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SISQO MC

Posts: 3,292

"He's so deep in my daydreams..."

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Dec 18 10 4:33 PM

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Now it goes to Obama to sign into law!

Sing, sing in exaltation!!!!
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SISQO MC

Posts: 3,292 "He's so deep in my daydreams..."

#1 [url]

Dec 18 10 4:44 PM

(Reuters) - The Congress on Saturday voted to repeal the ban against gays serving openly in the military and sent the measure to President Barack Obama for his signature.

The Senate voted 65-31 to end 17-year-old "don't ask, don't tell," policy just after breaking through a Republican procedural roadblock which had held up the White House-backed legislation. The House of Representatives passed the bill earlier this week as lawmakers pushed to complete their work before the new Congress is seated in January.

"By ending 'don't ask, don't tell,' no longer will our nation be denied the service of thousands of patriotic Americans forced to leave the military, despite years of exemplary performance, because they happen to be gay. And no longer will many thousands more be asked to live a lie in order to serve the country they love," Obama said in a statement before the final vote.

Obama vowed during his 2008 presidential campaign to end the ban, which he denounced as unfair, unwise and a violation of basic human rights. He had been criticized by liberal groups who said he had failed to push hard enough to end the policy.

More than 13,000 men and women have been expelled from the military under "don't ask, don't tell," which allows gays to serve in the armed forces as long as they keep their sexual orientation secret. Many of those dismissed have said they hope to return to service.

Former Air Force Major Mike Almy, at a press conference with Senate leaders following the vote, said he was dismissed after another officer read his private e-mails to loved ones back home. He faced mortar attacks while commanding a unit of 200 in Iraq and was recommended to be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

"There is nothing more that I want than to resume my career as an officer and a leader in the Air Force," he said.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and other supporters of the repeal had argued that Congress needed to act if the military was to have time for an orderly transition to the new policy, A U.S. court-ordered end to "don't ask, don't tell" would be disruptive, he said.

Once the bill is signed into law, the Pentagon will have an undetermined amount of time -- possibly months -- to educate service members and prepare for the policy change before it is ready to 'certify' the repeal.

When the repeal is certified, there will be another 60-day period before the new policy of allowing gays to openly serve takes effect. Until that time "don't ask don't tell" is still in effect.

"The only method of repeal that places the timing of the repeal and control of implementation in the hands of the military leaders is enactment of this bill," said Senator Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Repeal of the military service policy was one of the last acts of the Democratic-led Congress. Republicans won control of the House in the November elections and narrowed the Democratic majority in the Senate.

Opponents of gays serving openly in the military argue that lifting the ban would undermine order and discipline and harm unit cohesiveness, especially among combat troops.

Republican opposition has been largely led by Obama's 2008 White House challenger, Senator John McCain, a former Navy pilot and prisoner of war in Vietnam.

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BeyondIdolization

Posts: 24,900

May we always be together...
In the sands of time

#6 [url]

Dec 19 10 6:08 PM

This was one of those things about the US that most of us Europeans just go "huh????" to. The US is always condemning the Middle East, but in many ways they are very much alike, blatant discrimination like this being one area.

 

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Kevon

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Posts: 37,602 'Showing receipts and offering seats'

#7 [url]

Dec 19 10 6:42 PM

^Yeah, for a country of their size and dominance in the world, they are surprisingly backward about a lot of things.



Wrapped up in a shady tortilla

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Vincent

Posts: 19,759


Me. I am Vinny...The Shady Wordsmith

#9 [url]

Dec 20 10 1:14 PM

Good on principle, I suppose, but sh!t... now what am I supposed to do if they have a draft?


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Vincent, dahhhhling.

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rainbow1199

Posts: 12,520 Often imitated, never duplicated.

#10 [url]

Dec 21 10 1:21 AM

BeyondIdolization wrote:
This was one of those things about the US that most of us Europeans just go "huh????" to. The US is always condemning the Middle East, but in many ways they are very much alike, blatant discrimination like this being one area.
Truth. Israel ended military discrimination on sexuality in 1993 lol.

image

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kittykow105

Posts: 9,984 B!tch, don't kill my vibe...

#11 [url]

Dec 21 10 10:28 AM

BeyondIdolization wrote:
This was one of those things about the US that most of us Europeans just go "huh????" to. The US is always condemning the Middle East, but in many ways they are very much alike, blatant discrimination like this being one area.
I've always wondered why we haven't split up the country like North & South Korea.  Just put all the ignorant tea baggers and 'fiscally conservative' (my ass) somewhere else. smiley: laugh

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kittykow105

Posts: 9,984 B!tch, don't kill my vibe...

#13 [url]

Dec 21 10 2:59 PM

BeyondIdolization wrote:
^ That wouldn't actually be a bad idea, seriously.
The staggering numbers of Republican voters, usually come from the South or mid-west and feel like a different planet IMO.  I live in the Washington D.C. area, and while you find 'fiscally conservative' republicans that want 'less taxes,' you rarely find the crazy Alaskan loving ones.  They might as well just separate us smiley: laugh

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SISQO MC

Posts: 3,292 "He's so deep in my daydreams..."

#14 [url]

Dec 21 10 8:52 PM

^The country really is divided in two just enough to teeter back and forth every election.

Just think if the country is split into the Democratic States of America and the Republican States of America, they will further split themselves into two as well. Republicans will divide themselves into two parties and have the Libertarians and the Reaganauts. I'm sure there will be just as much bickering and fighting. Humanity always organizes so there's a counterbalance. It's a weird phenomenon.

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