Obama signs 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal

[onehandle]

Source: AP



WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says valor and sacrifice in the armed forces are no longer defined by sexual orientation.

Obama spoke Wednesday morning at the Interior Department as he prepared to sign a landmark law ordering America's armed services to let homosexuals serve openly for the first time. Surrounded by senior military officials and members of Congress, Obama said he is proud to sign the bill, which he says will strengthen national security.

The change won't be immediate, however. The bill requires the military service chiefs to complete implementation plans before lifting the old "don't ask, don't tell" policy — and certify to lawmakers that it won't damage combat readiness, as critics charge

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_gays_in_military

[bushisanidiot]

1. Oh YES WE DID!!!

He said he'd do it, and dammit, he DID!

I'll call him a fierce advocate for getting it done in less than two years!!

Thank you, President Obama and Speaker Pelosi!!!!!!

[bitchkitty]

13. This is a very good thing.

Except that I don't know how you can call him a "fierce advocate" of repeal. A fierce advocate for a cause doesn't play politics, and would never have had his Justice Department appeal the decision to strike down DADT.

[JDPriestly]

70. It would have been very foolish to let this case go to the Supreme Court

so that they could rule that gays and lesbians are not an immutable class and do not deserve equal protection. And the Catholic Mafia, Scalia, Alito, Thomas, Roberts and Kennedy are plenty brainwashed enough to go that way.

[Cherchez la Femme]

82. You can't

He jumped on his 'Bully Pulpit' just short of 2 1/2 hours prior to the vote to make a statement saying how DADT should be repealed, plenty of time to know how many votes were to be cast -- the perfect display of triangulation.
Downright cowardly, in fact.

But at least he signed it.
As for how long until it's 'implemented', who knows?

Only thing I can see that needs "implementing" is to simply stop kicking gays & lesbians out of the Armed Services!

As a wise woman said: "It's not rocket surgery" :)

[tblue37]

101. I read somewhere that discharging people for being gay was halted in October. nt

[JDPriestly]

73. I congratulate Obama and Congress on this good work.

Of course, the devil's in the details, but Obama came through for the right policy on this one. It may take years before this law is reality.

[Grateful for Hope]

108. Yes we did!

[myrna minx]

2. What a wonderful day.

:woohoo:

[Demeter]

3. A Fig Leaf, Insufficient to Cover The Crimes and Corruption

[JTFrog]

10. .

[shawn703]

22. Interesting photo

Since Obama has indeed moved the goalposts from the left to the right. This is indeed "Change" that corporate America can get behind, since they care more about their bottom line than they do about the orientation of the servicemembers who die to protect their profits.

[AllyCat]

23. Hit the nail on the head with that.

This is indeed a victory, but the only reason we got it so that corporate America has more people to fight their wars. This legislation didn't cost them a thing.

[Richardo]

35. For Christ's sake

:eyes:

If that's the reason the repeal happened, why did our omnipotent corporate masters let DADT go into effect in the first place?

[AllyCat]

38. Didn't have the power before.

[Richardo]

40. True - I remember 1993, when corporate America consisted of nothing but mom and pop hardware stores

:eyes:

[RZM]

92. +1

Well done :)

[MilesColtrane]

98. Yes, I believe that was before the "lobbyist" was invented.

And, corporate campaign contributions only consisted of rocks fashioned into shiny beads...

[AllyCat]

132. We also were not involved in 2 different expensive wars for profit

that might actually need more soldiers. But then, the economy is providing plenty of cannon fodder for that too.

[shellgame26]

43. Don't waste your energy on people addicted to misery

Didn't take long for the whiners to start again.

[RZM]

93. That's truly ridiculous spin there

You've got your work cut out for you if you want to argue that it wasn't cultural factors that enabled the ending of DADT.

[AllyCat]

130. I'm not saying that at all.

We have fought for this for a long time and it is great this has happened. I just don't trust the corporatocracy at all. It's terrible that we can have equality for sending people off to wars for the corporations, but not here at home. That's another issue.

[JTFrog]

34. So you would have prefered DADT not be repealed? n/t

[shawn703]

47. I support the repeal

I am just not buying that this is as much of a progressive victory as it is a corporate one. I think George Carlin once opined that if there was money to be made by housing and feeding the homeless, you would see the streets of America cleaned up pretty damn quick. It is simply more profitable for corporate America to have more people dying for their profits than less.

It's for this reason that I think marijuana legalization will eventually happen once they figure out how to prevent the average citizen from growing their own crop, forcing them to buy from the pharmaceutical, alcohol and tobacco companies (whoever decides they need a cut of profits by selling it themselves before allowing their Congresscritters to support it.) Would that be a progressive victory or corporate one?

[vduhr]

48. WTF?

I agree. What has happened to DU? I logged on and the first thing I find is the anti-Obama whiners. I had to take a close look to be sure I wasn't on a freeper board.

How many times have I read posts of whiners saying Obama has not done anything, including repealing DADT, then when it gets repealed, they whine about that? Again I say...WTF?????

[shawn703]

59. I consider myself anti-corporate, not anti-Obama

I support progressive populist legislation where the intended purpose is to benefit the American people, NOT the American corporations. If the only purpose of our military was to defend our country, I would be cheerleading just like everyone else today. When Obama starts representing the best interests of the people first and foremost, and throws the lobbyists for corporate interests out on their asses and shuts them out of any decision making processes when it comes to legislation, the tone of my posts would naturally become more pro-Obama.

[vduhr]

65. and I consider myself pro-choice.

As I said below in another post, this is about choice. Not YOUR choice, THEIR choice - their choice to serve, regardless of how you feel about what that choice might entail. Would you prefer that Don't Ask Don't Tell not be repealed?

[shawn703]

67. I answered this in post #47 NT

[vduhr]

49. The photo depends upon...

which side of the field you're standing on. Perspective can be a powerful thing.

[rhett o rick]

75. The Corp-Cabal uses issues like DADT to distract. It's about time for the immigration problem to

raise it's ugly head.

[tootrueleft]

4. Brilliant! And about time too.

[kenfrequed]

5. I like good news.

Sure it took awhile, but that does not diminish my happiness for this getting done.

Way to go Mr President. Please, please, please keep it up!

[titaniumsalute]

6. ...and he's getting almost no credit in the liberal media

Very big day for all. Great work Obama.

[No Elephants]

30. ? He signed it shortly before you posted.

[Bragi]

7. yay! GBLT people now able to openly serve MIC death machine

I support the equality aspect, but as an anti-war person, I'm indifferent/ambivalent to a new policy that allows GBLT people to openly serve in the death squads sent abroad by the MIC.

[handmade34]

16. you do not have to support war

to see the tremendous history in this moment... I am joyous, not because of the military aspect, but because we are a leap closer to greater human rights...

[Bragi]

20. Greater human rights? Really?

Ending discrimination against any group that is victimized by discrimination is always a good thing from a human rights perspective, but when equality is applied so as to allow equal access to careers in a violent organization that is a global threat to human rights, and that is used to suppress human rights, then my feelings are conflicted, and I'm less than celebratory about it.

[No Elephants]

31. They've always served in what you call the death machine. They can stop lying now, is all.

[PavePusher]

44. That's a pretty vile accusation. You should wash that filth out of your mouth. n/t

[Bragi]

56. Have you something substantive you'd like to say? /nt

[PavePusher]

95. I think I made my point. n/t

[Bragi]

129. Sorry, I mistook you for someone worth hearing out /nt

[PavePusher]

131. Sorry, I though it was pretty obvious...

"...openly serve MIC death machine."

"...openly serve in the death squads sent abroad by the MIC."

All they needed to add was "baby killers" for the trifecta.

[Bragi]

138. So there are no MIC death squads sent abroad?

If that's what you think, you're misinformed.

[PavePusher]

143. Cite to evidence, please. n/t

[Bragi]

144. Evidence abounds

My suggestion is you put the following phrase into google: "U.S military, death squads, Iraq" and you'll find all the evidence needed to substantiate my claim.

Here's one of the first hits you'll get:

Iraq's New Death Squad
http://www.thenation.com/article/iraqs-new-death-squad

Substitute other countries than Iraq in the search, and you'll get more evidence of death squads. Such as:

"WikiLeaks US military logs reveal US ‘Death Squad’ in Afghanistan: Task Force 373"

http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2010/07/30/wikileaks-us-military-logs-reveal-us-%E2%80%98death-squad%E2%80%99-afghanistan-task-force-373

- B

[vduhr]

53. You have to remember...

this is not about war, it's about freedom to choose and that choice to not be effected by who you are.

[Bragi]

55. I support that

I support free choice unconditionally for all GBLT people, and I support removing any and all barriers.

Like DOMA repeal, for example. Anti-war people could celebrate that advance much more heartily.

[Richardo]

62. Good thing you know what's best for them, better than they do.

Thanks Daddy.

[tblue37]

103. Just as the integration of the armed forces helped pave the way for

more rights for African Americans, so too will the acceptance of openly gay people into the military pave the way for them to finally have access to all the civil rights that any other citizen enjoys.

This really is a big f***ing deal, whether people want to admit it or not.

[closeupready]

8. Finally, some good news.

:) :woohoo:

[lillypaddle]

9. Touching, and moving

What a great day! Thank you, President Obama, and all the others who worked so hard toward this end.

[cbdo2007]

11. Well he still didn't cure cancer or walk on the moon, so I'm still not voting for him in 2012.

[HERVEPA]

17. Sorry to hear that.

He did manage to not give a damn about Net Neutrality and doesn't mind more and more invasions of our privacy and endless, meaningless wars, so maybe you should reconsider.

[Liberal Veteran]

28. I still didn't get my pony either!

:cry:

[bitchkitty]

29. Yea, me neither.

I also haven't had a cost of living raise in my disability for 2 years, and none in sight. In fact, there are going to be cuts to Social Security.

But I shouldn't complain, I should just smile and agree with everything Obama does because he signed something that he HAD to sign and given his druthers, probably wouldn't have signed. The rich will get richer, though, so I guess I better wait for the trickle down.

But you keep on smiling, hear?

[vduhr]

57. No one is saying you have to agree with ...

Obama on everything - that was what was expected from Bush and his supporters, and we certainly don't want to go back to those times. It's just that when people agree with him on something that he has done good, for some very, very odd reason, there are, of late, too many people on DU that are way too willing to find fault with that too. So it's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. Just seems very odd to me.

[Time for change]

76. I don't find fault with him for signing the repeal of DADT, and I doubt that other DUers do either

But here's what I believe is behind all the negativity.

When one believes that someone has repeatedly betrayed you and betrayed your country - as many of us believe Obama has done - and that causes you to lose all respect for that person, then you lose any enthusiasm for praising that person.

Many of us have gotten to the point where we feel that Obama as president is very bad for our country, and we want to see him replaced in 2012 by a progressive. So when we see him being praised we feel that that is a set back to redeeming our country and setting it back on the right track. Signing an occasional good piece of legislation doesn't change our minds about that.

[bitchkitty]

79. Thank you, you put it better than I could. n/t

[sirthomas66]

81. Excellent, Sir Patriot. You understand. Reading this board it is

as if the DADT legislation vacates all the disasters perpetrated by this administration. IMHO, DADT passed because it did not affect the Republican's bottom line and, as such, it became an appeasing bargaining chip.

[Lord Magus]

139. That woudl be because the cost of living adjustment is tied by law to inflation.

It's not something that the government, either Congress or the executive branch, makes a decision on each year. It's automatic. When inflation is near-nonexistent, like it was for the last two years, there's no COLA.

And no, there are not going to be cuts to Social Security. And you're a nutcase if you think Obama didn't want to sign DADT repeal. It's one of his signature issues.

[Skinner]

12. What a great day!

:thumbsup:

[handmade34]

14. a most memorable day

tears of joy...

[Love Bug]

15. Finally!

This is a great day for civil rights!

[bdamomma]

18. great news!!! let's keep it up

keep those pesty repigs away.

[ixion]

19. Great. Now people of all sexual preferences can kill people from other countries while

openly expressing that sexual preference.

[Richardo]

37. Man is there some stupid stupid shit in this thread.

It's only a coincidence that I'm replying to your post, BTW.

[LibDemAlways]

39. This ultimately isn't an issue for the rich guys who run the show.

As long as they aren't handed a gun and told to kill anybody, it doesn't matter to them who wears the uniform. It's just more people for the war machine.

[closeupready]

50. LOL, posts like this remind me that, It's far easier to be pessimistic and grouchy, than to be

upbeat and capable of finding the good part of a mixed message.

I'm glad I know, despite spending too much time on these boards, how to be an optimist.

[cottonseed]

52. Rahm was right.

[rhett o rick]

77. Well we sure as hell knew he isnt 'left'. The asshole. nm

[kenfrequed]

114. That is a retarded thing to say.

Rahm has been horribly, absurdly, stupidly, ridiculously wrong for most of Obama's tiem in office so far.

The previous poster has no relation to 'the left' (as if it were a monolithic entity) and does not speak for anyone but themselves. I am as friggin lefty as you can get and I danced a god-damned jig about this news.

Please, could both you and the person you responded to (who was wrong in his own absurd way) please save these absurd red herrings and start a fish hatchery or something.

[ixion]

127. I was wrong that killing is wrong?

who knew?

Even though you have no problem with wholesale slaughter, I find it one of the worst aspects of our species.

[kenfrequed]

128. No.

You were wrong for tossing in a red herring in when we have moved closer to equal rights for all Americans. The other guy was wrong for suggesting Rahm was right about anything.

[ixion]

136. No, what I stated was a Simple Truth.

Personally, a person's sexual orientation is their own business, and I don't think discrimination should occur based on that orientation. In that regard, I applaud this measure. However, it pales in comparison with a much larger issue: that of the role of the military in the so-called 'war' on terror.

We violated, in the extreme, the Human Rights of people all over the planet on a daily basis. THAT was my point.

[kenfrequed]

137. It is a seperate issue.

It is an issue I agree with you on, but it is a seperate issue.

If we want to get into it about the war and its prosecution there are plenty of threads where it is appropriate. Any thread about wikileaks is an appropriate spot for this, as is, obviously, any thread about the war itself.

[Riverman]

54. War is a Lie! Yes, Ending any state sanctioned discrimmination in any institution is good!

Truman ended racial discrimination in the armed forces. A good thing! Obama will be remembered for ending discrimination against gay and lesbian people in the armed forces. Not ending discrimination would not end immoral wars!

[Wednesdays]

78. Sexual "preference?"

:shrug:

[Cherchez la Femme]

83. Dead give away

we're still pawns on both sides

you have to laugh or you'll cry...

[johnnypneumatic]

106. please don't say "preference"

please do say "orientation" instead
the right wing extremists like to say it is just a choice, just a preference

[ixion]

110. fair enough...

no harm intended in that regard...

[kenfrequed]

113. Uhm...

Ok, look I'm not a warmonger but this is a good thing and here is why:

A: This means that arguments based on limiting the rights of LBGT will be harder to make in all areas of life. Granted gay soldiers have already been dying on the battlefield for centuries... but now the argument can be made that if a man or woman is able and willing to die for this country, how dare anyone of that persuasion be denied rights.

B: The fundamentalist plauge has been infiltrating the military since Reagan, such that they have practically taken over the Chaplain corp and are busily indoctrinating soldiers all over the place. The days of a Father Mulcahy (of MASH) priest that has to be a bit open to multiple denominiations have been over for a long time and fundamentalists have long been dangerously overrepresented in the military. This step could go a ways towards helping to crack that nut and restore sanity to the service.

C: As an add on to B, I think that less of this stupid crusade language that comes out of the dangerous fundamentalists is a good thing as it has caused this war to take every possible turn for the worse. No, I never supported Iraq or Afghanistan, and Yes I marched against these conflicts, but I also know that making them that we are making it harder to leave and more terrible for all parties by propping up religious dogma.

D: Would this be good news if we weren't fighting this stupid war? Would equality still be a bad thing then? Should we surrender doing the right thing during this time of stupid conflict and just maintain the status quo because we are in a stupid conflict? I really don't understand what the hell you are thinking.


Finally, get your head out fourth point of friggin contact and at least be happy that some people can now choose to do something that straight people have been taking for granted as a basic civic right for a long damned time.

[ixion]

126. I'm NOT arguing it is not good... I'm saying killing is worse

that is all.

[bagimin]

21. This is historic

imagine a world that would have been with McCain Palin.

[NBachers]

63. Thank you, bagimin. I prefer historic to histrionic, which affects so many here

First: Let's hate Obama for not getting this passed immediately!

Next: Let's hate Obama for signing it!

[kenfrequed]

115. *sticking my tongue out at you*

I am critical of the president on policy. I have been every time he sold out the progressives and activists that helped knock on the doors and work our tails off to get him elected.

I was happy as hell at this achievement of the Presidents. Please stop ruining it by posting about obvious agent provacateurs and phoney posts as though they are representative of 'The left' or 'progressives.'

[Rainbowreflect]

24. One down, one to go.

Said I would keep up my flag until DADT was gone and gay marriage was legal in all 50 states!
May have a bit of a wait, but still happy for step one!!!!

[earcandle]

25. Great news! Thanks, Obama and Dems and Repubs all around!

[Union Scribe]

26. Great news, thanks to everyone who helped it be repealed

From the President to the Hill to the brave soldiers who challenged an unjust law, and everyone who contacted their reps to let them know that such discrimination simply isn't acceptable. Hopefully this will be followed by many more civil rights victories.

[Scurrilous]

27. K & R

:thumbsup:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

32. yay! thanks congress, thank pelosi, thank you dadt activists, thank you senators

and thank you president obama.

[Veruca Salt]

33. This is what I call a christmas present

let's get it put into action and our discharged soldiers reinstated and then move onto DOMA and full equality.

:patriot: :party:

[No Elephants]

36. 50th rec Yayyyyy!!!! Great day for America. DOMA and state laws next.

[SoapBox]

41. Two Thumbs UP!

[Tx4obama]

42. Obama says: DOMA should go too

President Obama tells The Advocate DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) should go too and says his lawyers are looking at a "range of options." http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/12/next_up_doma.php?ref=fpblg

[Cherchez la Femme]

84. His DOJ is defending DOMA

and he dares say

"I'll be frank with you, I think that's not going to get done in two years. We're on a three- or four-year time frame unless there's a real transformation of attitudes within the Republican caucus."


Oh well, looks like he's fooling some of the people!

[Tx4obama]

91. Oh come on...

DoJ defended DADT in the Log Cabin California case and OBAMA was able to get DADT repealed by the Congress.
And btw, Obama doesn't have have complete control over what the DoJ does.

I'll take what Obama 'says' over what 'other people do' any day of the week.

Obama said he wants DOMA to be gone - and it will be ;)

[Cherchez la Femme]

121. No, you come on

Is he not the President?

Does not his Departments follow his leads/orders?

You're telling me that the DOJ continuing to use the 'homosexuals are incestuous & pedophiles' *Defense* is 1) bucking the President, 2) a legitimate legal strategy, or even 3) remotely True?

Dated Nov. 10, 2010, Breaking: DOJ Asks Supreme Court To Keep Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell In Effect

And his DOJ defending DOMA, went to court PRIOR to the Log Cabin Republican case, way back in June 2009. John Aravosis at Americablog covered this extensively,
concluding "“Holy cow, Obama invoked incest and people marrying children”.

Plus, it was the Log Cabin Republicans who brought the unconstitutionality of DADT *to* the courts. Not Obama or his DOJ.


Who do you think you're kidding?
Seriously. Give it a fucking rest. There is no way to make that steaming pile of manure, which issued from this administration make no mistake, smell like Chanel No. 5 or even my personal favorite, Red.

It doesn't matter how delicious you tell us that shit sandwich is, facts are facts. You can't rewrite history nor undo what they did -- there are these new-fangled things called links, that like, y'know, document history 'n stuff nowadays.

So Obama signed DADT repeal after NOT 'advocating fiercely' for it but only because Congress voted to repeal it
and you expect we LGBTQI's to flop on our backs wriggling with puppy-love, begging for a belly-rub; all's forgiven, coochie-coo?
Fuck. That. The President has a LONG way to go to regain any trust from this department, I can promise you.


And speaking of Actions vs. Words, I'll take what Obama and his 'people' DO
over what he SAYS
forever and ever.

[Lord Magus]

140. Unlike Bush, Obama doesn't use the DOJ to push his political goals.

He gives it the degree of independent decision-making it's supposed to have.

[alp227]

45. Thank you, Mr. President! But regarding media coverage:

Why are both the AP and NPR (during a news bulletin before Morning Edition) using the word "homosexual"? When the GLAAD Media Guide advises against it as the bigots have abused that term. Sorta like how the mindless masses abuse the word "retard." But overall this is a great step in US history!

[LawnLover]

69. It IS the proper clinical term, isn't it?

I don't really see anything wrong with using it.

[The Philosopher]

105. ...

AP is not a doctor and homosexuality is not a disease.

[LawnLover]

111. Heterosexuality isn't a disease, either

But no one's complaining about that clinical term.

I honestly think people are little too thin skinned about these things. If we were talking about the "f" word or the "d" word, you might have something worth complaining about.

[johnnypneumatic]

107. hey Associated Press, update your style guide

we are "gay people", not "homosexuals"
"homosexual" is an offensive clinical term, dating back to the time when being gay was considered a mental illness.
that classification...the erroneous psychology that justified the stigma of being thought of as sexual deviants and mentally dreranged perverts, was eliminated in 1973 by the APA
Gay people are not and never were mentally ill. Being gay is part of humanity, there have always been gay people, there always will be.
I am a gay human being, I am not "a homosexual". I am not a thing, a creature, a sub-human

[LawnLover]

112. Homosexual is no more an offensive term than Heterosexual

or vagina or penis or schizophrenic or biped. They're clinical terms.

Why do people go out of their way to be offended? Much, much worse terms have been used to describe homosexuals or homosexual behavior.

[johnnypneumatic]

133. Why do people go out of their way to be offensive?

yes, a clinical term. If someone is writing a scientific paper, it might be useful.

In normal usage, it is a subtle way to dehumanize a person into a thing. The anti-gay hate groups always say homosexual, never gay. They also do it deliberately, to emphasize "sex" as in, "dirty filthy immoral homosexual acts", and try to make people picture men having sex because lot's of people still find that "icky".

In fact on their websites they tried to use automatic filters to change the word "gay" into "homosexual" but that didn't work out too well:
http://www.rightwingwatch.org/2008/06/the_dangers_of_1.html

Anyway, as a gay man, I am saying it is offensive. Please don't call me "a homosexual", a "homo", or even a "mo". If someone does, I'll get over it, I'll just consider the source. And yes, I'm familiar with those "much worse terms".

Just think about it... do you want to risk offending people unnecessarily?
It is also an outdated usage. Would you tell someone they shouldn't be offended that you called them "a negro" or "colored"?

Don't care what I think, fine, but I'm not the only one. Let's reference the GLAAD style guide again:

http://www.glaad.org/reference
http://www.glaad.org/reference/offensive
GLAAD Media Reference Guide
8th Edition - Updated May 2010
OFFENSIVE TERMS TO AVOID

Offensive: "homosexual" (n. or adj.)
Preferred: "gay" (adj.); "gay man" or "lesbian" (n.); "gay person/people"
Please use "gay" or "lesbian" to describe people attracted to members of the same sex. Because of the clinical history of the word "homosexual," it is aggressively used by anti-gay extremists to suggest that gay people are somehow diseased or psychologically/emotionally disordered – notions discredited by the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association in the 1970s. Please avoid using "homosexual" except in direct quotes. Please also avoid using "homosexual" as a style variation simply to avoid repeated use of the word "gay." The Associ­ated Press, The New York Times and The Washington Post restrict use of the term "homosexual" (see AP, New York Times & Washington Post Style).

(hmmm... obviously that is wrong, AP still likes to use "homosexual")

Of course, it also depends on who is saying it, how they say it, and if they are deliberately saying it to be a dick. Sort of like when repukes insist on saying "democrat party"

[LawnLover]

145. Why do people go out of their way to TAKE offense?

To quote you: "Of course, it also depends on who is saying it, how they say it, and if they are deliberately saying it to be a dick."

EXACTLY. That's my point. It's a clinical term used by the newspaper. They weren't deliberately saying it to be dicks. Any label can be abused. If someone says HETEROSEXUAL in a certain way -- perhaps someone who isn't heterosexual-- then it could be offensive as well. So can the word "gay" or "lesbian."

The newspaper was NOT trying to be offensive, so I don't see why anyone would take offense. It's political correctness to the extreme.

[kenfrequed]

118. I agree with you.

Though I do wonder about whether 'gay' hasn't also become kind of loaded. I personally think that treating homosexuality as a disease was terrible, but I don't think that it is as loaded these days as it was in the days of Freud.

'Gay' has it's own connotations that imply a lack of masculinity, even though many, many, many gay people act rather masculine. It has come to the point where in the gay community some people have to use the term 'straight-acting' to assert that they are masculine in demeanor because of the way the term 'gay' has been weighted down. And the media's portrayal of Pride Parades has done no help to helping reduce stereotypes and express how normal gay people really are by fixating on the most outrageous stereotypes in the quest for a more shocking picture to sell papers.

It really is rather complex.

[keopeli]

46. now THIS is a BFD

[Ozymanithrax]

51. Some people would complain if they were hung with a new rope...

Thank you Mr. President and members of the Senate and House. You did your job.

[vduhr]

61. Better yet...

some people would complain if it was Obama pardoning them from being hung because he was contributing to the demise of the rope industry.

[NBachers]

64. Good message, Vduhr

[shawn703]

71. A corporate president wouldn't contribute to the demise of an industry

So I'm sure he wouldn't pardon anyone from being hung if it would contribute to the demise of the rope industry.

[Ozymanithrax]

88. Off topic. the Congratulations are for DADT, and they are deserved.

Dealing with corporate influence in the government is another issue.

[Ozymanithrax]

87. Of topic, because the congratulations is for one thing...

not everything thing.

I repeat, some people will complain if they were hung with a new rope.

[Deep13]

58. Kudos to POTUS, Congressional D.s. Small, but necessary step to equality.

In 1948 Harry Truman ordered the desegregation the military. This was an early victory for equality in what would become the 20th century's civil rights movement. Hopefully, ending discrimination against gay service men and service women will open the door for future advances including the ending of discrimination in civilian employment and housing, to say nothing of marriage.

[Jakes Progress]

60. A good thing.

Finally. The Democrats actually managed to push through one bill with overwhelming public support. That's one.

[Duncan Grant]

66. A monumental moment! Over 35 years in the making.

A little justice for gay people has been a long time coming. It feels good, too.

I've been "out" for almost 3 decades and I want to acknowledge all those activists (gay and straight) who -- over the last few decades -- made this day happen. I think this victory belongs to them.

We can all thank Congressman Patrick J. Murphy, Speaker Pelosi, Senator Lieberman, Senator Reid and President Obama (and all the Democrats and Republicans who chose to support this historic legislation) for their leadership and support. What a wonderful day!

[LawnLover]

68. This is a great victory that can't be belittled by Obama naysayers

Many people here said he didn't care and couldn't do it, but they've been proven wrong, just as they will on a host of other "Obama" problems.

Obama has managed to accomplish more in the last two years than most Presidents do in an entire term. I think it's time we recognize and celebrate that fact.

[AsahinaKimi]

72. Nice one

Mr. President...

[VeryConfused]

74. A wonderful and historic day

[Lucky 13]

80. It is an amazing day. It's progress and a step, albeit small, forward.

Most in the military aren't celebrating just yet. How these "implementation plans" are crafted and when things will actually change is still very much up in the air.

It's a small step forward, though we still have so far to go. I watched a documentary/series the other day that said that there are over 1100 ways that gays and lesbians are treated different by the LAW. We aren't free until all those are addressed. We won't be satisfied or pacified until all those are addressed.

But just for today, it feels pretty damn good to only have 1099 instead of 1100 methods of discrimination in this country. And I am very thankful for that.

To the Senate, to the House, and to the President - Thank you.

[Dappleganger]

85. That's the change I voted for.

Now bring on some more, Mr. President.

[craigmatic]

86. They've done the most good of his whole term in the last year.

HCR, repeal of DADT, the African/Native American farmer bill, the food safety bill, 9/11 responder's bill, and financial reform bill. Even if he loses in 2012 he'll still have been an effective president.

[Iggo]

89. Historic day, and another step forward.

We're getting there!

[creon]

90. excellent

I am glad that DADT was repealed.

having Congress repeal it was the best way to go.

[musicblind]

94. As a gay man: Thank you, Mr. President.

It has been a long time since I've been able to say something like that.

It actually makes me feel patriotic.

[Not Me]

96. I am most impressed with the military leadership

Two years ago I would have thought they would fight this tooth and nail, and done everything in their power to keep it from happening.
(Remember the State of the Union speech where they sat there while the rest of the (Democratic) chamber rose in applause.)

They knew that this was doable and they correctly read the pulse of the country on this issue. And, though I didn't like the prospect (and delay) that the armed forces survey could have brought, in the end, it presented a solidified view FROM THE MILITARY that DADT should be struck down.

Frnakly, after the report was issued, I don't know why there weren't more Republicans jumping on board.

[Politicub]

97. Awesome to see this today

It took a long time to get here. It's a major milestone in the march towards full equality.

Onward and upward!

Thank you, Mr. President, for keeping your word. The reverberations of this bill may be what breaks the LBGT equality logjam one day. Integration is important and changes hearts.

On edit: And thanks also to the house, senate and military leadership!

[MilesColtrane]

99. Remember to reward your Congresscritter when s/he does good.

If they voted to repeal this horrible law, a short note of thanks might be in order.

[jennied]

100. It feels almost too good to be true.

[Jefferson23]

102. A spectacular day! n/t

[Plaid Adder]

104. HOORAY.

At last.

yee ha,

The Plaid Adder

[defendandprotect]

109. Cheering for all the victims of this injustice ...DADT never should have happened ....

[iandhr]

116. Not that it matters

But why at the Interior Department?

Nice victory by the way

[U4ikLefty]

117. BOTTOM LINE: Obama thinks gay folks can DIE for our country, but not MARRY

in our country...he's still struggling with THAT one.

[Corey_Baker08]

122. Would It Kill You To Give Credit When Credit Is Do????

For the love of god this is a major step in the right direction and right now President Obama has a hell of a workload on his shoulders as of right now and he is doing the best he can with what he can get passed in Congress. I do agree with your point but why focus of gay marriage right now when his full attention should be on fixing this economy as well as other important issues, not trying to get gay marriage passed as a federal law when he knows that every Republican Attorney General in the country will bog up his agenda with more and more red tape in order to get gay marriage repealed citing that it should be up to the voters of each individual state.

I believe we should all quit bitching and thank him and the Democrats in Congress as well as the few Republicans in congress that supported the repeal of DADT, because I have faith that by his 2nd term he will indeed pass gay marriage on a federal level.

This is based solely on my opinion of course, but I have faith that after dealing with the major economic issues he will focus on marriage equality for all.

This is the President I voted for and I am damn proud of him right now, it is just shocking to see the amount of negative post about OUR President on a site designed for Democrats and Independent minded individuals, he's not superman he cant pass a hundred pieces of legislation even though it may be want the majority of us want to happen, you cannot ignore that this is a victory for America and a victory for civil rights.

Can we please stop focusing on the negativity, and appreciate what the man has done for this country, considering the wreckage that Bush left us in. We are finally pulling out of the recession and I feel that the like the phoenix rising from the ashes, We will be reborn as a nation stronger and more focused than we have been in years.

[U4ikLefty]

134. My guess is that you can marry.

I will complain when I think it is justified.

I did it when Bu$h was pResident & will continue when Obama does a half-assed job...thank you.

[U4ikLefty]

135. Oh yeah, it is "credit is DUE".

Spellchecker can't catch dumb.

[Lord Magus]

141. He specifically said that DOMA should be the next to go.

[DeadEyeDyck]

119. Will they recognize marraige?

[eridani]

120. His remarks on it were very touching, I thought n/t

[TomCADem]

123. Great Work President Obama and Democrats in Congress!

[chill_wind]

124. Well done, President Obama and all the activists who held feet to fire.

K & R.

[orleans]

125. it's about time! n/t

[sarcasmo]

142. Kick.