So, Don is this guy I knew. We used to hang out at K bar a lot and had common interests. He talked about communism and expressed his anger at the system. I had pretty much been in politics all my life, and came from a much more conservative background. I don’t think he’s really happy with this current tax deal. He and I would be on either side of this pie fight at the Dkos community right now.
But Bernie Sanders gave me an idea.
Now, hold on Don. I know you want to bite my head off. I know you know I’ve got some pie-in-the-sky dreams. But, you know, there are people fighting and dying for their country that don’t have equal rights. And according to Lieberman (of all people), DADT is still up for a vote in the Lame Duck. So what do Bernie Sanders and our fight have to do with DADT?
I’m pretty sure, you and I, Don, agree on DADT repeal. We know this opinion is shared across a broad spectrum of the Democratic Party. But it’s not enough that we have a coalition around this issue. So I’m suggesting we pull a Bernie Sanders: put the Senate vote on DADT on display.
We do it, and we hold people accountable for their decisions on the Senate floor. And, because of Bernie, it’s way easier than it sounds. Think of it as another front opening up. One of the many reasons the original congress functioned was the power of good debate. Not sound bites, but making a case with protracted oratory. And he opened the door for a whole new communications medium: the great role of the Senate plays in our democracy.
So, here’s the deal. I’m not suggesting that we get our expectations too high. But over the next two years, the public will watch the legislators apeak when big decisions are made in the United States Senate. It's like reality tv. For the next two years, under this new accountability, the Senate floor is now open to the public.
Who supports our brothers and sisters in armed uniform? Who will speak on the Senate floor on their behalf? And who will be opposed to their service, not based on merit, but on sexual orientation? And who would not thank them for saving their lives in the line of fire?
I'm not asking thaat you an I to set aside our important differences, but I intend to watch the Senate vote on DAT and participate, like never before, in the live blog online. Even if most of it is a boring roll call, this stuff will be live-blogged on a whole new level. They must be held accountable. Why are the Republicans speaking out in opposition to so many generals and former generals?
I leave you with this. I watched the old Hindenburg disaster footage and heard the reporter cry "oh the humanity." In a more civilized time, we would humbly thank these men and women for their service to our country.