Brown voted against repeal. Big surprise there. I tend to remember him for his comments about gay parents, so anything else he does along these lines is just being true to what he's done all along.

Edited December 9, 2010 by CarlD2

[Sylph]

Edited December 13, 2010 by Sylph

[DRW50]

I would be surprised if Prince Philip had never said the word "arse"

Sen. Carl Levin speaks out about Obama's efforts, or lack of, on DADT.

http://gay.americablog.com/2010/12/levin-obama-not-doing-all-he-canshould.html#disqus_thread

[Sylph]

Gotta love that line! Prince might have, but the Queen – I wouldn't say she didn't, either, LOL!

Loved the text.

[alphanguy74]

I think thye just need to repeal it, and get it over with. If these military men don't have the emotional discipline to get over being naked in front of a gay man, then they need not be in the military. I had a boyfriend years ago who was an MP in the air force, and he had issues in being open. He wouldn't kiss me in public, etc (He wasn't in the military any more when I dated him) If Canada can handle it, then why can't WE?

[DRW50]

The House is voting on the standalone repeal at the moment. The Senate is where the problem will be, and where this would take a lot of work to actually pass.

SLDN is tweeting on the vote. I have to laugh at the far right Congressman who says that nations who have openly gay soldiers are crumbling -- those are most of our allies.

http://twitter.com/FreedomToServe

And here's the Marine commander basically saying that, I don't know, soldiers will lose their legs if they serve with openly gay soldiers?

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j2aGMFXuk0DUVjYib3Fs7g9IMCQA?docId=CNG.9d86bd1b9e1dcce9c1b3a0448d6af28b.a21

[DRW50]

Sen Wyden has prostate cancer.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/134135-wyden-to-miss-votes-due-to-cancer-treatment-complicating-lame-duck-schedule

[MichaelGL]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNDmKorWJn0

ABC News Article

So does Stewart have a point on the media's coverage of the 9/11 Responders healthcare bill?