Friday, May 28, 2010
It's Congress, Bitches
Okay so thanks to Americablog Gay, for the benefit of the many who seem not to have actually read the thing, here is the actual goddamn text of the amendment that was passed by the House yesterday, 234-194, and which assorted I'm-too-fucking-liberal-for-my-shirt bloggers are losing their shit about, and Dan Choi - who I've admired up till now - is going on a hunger strike to protest:
dadtlanguage
It's awful late here in Texas and I'm late for the bed as it is, so I'll keep my rant short. But the thing is, guys, this is like totally major fucking progress. And anybody who doesn't think so needs their silly ass kicked hard by a great big army boot.
The military needs to do their study and will do their study before any fucking thing changes. Hell, babies, the military doesn't send out for morning coffee without doing a 10-page Needs Assessment. In quadruplicate. Anal retentive? Constipated as hell? Sure, but that's the reality of the military, and nobody in this universe is ever going to wave a magic wand and have it happen any differently.
When Truman - a man with great big balls and not afraid to make tough decisions - ordered the Armed Forces to desegregate in 1948, the last desegregated units were not phased out until 1954 - six years later.
So I say, patience all around is what the world needs now, not tantrums. It's not immediate repeal, but if the Senate passes the measure and the President signs it into law, it will make repeal the officially stated goal and policy of the United States Government. Is that so bad? Really?
So be happy, bitches, and get over your right-now-this-minute mad. It's not helping.
And BTW have you really and truly forgotten that just a year and a half ago we were all living in the dark, stinking night of the Bush regime? Have you forgotten how utterly hopeless today's vote was in that long eight years of Republican rule? Do you also understand there's a midterm election in November, and the Republicans may well regain control of one or both houses of Congress? And just what in the hell do you think will happen to all the gay-rights legislation then, hmm?
Wake up and smell the latte before history runs right over your heads, people.
Labels:
Barack Obama,
Congress,
DADT,
Dan Choi,
gay military,
get a grip
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11 comments:
Russ, I think the young ones just don't know how it was, and want what they want immediately. Politics is a slow process that depends on making allies and changing minds gradually.
Yup, you are so right Sebastian. There's a time to shout and demonstrate, and a time to just shut up and sit down instead of acting like a spoiled brat.
I also suspect Envy is at work: "I" didn't make it happen, so "I'm" going to be all upset now, you know?
One step at a time.
Russ, I'm not a young one, but really, the military has been dragging its feet for years. Just a stall tactic.
No change was ever effected by just sitting down and shutting up. If you and I really believed that, we woudn't be bloggin'.
And the process could take years. I'm not comforted by the fact that it took years to integrate the military in Truman's day.
I happen to disagree a little here buddy, but I'm not going to call people names....
It's just as much your privilege to disagree with anybody as it is mine, Tom. But if the shoe fits, wear it.
If you have a magic wand in your back pocket, pull it out and use it now, bud. Otherwise, what exactly is your point? The President and the Secretary of Defense and the CJCS are all on board; the Democratic leadership of the Congress are making the votes happen. What more do you want in the real world?
There is no dictator, no king, no fuhrer in this country who can do any more than this. So deal with it, is what I say, and give the process a little time to work.
freedom and liberty are hard won. it took three generations of colonists plus and a war for our country to become an autonomous nation. they didn't just move here and start a new country.it took a civil war to free Black slaves and a century later, it took my whole life time to go from segregated negros to a black president. it took over 200 years from the beginning of the womens sufferage movements to finally see the right to vote become law in this country. and now it is out time as gay americans, and world citizens. no it won't happen fast, and no we shouldn't just sit back and shut up...but chose your battles.. don't attack something that is moving in your favor because it is not where you want it to be yet.
when i was in high school, long before DADT i knew of someone dishonorably discharged from the military for sexual perversion because he was merely suspected gay. his life was vertually ruined if he wanted to make a livingas this record would follow him everywhere. woman who once had the right to vote early on had that right taken from them by certain states in the early 1800's because the women were becoming too vocal.
push hard where needed, and put gentle pressure where needed, or as with anything ..you can break it.
Very well said, MP.
That is great news, Russ. I think you comments were right on, I am in agreement with you.
Peace - Mark
Yes, slow steps - but which former president, exactly, would have proclaimed GLBT Pride month...?!
Clinton did a couple of times, I believe. Bush, never.
You are too patient. Nothing ever happened by being too satisfied. No magic wand. Just hard work and keeping leaders to task. I've been studying this closely. I maintain that there is nothing to be too enthused about yet. This "review" could take years...and suppose the "conclusion" turns out to be not what we had hoped?
Will discharges cease in the meantime? Nothing to suggest they will. And so, nothing has changed.
What I want to know is what is the process we are waiting for? Tjere's no time line, no guarantee....
This law could have been repealed already....I am sick of waiting for us to be accorded what others take too much for granted. And so I exerecise my right to be impatient, because if we don't we are simply placated...
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