From the LA Times:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced late Wednesday that the Senate will proceed with votes in the lame-duck session on two Democratic priority issues repealing the ban on gays serving openly in the military, and legislation to allow a path to citizenship for young illegal immigrants.
Holy shit.
More below the fold.
Wow. I am shocked. Stunned. Flabbergasted. Amazing. Harry Reid shows some spine, flexes some muscle and takes a stand. When I read this on the front page of dailykos today, I couldn't believe it. Finally, democrats stepping up and saying "we will not compromise on equality". It gives me a fuzzy feeling inside that I can't quite describe. I am extremely happy that Senator Reid decided against pulling repeal out of the NDAA and trying to put it through as a stand alone bill. He knows that that would be the end of repeal for at least two years, if not four. This is a brilliant move on the Majority Leader's part.
Not only did the Majority Leader show strength on DADT repeal, he also doubled down on the DREAM act, which came as a surprise to many as well. I would have felt terrible, as an observer of this process, if DADT repeal was kept and the DREAM act thrown out the window. I believe that would have been a step backward for equality. The Senator from Nevada was too smart to fall for that though. He wants both because he knows the democratic party wants both.
Which leads me to my next point, I don't think any of this would have been possible without action from the progressive community. I think we have been key to sending not only Senator Reid a message, but Senators Carl Levin and John McCain a message as well. Good progressives are tired of equality being used as a bargaining chip. Not just good progressives, good citizens. Harry Reid heard that message loud and clear, and it shows. DADT was all but dead not 24 hours ago. Amazing.
Its time for the bigots in the senate to choose which camp they fall in. Do they fall in line with the homophobes who want to see this policy extended indefinitely into the future, or do they stand with the troops? No longer can these out of touch politicians have the choice to have it both ways. Harry Reid is looking to play this game to win, and force the senators who don't support repeal into a corner.
DADT will eventually go the way of the beta video player and the 8 track, that much is certain. The question, once again, is how long? Harry Reid wants to see this policy dead, right here, right now. And I stand with him. He sees the necessity to pass this repeal, no matter how its perceived around the beltway. That takes courage, guts, and integrity. I am so glad that he is still the majority leader of the senate.
But, the fight for equality in our Armed Forces is not over yet. The bill will be included in the NDAA, but who knows if it will pass. Not only do we need the support of all of the Democrats, but we need the support of several republicans as well. There is still action to be taken and work to be done. Please, if you can spare a minute, will you stand with Senator Harry Reid and send a message to congress? It will only take a second, and it may mean the difference in the fight for equality.
There are forces conspiring right now in Washington to kill repeal, and keep in place the policy that has shattered thousands of lives, and affected the country in way that no other law since the old segregation laws were in place in the United States. They want to sustain the status quo, for different reasons: some want to placate their bigoted base, some want to run for the hills away from repeal, and some simply are bigots who don't concern themselves with the complaints of the "second class". For whatever reason, they stand in the way. We must take action, right now, to ensure that the bigots don't win.
Like I said, I stand with Majority Leader Harry Reid. I stand with GLB service men and women. I stand with equality for all. Do you?
Please, call and email your senators, the White House, Senator Harry Reid (Be sure to say THANK YOU!), Senator Carl Levin, and Senator John McCain tomorrow first thing.
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
If you have other ways that we can take action on DADT repeal, please post them here and I will update my list. Thanks!