Why are we already announcing the death of DADT repeal? The bill hasn't even hit the floor yet, and we've got multiple recommended diaries plus front page articles minus a single call to action for what could be the single most vital moment in the repeal effort:
"The next 12 to 36 hours are critical to repeal of ‘Don’t Ask’; important conversations on moving the defense bill are happening now." –Army veteran Aubrey Sarvis [director of Servicemembers United]
If you've never made a phone call, or sent an email, the time to do it is NOW. Repeatedly. And ask your friends and family to join in.
Because while we aren't, they are. And people like Sen. Levin are listening.
Levin's comments have people dispirited, as have recent comments by Command. Gen. Amos: but Reid says he wants to keep repeal in the bill, the White House is on the record opposing a defense bill without it, and Mullen is still behind this.
The next day or so is BIG, and we have multiple organizations joining forces to barrage Congress...
They need us, too.
We have the sixty votes to pass the repeal. That's why we need it included in the Defense Authorization Act, and why this moment is so critical.
On keeping DADT repeal in the bill, we need to call/write/email
--Harry Reid (D-NV) - (202) 224-3542
--Carl Levin (D-MI) (especially!) - (202) 224-6221
Levin, especially.
And for the vote itself:
--Susan Collins (R-ME) - (202) 224-2523
--Olympia Snowe (R-ME) - (202) 224-5344
--Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) - (202) 224-2353
--Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark) - (202) 224-4843
--Richard Lugar (R-IN) - (202) 224-4814
--Judd Gregg (R-NH) - (202) 224-3324
--Scott Brown (R-MA) - (202) 224-4543
--George Voinovich (R-OH) - (202) 224-3353
--Kit Bond (R-MO) - (202) 224-5721
--Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) - (202) 224-6665
And while you're at it, the two immediately-seated Senators Kirk and Manchin could use a few phone calls, too.
Or cast your net more widely. From SLDN:
Call both your senators at the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and urge them to:
- Stop using gay and lesbian service members as political pawns.
- Stand up for national security and all our troops.
- Pass the defense bill during the Senate’s lame-duck session in December.
Yes, they'll hem and haw, but they need to hear that this is not just a passing issue. Conservatives have dominated this conversation, and our Senators need to know that this is JUST as important to us as it is to them. Listen:
Concerned Women for America and the Traditional Values Coalition, which support the military ban, are expected to launch a counter-effort.
So there's that.
And if this fails, and DADT repeal isn't in the Defense Authorization Bill as presented, it can still be added as an amendment.
This is not over.
This thing is not dead.
But we need to FIGHT.
Huge thanks to zenbassoon for trying this earlier.