Don't Ask Don't Tell...President Obama e-mails message! Senate repeals law!

Earlier today, the Senate voted 65 to 31 to repeal the controversial United States military policy - "Don't Ask Don't Tell" - which banned gays from serving openly in the U.S. forces.

The law was orignially endorsed by the Clinton Administration a scant few years ago - and has been under fire - ever since.

The lifting of the ban - a historical act on the part of the House - was made possible earlier today when six Republicans joined Democrats in a procedural vote that brought the measure to the floor.

Shortly after the news filtered in to the Tattler, I received a personal message from President Barack Obama, applauding the Government action.

The message read as follows:

Friend -


Moments ago, the United States Senate voted to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."


When that bill reaches my desk, I will sign it, and this discriminatory law will be repealed.


Gay and lesbian service members - brave Americans who enable our freedoms - will no longer have to hide who they are.


The fight for civil rights, a struggle that continues, will no longer include this one.


This victory belongs to you.

Without your commitment, the promise I made as a candidate would have remained just that.


Instead, you helped prove again that no one should underestimate this movement.

Every phone call to a senator on the fence, every letter to the editor in a local paper, and every message in a congressional inbox makes it clear to those who would stand in the way of justice: We will not quit.


This victory belongs to Senator Harry Reid, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and our many allies in Congress who refused to let politics get in the way of what was right.

Like you, they never gave up, and I want them to know how grateful we are for that commitment.


Will you join me in thanking them by adding your name to Organizing for America's letter?


I will make sure these messages are delivered - you can also add a comment about what the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" means to you.


As Commander in Chief, I fought to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" because it weakens our national security and military readiness.

It violates the fundamental American principles of equality and fairness.


But this victory is also personal.


I will never know what it feels like to be discriminated against because of my sexual orientation.


But I know my story would not be possible without the sacrifice and struggle of those who came before me - many I will never meet, and can never thank.


I know this repeal is a crucial step for civil rights, and that it strengthens our military and national security.

I know it is the right thing to do.


But the rightness of our cause does not guarantee success, and today, celebration of this historic step forward is tempered by the defeat of another - the DREAM Act.

I am incredibly disappointed that a minority of senators refused to move forward on this important, commonsense reform that most Americans understand is the right thing for our country.

On this issue, our work must continue.


Today, I'm proud that we took these fights on.


Please join me in thanking those in Congress who helped make the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal possible:


http://my.barackobama.com/Repealed


Thank you,


Barack

Congrats Mr. President!

http://www.thetattler.biz/

Don't Ask Don't Tell...injunction upsets Obama's apple cart! All is fair in Love & War...

The - "don't ask - don't tell" - hot potato policy issue on "gays" serving openly in the military continues to cause headaches for President Barack Obama and haunt the top brass at the Pentagon.

When Federal Judge Virginia Phillips (Riverside / CA) threw a monkey-wrench into Obama's plans to to take action on the controversial (looney-tunes Clinton-inspired law) this past week, the government was thrown into a quandary.

To appeal, or not to appeal, that was the question.

On Tuesday - U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips - ordered the military to immediately suspend and discontinue any investigation or other proceeding to dismiss gay service members under the law.

In response, Officials at the White House noted it was their intention to repeal the law on the "sit-on-the-fence" policy anyway.

Lawyer Dan Woods stated for the record that his client - the Log Cabin Republicans (who won the ruling on Tuesday) - were just notified that the Justice Department intends to appeal and seek a stay of the ruling.

The actions were confirmed by a person in the government keen on the administration's highly-volatile behind-closed-doors discussions.

In spite of the pledge to appeal the "order" - the defense Department's top lawyers confided Thursday - that they intend to abide by the court's ruling and allow gays to serve openly without penalty.

Case closed?

Not on your life, buddy!

At this juncture, it appears there is a clash of wills, hindering the inevitable.

And, a need to save face, if the Prez has his druthers.

Uh-huh!

The military doesn't want to go down on the battlefield defeated.

Not good for the morale of the straight soldiers in the ranks, I expect, eh?

In the final analysis, an old truism appears to apply, here.

All is fair in love and war!

Amen.

http://www.thetattler.biz

Don't Ask, Don't Tell...struck down by Senate! President blamed for miscalculating!

It wasn't even a squeaker!

Short of sixty votes, Democrats were forced to admit defeat today, when their bid for a repeal of the controversial Military policy - "Don't Ask, Don't tell" - was shot down by vigilant Republicans who gained the upperhand just moments ago once the votes were tallied in the Senate.

The outcome was a stinging blow to Senate Democrats and rights advocates who fought tooth-and-nail over the past year to have the military's stance on the issue of gays serving in the military overturned on Constitutional grounds.

The Bill's failure to pass means that an allotment of  $726 billion for defense programs - including a pay rise for the troops - slips through the cracks as well.

Politicians plotted to include the provisions for repeal  in the defense bill - with the hope that the Senate might vote "yeah" - if  only to save essential  military programs that legislators were not opposed to.

"The whole thing is a political train wreck," whined Richard Socarides, a former White House adviser on gay rights (who served with the Clinton administration).

Slick Willy was in the oval office when the policy originally went into effect, if you recall.

Socarides also accused the President of  outright "miscalculations" when the issue of the Pentagon's alleged bid for repeal was first raised.

The disgruntled activist took a swipe at the Democrats, too.

"If it was a priority for the Democratic leadership, they would get a clean vote on this," he said.

Interestingly, according to insiders, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev) voted against the measure as a procedural tactic.

Under Senate rules and regulations - casting a vote with the majority of the Senate bench-warmers - will enable the crafty politician to revive the bill at a later date if he so chooses.

He'll probably play the card for all its worth 'til then!.

In fact, Jim Manley - a Reid mouthpiece - has already conjectured that the Senator would be willing to allow more debate on the bill after the November elections.

"Today's vote isn't about arcane Senate procedures," Manley said.

"It's about a GOP's pattern of obstructing debate on policies important to the American people."

Indeed!

Since the policy was first made law in 1993, 13,000 soldiers have been discharged - for either openly admitting their homosexuality - or because they were outed by anti-gay troops in the ranks.

I did not have sex with that soldier!

http://www.thetattler.biz

"Don't ask, Don't tell" unconstitutional rules Federal Judge!

The ongoing policy to ban soldiers from professing the love that once dare not speak its name - in the Military, at least - was struck down on Thursday by a Federal Judge in Southern California.

In so many words, Her Honor - Judge Virginia Phillips - declared that the Government's - "Don't ask, Don't tell" - policy was unconstitutional because it violated the 1st Amendment rights of gays and lesbians.

Although Phillips granted an injunction to halt the long-standing policy, that will not be the end of it, according to a spokesperson at the White House.

Naturally, the U.S. Department of Justice will lodge an appeal in a higher court, and a whole new round of legal wranglings will commence with God speed.

Judge Phillips asserted that the controversial policy (enacted when Bill Clinton was in Office at the White House) did not help military readiness - but rather - had a direct and deleterious effect on the armed services.

The injunction push - the biggest of its kind in recent years - was brought by the Log Cabin Republicans which is purported to be the largest political organization for gays in the GOP.

The membership currently stands at approximately 19, 000.

The Executive Director - R. Clarke Cooper - was understandably elated at the outcome of the litigation at its current phase.

"As an American, a Veteran, and an Army reserve officer, I am proud that the court ruled that the arcane - "Don't ask, Don't tell" - statute violates the constitution," he beamed on the heels of the ruling.

He also took the occasion to note that the ruling was not just a big win for Log Cabin Republicans, but for all American Service members.

Government legal eagles responded quickly by asserting that Judge Phillips lacked the authority to issue a Nationwide injunction, however.

The policy - arcane or no - should be decided by Congress they sniffed.

The - "Don't ask, Don't tell" - policy prohibits the military from quizzing soliders about their sexual orientation and requires a discharge of those who acknowledge being gay (or who have been discovered to have engaged in homosexual activity on-or-off base).

The U.S. House voted in May to repeal the policy and the Senate  - if you believe what those who have their ears close to the wall say - is expected to follow suit in the next few months.

In that event, all pending litigation on the issue would be rendered "moot".

Rainbow Prez

(he's the one who didn't inhale)

http://www.thetattler.biz/

Don't Ask Don't tell...to be repealed! 78 percent of Americans say "no problem"...

In a  vote in the House Thursday evening, lawmakers gave a nod to an amendment that would repeal the - "Don't Ask  Don't Tell" - policy which has been tearing apart the Military.

In what is condsidered a party-line vote, 234 Democrats were in accord with the bid for a repeal, while 168 Republicans stood opposed (in addition to 26 Democrats who jumped ship to vote nay).

Behind closed doors, the Senate Armed Services Committee voted 16-12 to repeal the screwy policy which has been a bone of contention over the years.
 
The amendment requires a seal of approval from the full Senate before becoming Law.
 
The reaction on the Internet has been favorable in respect to the lifting of the ban.

"'Don't ask Don't tell" is a policy based on bigotry and ridiculous stereotypes," one CNN Blogger accused.

A CNN poll found that 78 percent of Americans have no problem with gays serving in the military.

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"Don't Ask - Don't Tell"...Soldiers have right to shower free of intrusion! Policy changes...

The battle rages on - not on the front - but in the locker rooms on military bases around the globe.

Once again, the Government was pressured to re-visit the controversial - "Don't Ask - Don't Tell" - policy which has rankled many in the ranks from day one.

Under the current rule of Law, originally enacted during the Clinton Administration, Military officers are barred from asking service members about their sexual orientation (or trying to determine it by dubious means).

Likewise, the Military's charges are required by law to keep their sexual orienation to themselves (not flaunt it or openly practice their sexual preference on base).

Although Barack Obama made a promise to take a second look at the policy on the campaign trail - with the aim of ending an on-the-fence "wish-washy" concept (typical of Bill Clinton) many found ludicrous - the President has stopped short of fulfilling it.

This past week, the Government appeared to be going in that direction, when the Department of Defense implemented stricter guidelines in respect to the thorny issue of discharging gay and lesbian soldiers under the "Don't Ask - Don't Tell" policy.

In a nutshell, the changes (effective immediately) raise the standard for charging that someone is gay.

Now, only Generals have the authority to approve discharges.

Insiders note that the revisions are basically a "stop gap" measure designed to maintain the status quo until Congress has the opportunity to debate whether the "Don't Ask - Don't Tell" law (instituted in 1993) should be repealed.

In recent days, some officers (who spoke anonymously for fear of retaliation) complained that if an officer didn't "like you" - a rumor might be launched with military-style precision - with the ultiimate aim of ousting the "accused" unjustly.

Under the new guidelines, clandestine accusations from the shadows, would not hold any water.

Someone who charges that a service member is gay or lesbian must  now testify under oath.

Only an officer can begin an investigation, lead one, and dismiss a service member if it is determined the allegations are true.

Under the old policy, Homosexuality (for either sex) was defined as "demonstrating a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts."

Now, the law stipulates that "the love that once dare not speak its name" arises from "engaging in or attempting to engage in a homosexual act or acts" or a statement by the individual that he or she is gay.

The changes apply to all "open cases" currently under review, too.

Since "Don't ask - Don't tell" went into effect military records reflect that thirteen-thousand members have left service.

"I believe these changes represent an important improvement in the way the current law is put into practice - above all - by providing a greater measure of common sense and common decency to a process for handling what are difficult and complex issues for all involved, " defense secretary Robert Gates asserted in a press conference on Friday.

Of course, the logistics of co-habitation - on the base and in the trenches - remains a touchy one for all military personnel.

Straight soliders complain about the prospect of having to share quarters with a homosexual.

And, likewise, have been quite vocal about their reluctance to shower with a soldier who is a sexually active gay man or woman.

Personally, I am inclined to take sides with the heterosexual soldiers when it comes to the issue of the body politic.

If I was a blond bimbo babe in uniform, I wouldn't warm up to the idea of showering with a bull dyke, for obvious reasons.

A straight solder also has a right to shower in privacy (or alongside a fellow straight dude) without fear that some gay guy is surreptiously stealing glances at his naked studly bod.

The situation is comparable to straight guys who constantly "cop feels" with women they're attracted to.

It's common sense!

If a male employee in a company in anywhere (USA) kept ogling the "boobs" of a secretary at the water cooler, he'd be brought up on charges of sexual harassment (I dare say!).

The critics who chuckle that straight soldiers need to "grow up" are the ones that are missing the point.

Even the military appears to hold the view that I do, when you consider the fact that an official put forth the notion that housing arrangements (two to a room), should be overhauled, too.

In fact, the top Officer at the Marines - General James Conway - announced this past week that he would not force Marines to share rooms with gay service members if Congress repeals the loopy "Don't ask" policy.

The General asserted for the record that an "overwhelming" number of Marines would be opposed to bunking with someone of a different sexual orientation.

Did he poll the officers or has he arrived at the numbers off-the-cuff, though?

"The Marine Corp may be inclined to phase out double-bed bunking accommodation in favor of single rooms for service members," he stated  matter-of-fact with no qualms about it.

Conway has been an outspoken opponent of the call for a repeal of the "Don't ask - Don't tell" law.

Why?

"I think the policy works," he testified at the Senate Armed Services committee meeting last month.

3 Star commander Army Lt. General Benjamin Mixon was rebuked for urging service members and their family members to lobby their elected officials against the changes in effect now.

If my memory of history serves me right, the Greeks actually promoted the practice of "gays" in the military on the assumption that homosexual men would fight valiantly (and fiercely) to protect their country and their male lovers on the battlefield.

Conway, on the other hand, argued that Marines worried that allowing gays to serve openly would harm unit cohesion and discipline.

Personally, I hold the position that if a soldier can pass muster on his or her capabilities alone, he or she should be allowed to serve.

As is the case in the heterosexual community, sexual misconduct would not be tolerated in the "gay" ranks, and would warrant discharge if proven in a fairing hearing in a court of law.

Yeah, there's no life like it!

http://www.thetattler.biz

http://www.facebook.com/julianayrs

Barack Obama...double-talk with Anderson Cooper signals slick Barry typical politician!

A large number of Americans tuned in the other night to 360 on CNN to catch the one-on-one historical interview Anderson Cooper conducted with the Prez on his jaunt overseas to Ghana.

On that auspicious occasion, many voters may have caught Barack Obama transform into a bona fide politician right before their eyes, as Cooper tried to pin the Commander-in-Chief down on key issues.

But, it proved to be a slippery task, even for the political-savvy news reporter!

For example, when Cooper (a gay man) queried (no pun intended) Obama about the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy in the Military - and his subsequent promise to end that antiquated stance on homosexuality in the ranks - Barack responded in true political style.

"Because the policy was enacted into law," Obama hedged, "I can't very well ask the Military not to enforce it."

At this juncture, the camera panned to a blank stare on Anderson's face.

Then, there was a deafening silence for a moment or two.

With a few carefully chosen words Barack managed to pick up the slack.

"Of course, I intend to take some action on that issue later on," he noted for the record or in words to that effect.

Ironically, his response was just as "on the fence" as the policy itself.

Yup.

Just like a true politician, Barack is now trying to appease both sides.

Consequently, the popular Prez is forced to talk out both sides of his mouth.

In the final analysis, Barack has blossomed into a full-fledged corrupt politician!

In fact, his wishy-washy maneuverings have started to smack a lot like those of slick Willy before him.

Slick Barry?

Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

Next, I expect the candidate for change will be saying he's never inhaled.

'Til now - Obama has managed to keep his di** in his pants - though.

With those of the female persuasion, at least.

Meanwhile, another issue rears its ugly - um - head!

How long is the Prez going to refuse to respond to the gay rumors running rampant on the blogosphere?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Just ask the "Globe".

http://www.julianayrs.com

Bill Clinton...caught in fly trap!

Bill Clinton...Viagra ad?

In the future I may be a little more cautious when I bend over and snatch up the Sunday paper...why?

Recently, the LA TIMES featured a handful of snapshots of politicians in various clinches - lip-locks with the Gores, the Giulianis - and yes - the Clintons.

Heh, I nearly lost my breakfast!

The caption read, "...in '08 a little leg may go a long way".

If sex sells, the probing Journalist theorizes, aspiring couples in the Presidential race - knowingly or not - may bring the issue to the fore.

The thrust of the article is whether "public displays of affection" (or PDA's,the code word we used as kids to signal a date to get the paws off) are an asset to a campaign or not.

One expert opines, "Politicians often say that a candidate's spouse is a negligible factor when it comes to choosing a candidate".

"A candidate's spouse has to be a possible enhancement, if not - at least cause no harm."

Well, in the instance of John Kerry, it may have been true.

How many voters were comfortable with the idea of the ketchup bottle heiress roaming the hallowed halls of the White House swilling an expensive glass of wine in hand?

If the photos are any indication, it is evident that calculated press ops should be kept at bay.

The Al & Tipper smooch is not only reminiscent of the forced one Michael Jackson planted on Lisa Marie's pert lips, but also the dry, uncomfortable peck Cruise tried to launch on Katie Holmes (Mission: Impossible).

The Giuliani still appeared staged and phony in one sense.

The Body Language - especially the prominent hand grips by both partners - on arm, shoulder, and face (!) - suggested that His Honor was holding on for dear life - lest the trophy wife take flight; while his other half may have been clutching just as fiercely for fear he'd catch the eye of a seductress seeking to be number four wife.

Notwithstanding, the impression elucidated subliminally, is that of sublime bondage, perhaps.

The shot of the Clintons takes the prize, though.

The whole attitude of the photograph - their stance - and especially her bare legs and his noticeable lack of muscle tone (the line in the song goes something like this: with a figure less than Greek...) offers up something entirely unique.

The image reminds me of two has-been celebrities trotted out on "Dancing with the Stars" - workin' out their moves - and praying for a second chance at the brass ring.

It'd make a good ad for Viagra or a time-share, without doubt.

One has to wonder, does Hillary still hanker for nookie with Bill?

Gee, if we don't ask, maybe they won't tell.