Levin: Lame-duck Senate 'will get to' repeal of 'Don't ask'

[cal04]

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/132455-levin-senate-will-get-to-repeal-of-dont-ask-policy

The leading Senate Democrat on military affairs on Tuesday expressed optimism that the upper chamber would take up the bill that contains the "Don't ask, don't tell" repeal in coming days.

Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said on Tuesday he thinks the Senate "will get to a vote" on the 2011 defense authorization bill, critical for military policy, this week.

Without passage of the 2011 defense authorization bill this year, the chances for repeal of the ban on gays serving openly in the military are dimmer next year, with Republicans holding both the House majority and more seats in the Senate. The GOP is generally more skeptical of the administration's plan for repeal.

Levin, a chief supporter of repeal, told reporters that Democrats have a "good shot" at getting the 60 votes necessary to start debating the defense bill.

[eleny]

1. "expressed optimism" - Isn't that special.

[Renew Deal]

2. Will it pass if the republicans don't get their 2 weeks fo debate?

Or will Snowe and Lugar cook up a reason to not vote for it?

[BlueDemKev]

3. So help me....

...if Obama's "deal" with the Teapublicans for extending the Bush tax cuts included they're agreeing not to block repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", I am going to go ballistic.

Talk about selling your house for $100 and living on the street! Not saying DADT shouldn't be repealed, but it wasn't worth THIS price.

[TwilightGardener]

5. If it's part of the package, I'll take it.

[DevonRex]

15. I remember the Repubs saying they would stall DADT if they didn't

get their way on taxes. I'm assuming that's what drove this compromise.

[gateley]

6. Where the hell did that come from? Are you looking for things to stoke your rage? nt

[BlueDemKev]

8. My point is...

...is that yes, getting DADT repealed is good policy, but it is NOT worth extending the Bush tax cuts.

For goodness' sakes, the Democrats still have a huge majority in both houses of Congress until January. If they can't repeal DADT on their own (and pick up Snowe & Collins along the way), they're a pretty impotent bunch.

[Renew Deal]

10. You need to understand that DADT is an injustice.

Do you get that?

[BlueDemKev]

14. YEEEESSSS

I get that, but that doesn't mean I'm ready to throw this whole country down the toilet just to get rid of it (Heck, if I were a gay serviceman, I would not mention my sexual orientation to ANYBODY even if DADT was repealed).

[karynnj]

19. "If you were gay?" , the same sentence with no condition - that you would not mention

your sexual orientation would have been all that was needed.

I have never been in service, but think of the fact that 20 years ago, nearly everyone with an office had a photo with their kids and spouse on their desk. You learned about everyone's family to some degree at lunch. Yet - back them - I never saw a picture of anyone's same sex significant other. Not mentioning your sexuality for many might mean not speaking of the most important people in their lives. Think of how lonely that makes them and how they might not have the same bonds with others because part of having bonds involves saying who you are,

Consider even on message boards, the people you feel you "know" to some degree, you know some things of who they are. It has nothing to do with sexuality, it has to do with being able to speak of the "family" you are part of. Someone hiding behind silence appears not to connect as much.

[BlueDemKev]

26. I am for gay rights

I certainly support gay rights, and am pleased with the amount of progress which has been made over the past 30+ years educating people about the origins of homosexuality and the dispelling of stereotypes. All I'm saying is that I don't believe the repeal of this ONE thing--DADT--should be the price for agreeing to a Republican proposal (extending the Bush tax cuts for the top 2% of income-earners) which will ultimately lead to the demise of Social Security, Medicare, cancer and stem cell research, our national highway system, our national parks, the FDIC, and the new health insurance reform law. That's all I'm saying. Now, if you want to beat me over the head and accuse me of being a homophobe and any other B.S., go right ahead, but you're wasting your time and energy which could be better spent on more productive things.

[gateley]

12. Oh, gotcha. But the bottom line is they're going to be extended anyway (if this

passes) so if it's included, good. I don't think it is, though, otherwise wouldn't we know it?

I think it's kind of on the table anyway for a vote before they shut down for the year.

Plus, there are some Reps who I think support it, too.

[BlueDemKev]

18. It would be nice if....

...Congress would also lift the outdated travel ban to Cuba. It's total B.S. that we aren't allowed to travel there while we're in bed with Communist China, who's record on human rights is far worse than anything Castro has done. No way in hell is the embargo ever going to be lifted by a Republican-controlled Congress (either chamber).

[gateley]

21. Oh - good one. I never even thought of that. The only hope is that the Reps'

"godfathers" push it so they can again make lots of money from their interests down there. I'm surprised that didn't happen during Bush's reign.

[BlueDemKev]

23. The problem is...

...most Republicans want to end the embargo (even if they won't say it publicly). The problem is that the Cuban-American voters in South Florida would turn agains them with vengence if they did. Florida is too critical of a state for them in presidential elections, and they can't afford to offend that voter base.

[Renew Deal]

9. DADT is a wrong that needs to be righted!

And if that means some sort of deal on taxes was baked, so be it. Repealing DADT is the right thing to do!

[BlueDemKev]

11. Please see my previous subpost

Repealing DADT is the right thing to do, but not at the expense of bankrupting social security, medicare, regulatory agencies, education, our national parks, and the new health insurance exchanges.

With our huge majorities in Congress (despite being a lame-duck Congress), there's no reason why the Democrats can't repeal DADT on their own without Republican support.

[Renew Deal]

13. Those are all important issues.

But I have a hard time putting social security, medicare, regulatory agencies, education, our national parks ahead of human rights.

[BlueDemKev]

16. Well, let me put it this way....

...If I had to make a choice between preserving Social Security & Medicare for generations to come or permitting gays to serve "openly" in the military, I'll take the former. You may disagree, but I, and I'm certain many other liberals, would put S.S. & Medicare ahead of the DADT issue on their list of priorities.

[Renew Deal]

17. I understand

;)

[Bluebear]

20. Yeah, a lot of people put equality far down on their lists, "DemKev".

[BlueDemKev]

24. I stand by what I said.

[BlueDemKev]

25. I stand by what I said.

[gateley]

4. The way you wield those quotation marks it makes it sound as though he yawned when

saying it, as though he doesn't care. To me, it sounds like they well get it done!

How did you interpret it?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

7. Now that they've extended the Bush tax cuts.

[Rowdyboy]

22. Huzzah! We have a "good shot" at starting debate on ending this atrocity!

What bold leadership! What amazing courage!

Someone wake me when this nightmare is over.

I guess we should be grateful the Democrats aren't pushing legislation to ban gay marriage. Its about their only positive virtue. Pathetic, spineless wimps.