Hi.
Ill be brief, I promise this time.
"How much longer?" is a question that creates quite a bit of hay around here, and understandably so. Especially with policies that are as directly harmful and counter productive as DADT is. Most people don't really get what is so hard about repealing a policy that is archaic, has no rational basis in fact, and punishes people for absolutely nothing. Most people figure that getting rid of a law like that would be a piece of cake. They don't care about the excuses, they just want results. The political nuances and "conditions on the ground" are lost on most people. They could give a goddamn about the process, they just want to be rid of a law that embarrasses our troops around the world. With ending DADT, I understand this line of thinking, and find myself becoming more and more impatient.
So, once again, I come back to the question "How much longer?"
How much longer until my GLB brothers and sisters are allowed to defend their country with honor, integrity, human dignity and respect?
How much longer until people can stop pretending to be something they are not?
How much longer until the government sanctioned bigotry ends?
How much longer until we finally realize that justice delayed is justice denied?
How much longer until GLB servicemen and women can stand up with their peers and say "I am a soldier of the United States Military. My sexual orientation doesn't matter, my skills do"?
How much longer until the world stops seeing the United States of America as hypocritical homophobic assholes who don't live up to their own professed ideals?
How much longer until our politicians realize that equality is not a bargaining chip?
How much longer will resources go to waste?
How much longer will the bullying continue?
How much longer until our laws accurately represent the people who sanction their creation?
How much longer until the bleeding stops?
How much longer?
Mr. President, I voted for change. I voted for equality. I voted for Don't Ask, Don't tell to end. I didn't vote for it to be bargained away. I didn't vote for your support of the idea of repeal. By voting for you, and the party you represent I voted for repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. I voted for you, because I thought you understood that bigoted laws don't help anyone. I voted for you because I thought you would fight, Mr. President, fight as hard as you could. I voted for you cause I thought you understood. You, of all people, I thought you understood.
We are watching, sir. Watching, and waiting for you to come out swinging. For you to stand up and finally say "Its time for the bigotry to end", really commit to ending it, and, most importantly, ACT ON THAT COMMITMENT! I am not criticizing you Mr. President, I am making sure that you understand. I am making sure you understand where I am coming from, as a concerned citizen, as a human being, as an american. I implore you, sir, please don't give up. Please don't let the bigots convince you that equality is not worth it. They will say "Oh, what about the [recent political event], Mr. President? We can't do repeal right now". You have the power. You have the control. There are temporary remedies you can put in place to make sure the discharges end. Only you have the authority to suture this wound.
We must, as democrats, OWN the issue of repeal. We must embrace it, take it as our own. Not run away from equality, UNDERLINE IT. BOLD IT. PUT IT IN ALL CAPS. We are the party of equality and tolerance! We can change this world for the better. We can become a more diverse, more open, more progressive society. That is the message that resonates with me.
We are watching Mr. President, and waiting. Not for a "fierce" advocate, but for a true ally.
I hope that ally is you, sir. If not, we're fucked.
Thanks for letting me vent a little frustration.
Regular action stuff:
WH Contact Page & Phone
Phone: 202-456-1111
Contact Page here
Phone numbers and email addresses:
Senator John McCain, Republican-Arizona, Senate Armed Services Committee
Contact form here
Phone: (202) 224-2235
Senator Carl Levin, Democrat-Michigan, Senate Armed Services Committee
contact form here
Phone number: (202) 224-6221
a full list of Senators names and phone numbers can be found here
There are also numerous petitions that you can sign online to show solidarity with GLB servicemen and women
a couple from the Petition Site: here and here
Patrick Murphy's DADT Repeal Petition Page
Here is one from change.org
Sen. Gillibrand's Petition
Petition for Meghan McCain to talk to her father about DADT repeal here (h/t JesseCW)
Credo Action petition asking the President to end DADT using Executive order here