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DADT repeal PASSES


#2



Chibibar

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repeal May be Dead - Political Hotsheet - CBS News

I believe that the conservatives (both sides of Republican and Democrats) don't want to deal with this. My wife and I believe it is a chain event that could lead to same sex marriage since this will be the first Federal level recognition of same sex orientation for federal benefits.


#3

Espy

Espy

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Lame but not surprising.


#4

Denbrought

Denbrought

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Your government makes it look like giving gays rights is rocket science or something, it's impressive.


#5



Chibibar

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Your government makes it look like giving gays rights is rocket science or something, it's impressive.
my government fears that giving gay rights would destroy their social economy (that is what I think they believe) cause many states are fighting tooth and nail and set up laws against it.


#6

Krisken

Krisken

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

People once thought that about minorities.


#7

Dave

Dave

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Republicans are old homophobes and Democrats are cowardly idiots.


#8



Chibibar

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

People once thought that about minorities.
They still think that ;) (hence the dream act is putting off)

---------- Post added at 05:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:13 PM ----------

Republicans are old homophobes and Democrats are cowardly idiots.
Yea. I totally agree.


#9

GasBandit

GasBandit

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

What is feared:



The Gay spreads like zerg infestation.


#10

Tress

Tress

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Your government makes it look like giving gays rights is rocket science or something, it's impressive.
According to a guy I went to school with, "it's not okay for (homosexuals) to run around raping children and stuff." He said that to a teacher in class. I saw some people nod their heads in class.

THAT is an example of one of the most common views regarding homosexuality in this country. Obviously we don't all have those views. However, when a vocal segment of the population hates homosexuals with a passion and attack any politician who doesn't condemn them, it's no surprise that politicians won't do anything.


#11

Cheesy1

Cheesy1

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

I've always found this to be an apt and hilarious description of how many anti-gay supporters feel:

(NSFW due to language)


#12

tegid

tegid

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Your government makes it look like giving gays rights is rocket science or something, it's impressive.
According to a guy I went to school with, "it's not okay for (homosexuals) to run around raping children and stuff." He said that to a teacher in class. I saw some people nod their heads in class.

THAT is an example of one of the most common views regarding homosexuality in this country. Obviously we don't all have those views. However, when a vocal segment of the population hates homosexuals with a passion and attack any politician who doesn't condemn them, it's no surprise that politicians won't do anything.[/QUOTE]
It's no surprise if you know that
Dave said:
Republicans are old homophobes and Democrats are cowardly idiots.
I'm in a country that thirty years ago was still run by a dictatorship with a strong catholic component, and homosexuals can marry here, etc. You'd be surprised how something like letting them marry changes the views of people with respect to gays by making their situation as normal as possible. So it's no excuse that some people are bigoted, specially when (in my experience), passing this kind of laws actually push bigotry back.


#13

DarkAudit

DarkAudit

Republicans are old homophobes and Democrats are cowardly idiots.
To my embarrassment, the lone cowardly idiot was my own Senator Manchin, hereafter to be known as Mojo.

What is even more galling is the late Sen. Byrd was in favor of repealing DADT.


#14

Krisken

Krisken

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

What irritates me is that everything has to pass with 60 votes. It is unprecedented to require a super majority in our Senate for everything they vote on.


#15



Chibibar

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

What irritates me is that everything has to pass with 60 votes. It is unprecedented to require a super majority in our Senate for everything they vote on.
I don't keep track, but has anyone ACTUALLY use the filibuster? (hence the 60 requirement to auto kill any filibuster)

I say, let try to pass with less than 60 (just a majority) and see which of the Republican is brave enough to actually filibuster the bill!


#16

Dave

Dave

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

I don't keep track, but has anyone ACTUALLY use the filibuster? (hence the 60 requirement to auto kill any filibuster)
Yes.

9/11 responders bill defeated by Senate GOP filibuster - CNN.com


#17



Chibibar

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

I don't keep track, but has anyone ACTUALLY use the filibuster? (hence the 60 requirement to auto kill any filibuster)
Yes.

9/11 responders bill defeated by Senate GOP filibuster - CNN.com[/QUOTE]

ah... but it doesn't say who actually did the filibuster (i.e. talk as long as they want to kill a bill)
Filibuster - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I thought that is what they are trying to do since each bill has a time limit on them right?
(it is so confusing for me at time)


#18

Krisken

Krisken

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

That's the thing- it no longer requires one Senator to sit there and waste the time of Congress. Now they can have staffers or intern sitting there spouting off random crap.It doesn't have to be only one person, either, but can be handed off to another person.

Here is a chart of the fillibusters (number of times cloture needed to be invoked).



That huge spike there at the end? That is when Democrats took over the White House. Pretty crazy, right?


#19



Chibibar

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

oh.. that is kinda cheesy... so poor intern just have to sit there and spout? it should be only be the senators (i.e. one to another) if they want to kill a bill, do it yourself.


#20

Tress

Tress

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

They need to get rid of the filibuster. Now.


#21

GasBandit

GasBandit

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

They need to get rid of the filibuster. Now.
The filibuster is an essential tool against the tyranny of the majority... but they do need to make it so that it can't be handed off to a rotating stable of staffers.


#22

Krisken

Krisken

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Instead, the fillibuster is the tyranny of the minority.


#23

GasBandit

GasBandit

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Instead, the fillibuster is the tyranny of the minority.
Tyranny of the minority, as many are so quick to remind us these days, is why women can vote and black people can eat in the same restaurants as white people.


#24



JONJONAUG

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Owns.



#25



Chibibar

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

They need to get rid of the filibuster. Now.
The filibuster is an essential tool against the tyranny of the majority... but they do need to make it so that it can't be handed off to a rotating stable of staffers.[/QUOTE]

I agree on this part. If a group of Senates (the elected official) wants to filibuster, they can take turn instead of handing off to a hired hand.


#26

Krisken

Krisken

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Instead, the fillibuster is the tyranny of the minority.
Tyranny of the minority, as many are so quick to remind us these days, is why women can vote and black people can eat in the same restaurants as white people.[/QUOTE]
Are you really comparing fillibustering civil rights to healthcare for 9/11 responders? Because if you are, you need some help.


#27

GasBandit

GasBandit

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Instead, the fillibuster is the tyranny of the minority.
Tyranny of the minority, as many are so quick to remind us these days, is why women can vote and black people can eat in the same restaurants as white people.[/QUOTE]
Are you really comparing fillibustering civil rights to healthcare for 9/11 responders? Because if you are, you need some help.[/QUOTE]You can't pick and choose which things are ok to filibuster and which aren't. Matter of fact, you can't even choose just which aren't. The filibuster is an essential tool of liberty and the last line of defense against a temporary majority legislating its way into eternal dominion.

Say, Krisken, did you oppose the so-called "nuclear option" during the Bush confirmation hearings?


#28

Krisken

Krisken

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Nuclear Option? Is that some retarded Fox News label?


#29

GasBandit

GasBandit

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Nuclear Option? Is that some retarded Fox News label?
I'll jog your memory. When democrats were filibustering Bush's judicial appointees, Republicans put forth the idea to bring to a vote a change to the senate rules such that only a simple (51) majority would be needed to reach cloture and end a filibuster, instead of the 60 supermajority. A change to senate rules also only needs a simple majority. Trent Lott used the threat of this to try to get the filibusters to end, and called it their "Nuclear Option." IE, last resort.

However, this measure was defeated by John McCain and his "Gang of 14." Comprised of 7 Republicans and 7 Democrats, in theory, this gang was to prevent both unreasonable filibusters AND changes to senate rules.


#30

strawman

strawman

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

It was a pretty piece of political maneuvering on both parts, actually.


#31

Krisken

Krisken

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Yes, and I don't agree with it now. The filibuster needs reform, not destruction.

---------- Post added at 01:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:46 PM ----------

It was a pretty piece of political maneuvering on both parts, actually.
Except for Miguel Estrada, who had NO judicial experience.


#32

GasBandit

GasBandit

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Yes, and I don't agree with it now. The filibuster needs reform, not destruction.

Ah good, so you agree with me then. I had thought you were agreeing with Tress.



---------- Post added at 01:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:46 PM ----------
It was a pretty piece of political maneuvering on both parts, actually.
Except for Miguel Estrada, who had NO judicial experience.
Except for, you know, his doctorate of law, magna cum laude from harvard law school, editing of the harvard law review, clerking in the 2nd district appelate court and the supreme court, his time in the US Attorney's office, and a private law practice. Aside from that, yeah, he had absolutely no experience with law or judicial procedure. And never mind that the American Bar Association gave him a unanimous endorsement of "well qualified."

But really, the true kiss of death was Dick Durbin refusing to let the republican party be the one to get the first latino on the supreme court.

Fun Fact: During her confirmation hearings, Elena Kagan said Estrada was perfectly qualified to serve either on the apellate or even the supreme court, and that if she'd had a vote to cast, she would have voted to confirm him.


#33

Covar

Covar

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Fun Fact: During her confirmation hearings, Elena Kagan said Estrada was perfectly qualified to serve either on the apellate or even the supreme court, and that if she'd had a vote to cast, she would have voted to confirm him.
could she really say otherwise though?


#34

AshburnerX

AshburnerX

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Don't have a link, but the news just reported that the House voted in favor of repealing DADT. The Vote is going to the Senate. Looks like the Democrats aren't going to let the Republicans ignore this for 4 years when they enter office at the beginning of the year.

Is it just me, or are the Democrats unusually full of piss and vinegar ever since they stood up to Obama on the Tax Cuts?


#35

Krisken

Krisken

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

It was the Republicans filibustering everything up to this point. Now that the legislation has to be dealt with and Democrats can say "You want to go home? Tough, not until we legislate this shit".

Really, that is all there is to it. Same thing happened last year around this time.


#36

Adam

Adammon

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Don't have a link, but the news just reported that the House voted in favor of repealing DADT. The Vote is going to the Senate. Looks like the Democrats aren't going to let the Republicans ignore this for 4 years when they enter office at the beginning of the year.

Is it just me, or are the Democrats unusually full of piss and vinegar ever since they stood up to Obama on the Tax Cuts?
They can afford to have balls because a lot of them are going home permanently.


#37

Dave

Dave

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Don't have a link, but the news just reported that the House voted in favor of repealing DADT. The Vote is going to the Senate. Looks like the Democrats aren't going to let the Republicans ignore this for 4 years when they enter office at the beginning of the year.

Is it just me, or are the Democrats unusually full of piss and vinegar ever since they stood up to Obama on the Tax Cuts?
They can afford to have balls because a lot of them are going home permanently.[/QUOTE]

Had they displayed these balls before they probably wouldn't be.


#38

Adam

Adammon

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Don't have a link, but the news just reported that the House voted in favor of repealing DADT. The Vote is going to the Senate. Looks like the Democrats aren't going to let the Republicans ignore this for 4 years when they enter office at the beginning of the year.

Is it just me, or are the Democrats unusually full of piss and vinegar ever since they stood up to Obama on the Tax Cuts?
They can afford to have balls because a lot of them are going home permanently.[/QUOTE]

Had they displayed these balls before they probably wouldn't be.[/QUOTE]

A big reason why I don't feel too bad for them.


#39



Chibibar

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Don't have a link, but the news just reported that the House voted in favor of repealing DADT. The Vote is going to the Senate. Looks like the Democrats aren't going to let the Republicans ignore this for 4 years when they enter office at the beginning of the year.

Is it just me, or are the Democrats unusually full of piss and vinegar ever since they stood up to Obama on the Tax Cuts?
They can afford to have balls because a lot of them are going home permanently.[/QUOTE]

Had they displayed these balls before they probably wouldn't be.[/QUOTE]

A big reason why I don't feel too bad for them.[/QUOTE]

Since some of these are going home "permanently" (until next election) maybe there should be a term limit or at least consecutive limit (i.e. no more than 2 terms side by side and must have at least 1 term break.


#40

GasBandit

GasBandit

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

I've been a big supporter of term limits, but recently someone on these boards showed me an article that points out that what would likely happen if you had term limits for senators and members of congress is that the staffers would become the permanent fixtures, and THEY would end up tailoring most of the legislation. I'm not sure that's an improvement. Maybe we should have term limits for congressional/senatorial staff as well.


#41



Chibibar

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

I've been a big supporter of term limits, but recently someone on these boards showed me an article that points out that what would likely happen if you had term limits for senators and members of congress is that the staffers would become the permanent fixtures, and THEY would end up tailoring most of the legislation. I'm not sure that's an improvement. Maybe we should have term limits for congressional/senatorial staff as well.
I remember that, but the staffer would have to change hands as well (goes with the Senator/Rep)

Edit: the reason I say that cause I was just informed (from this thread) that a staffer can stand in for a filibuster?? if they can do that, then make them term limit too ;)


#42

Krisken

Krisken

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

The time wasting tactic I hate the most would probably be the "Read the bill in its entirety out loud on the floor".


#43

strawman

strawman

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

The time wasting tactic I hate the most would probably be the "Read the bill in its entirety out loud on the floor".
Honestly, that would be far better than the more common tactic, "Let someone summarize the bill for me then vote on it turning a blind eye to the earmarks."


#44

Krisken

Krisken

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Right up there with "I put earmarks in it, but I oppose it because someone put earmarks in it."


#45

GasBandit

GasBandit

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

I'd like to disallow omnibus bills, personally. One issue, one bill, in my opinion.


#46

Krisken

Krisken

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Senate repeals DADT 63-33


#47



JONJONAUG

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Technically that's just the Cloture vote. Final vote is scheduled for 3 PM.

But yeah, DADT is pretty much dead at this point.


#48

MindDetective

MindDetective

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

I'd like to disallow omnibus bills, personally. One issue, one bill, in my opinion.
Yes, please!


#49

Krisken

Krisken

DADT repeal short 3 votes.

Technically that's just the Cloture vote. Final vote is scheduled for 3 PM.

But yeah, DADT is pretty much dead at this point.[/QUOTE]

Yes, but once cloture is voted, then all it no longer takes 60 votes to do anything, simply a majority will do.


#50



JONJONAUG

Passed 65-33.

The American Family Association said:
The armies of other nations have allowed gays to serve openly in the military. The reason they could afford to do this is simple: they could allow homosexuals to serve in their military because we didn’t allow them to serve in ours. They knew they could count on the strength, might, power, and cohesion of the U.S. military to intervene whenever and wherever necessary to pull their fannies out of the fire and squash the forces of tyranny wherever they raised their ugly heads around the world.

Those days are now gone. We will no longer be able to bail out these other emasculated armies because ours will now be feminized and neutered beyond repair, and there is no one left to bail us out. We have been permanently weakened as a military and as a nation by these misguided and treasonous Republican senators, and the world is now a more dangerous place for us all.


#51

Krisken

Krisken

Wow, that is... wow.


#52

Cheesy1

Cheesy1

Yes, because I'm sure that on the front lines of a fight, while bullets are whizzing by and explosions are going off all around, that the only thing your fellow soldier who is gay is thinking about is how he's going to get your pants off and rape you in the ass. And then attack your children. And give them the gays.


#53

DarkAudit

DarkAudit

And where was Senator Mojo? At a WVU basketball game. Byrd has risen from the grave to take his seat back.


#54

Tress

Tress

Why is it all these "family groups" think that every gay person is Lamar from Revenge of the Nerds?


#55

Ravenpoe

Ravenpoe

Why is it all these "family groups" think that every gay person is Lamar from Revenge of the Nerds?
A fighting force of Lamars would be an awesome force.


#56

AshburnerX

AshburnerX

Why is it all these "family groups" think that every gay person is Lamar from Revenge of the Nerds?
A fighting force of Lamars would be an awesome force.[/QUOTE]

Only if they were all armed with super nerd javelins.


#57



JONJONAUG

Yes, because I'm sure that on the front lines of a fight, while bullets are whizzing by and explosions are going off all around, that the only thing your fellow soldier who is gay is thinking about is how he's going to get your pants off and rape you in the ass. And then attack your children. And give them the gays.
Well it is very hard to shoot at people with a dick in the butt.


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2644749/posts

Free Republic weighs in!

Warren Arbury has it just right. One further step toward marriage and easy access to other people's children.
Of course they’re celebrating. Join the Army - test positive for AIDS/HIV - draw 100% disability for the rest of your miserable life.

If you don’t believe me check the VA regulations.
They will simply monitor promotions until the gays have an acceptable % of leadership. Once they are in power they will promote more and more of them because they cannot be objective. Their sexual orientation is what they are at their core. They destroy churches now the military. Christians will simply vote with their feet.
Most schizophrenics don’t have a choice about whether they are mentally ill or not either, just like homosexuals who have their particular mental disorder.

Should we allow schizophrenics, psychopaths, or sociopaths in the military as well?
God says homosexuality (male or female) is an abomination... Now toooo many in this nation disregard at their and our nation's peril the consequences in 'we the people' blessing something that the Creator calls an abomination....

NOW to be clear I could care less what two consenting adults do behind closed doors....their doors... NOT public doors and the military is public tax payer funded, and government is 'we the people'.


#58

Krisken

Krisken

That site makes me throw up in my mouth, just a little.


#59

Adam

Adammon

That site makes me throw up in my mouth, just a little.
Jim Robinson, the owner of the site, posted a little opus saying he would ban anyone supporting the repeal. It's kinda pathetic and sad. Somehow being anti-gay is constitutional.


#60

Krisken

Krisken

I suppose it is only a free republic if everyone is the same.


#61

Adam

Adammon

I suppose it is only a free republic if everyone is the same.
During the 2008 republican primary, Giuliani supporters were banned en masse, and i suspect Romney supporters are next.


#62

sixpackshaker

sixpackshaker

All I've heard is that it was repealed. Did the bill actually say that gays could openly serve?

DADT was a compromise to stop the Pentagon Witch Hunts of gays in the military. But in the end it did not change anything because the secret of serving closeted kept coming out. And the military just became more ardent in their push to rid the military of gays, which was the opposite of the intention of the bill.


#63

DarkAudit

DarkAudit

I still can't get past Manchin's pathetic excuse for skipping the vote. A fucking PARTY?!? I don’t care you planned this a year ago or a decade ago. You weren't a United States Senator then. Your family can WAIT. Sure, you would have voted against it, but you would have voted.

Sources here say there's no mechanism for recalling a Senator. Let's test that theory, shall we?


#64

Krisken

Krisken

Don't worry, DarkAudit. He keeps it up, I'm sure your state will make sure he is a 1 term Senator.


#65

DarkAudit

DarkAudit

Don't worry, DarkAudit. He keeps it up, I'm sure your state will make sure he is a 1 term Senator.
A 1/3 term Senator. He's only filling the last two years of Byrd's seat. :)


#66



Philosopher B.

Fuck the American Family Association!


#67



Disconnected

Passed 65-33.

The American Family Association said:
The armies of other nations have allowed gays to serve openly in the military. The reason they could afford to do this is simple: they could allow homosexuals to serve in their military because we didn’t allow them to serve in ours. They knew they could count on the strength, might, power, and cohesion of the U.S. military to intervene whenever and wherever necessary to pull their fannies out of the fire and squash the forces of tyranny wherever they raised their ugly heads around the world.

Those days are now gone. We will no longer be able to bail out these other emasculated armies because ours will now be feminized and neutered beyond repair, and there is no one left to bail us out. We have been permanently weakened as a military and as a nation by these misguided and treasonous Republican senators, and the world is now a more dangerous place for us all.
I am laughing so hard at this AMA statement.
I wonder what these armies around the world would say to these insulting remarks... perhaps I'll just forward it along.
Also... army of Lamars would kick so much as and look good doing it.


#68

Sara_2814

Sara_2814

The American Family Association said:
The armies of other nations have allowed gays to serve openly in the military. The reason they could afford to do this is simple: they could allow homosexuals to serve in their military because we didn’t allow them to serve in ours. They knew they could count on the strength, might, power, and cohesion of the U.S. military to intervene whenever and wherever necessary to pull their fannies out of the fire and squash the forces of tyranny wherever they raised their ugly heads around the world.

Those days are now gone. We will no longer be able to bail out these other emasculated armies because ours will now be feminized and neutered beyond repair, and there is no one left to bail us out. We have been permanently weakened as a military and as a nation by these misguided and treasonous Republican senators, and the world is now a more dangerous place for us all.
It's nice how they balance out their homophobia with misogyny. So these "patriots" show their hatred of gays by insulting the women serving in the armed forces, accusing them of weakening our military? Because I'm pretty sure that there are a lot more women "feminizing" the military than gays.

Way to go, American Family Association! *golf clap*


#69



Chibibar

'Don't ask, don't tell' is repealed by Senate; bill awaits Obama's signing

yay! it has passed (all they need is Prez to sign it)

I was wrong. I didn't think the Senates would pass it BUT I was hoping.
I think the senates passed it because if they didn't the courts would have gone with their decision to instantly repeal the law instead of doing in phases (that is my opinion)


#70

Covar

Covar

All I've heard is that it was repealed. Did the bill actually say that gays could openly serve?

DADT was a compromise to stop the Pentagon Witch Hunts of gays in the military. But in the end it did not change anything because the secret of serving closeted kept coming out. And the military just became more ardent in their push to rid the military of gays, which was the opposite of the intention of the bill.
From my understanding it does. Starting Wednesday people with stars on their shoulders will begin writing up the regulations for their respective branches, and then pushing the changes throughout. Regulations that implemented DADT will still be in place until that is done. Figure 60 days minimum to be fully implemented, if it gets rolled out in stages that time will be shorter.


#71



Chibibar

Don t Ask, Don t Tell clears hurdle in Senate - Washington Post - Yahoo! Buzz

For those want to smack yourself silly (or have the urge to smack others) you can read the Yahoo's commentary.... sometimes I wonder if these people are for real or just want to get a rise out of people.


#72

sixpackshaker

sixpackshaker

All I've heard is that it was repealed. Did the bill actually say that gays could openly serve?

DADT was a compromise to stop the Pentagon Witch Hunts of gays in the military. But in the end it did not change anything because the secret of serving closeted kept coming out. And the military just became more ardent in their push to rid the military of gays, which was the opposite of the intention of the bill.
From my understanding it does. Starting Wednesday people with stars on their shoulders will begin writing up the regulations for their respective branches, and then pushing the changes throughout. Regulations that implemented DADT will still be in place until that is done. Figure 60 days minimum to be fully implemented, if it gets rolled out in stages that time will be shorter.[/QUOTE]

OK, good. I am glad the Pentagon will not pull a fast one with this law like they did with DADT to begin with. They could have gotten cute and rolled the policy back to Truman and Regan's out right banning of gays in the armed forces.


#73

strawman

strawman

Officially it's to be known as "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010" and it's a bill that puts in motion the machine that will change the policy of military service with regards to sexual orientation.

Here is the full text (it's short):

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:s4023pcs.txt.pdf

In short it requires that the secretary of defense issue a memorandum that will result in studies of how the uniform legal code should be modified, and how those modifications will affect military effectiveness and readiness. There is a list of objectives this memorandum is meant to fulfill, and until those objectives are fulfilled the current legal code remains in effect.

Notably it specifies that any changes cannot run contrary to the defense of marriage act - they cannot redefine "spouse" and "marriage" for the purposes of dependent benefits. They have to use the definitions provided by DOMA, just as every other federal agency does.

So:

- Nothing changes right now
- A bunch of work is to commence now involving figuring out what to change, how to change it, how to make sure it implemented correctly, how to measure its effects, etc
- Any proposed changes will occur 60 days after the president and secretary of defense have received the results of the above work
- If any of the objectives are not met, the current code will remain in force
- Don't expect the changes to completely erase the differences - the same rules that deny benefits to same sex spouses of federal employees will deny same sex spouse benefits from military members.
- The law is meant only to affect a small portion of the military code, and may not affect, for instance, regulations against sodomy (which can be very broadly defined).

So while it's a step, it's not anywhere near a slam dunk for proponents of same sex equality.


#74



Chibibar

FLP: it is a small step but at least a step forward. Marriage will come eventually. Personally just toss out marriage and call it union across the board. People can keep their "marriage" word as long government benefits are equal across all couples.


#75

Covar

Covar

- The law is meant only to affect a small portion of the military code, and may not affect, for instance, regulations against sodomy (which can be very broadly defined).
Army policy (can't speak for other branches) no longer includes oral and anal sex as acts of sodomy. I don't know when it changed, I just remember that they stopped being listed in our annual briefings.


#76

Dave

Dave

And now it's been signed by Obama. DADT is officially gone. Thank God.


#77

@Li3n

@Li3n

So the moral of the story is that if you give the democrats a super-majority they're useless, but if it's more balanced they get stuff done...

So, has the water turned to blood and is it raining frogs conservative americans?


#78

D

Dubyamn

So the moral of the story is that if you give the democrats a super-majority they're useless, but if it's more balanced they get stuff done...

So, has the water turned to blood and is it raining frogs conservative americans?
Well they still have the majority of the seats until the lame duck session is over.

I actually think that the democrats are like engineers. You give them a project and let them get to it whenever you'll be lucky to get it inside of a year and it will be pretty crappy. However you take that same project, give them a deadline and ride em hard you'll get it just under the deadline and it really will be his best work.


#79

@Li3n

@Li3n

Actually i think that applies to most people, not just engineers... maybe voting should be moved out 6 months before the new guys take power...


#80

Covar

Covar

So the moral of the story is that if you give the democrats a super-majority they're useless, but if it's more balanced they get stuff done...

So, has the water turned to blood and is it raining frogs conservative americans?
My hometown is predicted to have it's first White Christmas since 1941. Does that count?


#81

@Li3n

@Li3n

My hometown is predicted to have it's first White Christmas since 1941. Does that count?
Only if Santa has his rainbow suit on.

Man, over here we had snow before and after Christmas, but it was +10 C On Christmas Eve... i guess repelling DADT must have affected the moral of the guys running the secret weather satellites.


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