Reinstate the draft? Okay, but the American people need to be able to weigh in when some cowboy in office capriciously decides to involve this country in its various "conflicts." I'm assuming a draft can only be inacted with congressional declaration of "war" and not just because someone has a poorly-planned vendetta against a foreign dictator. People like these must remember these men and women are soldiers, defending our freedoms and protecting others. They are not fodder to fuel the fire of global egos.

This is... FRUSTRATING. I'm glad you guys covered the story, though. We need to put some serious pressure on Nancy Pelosi... and hopefully she'll recieve a lot of that pressure at home, in San Francisco.

Someone needs to remind these people that it's not "moderate" or "centrist" to discriminate against gay people in the workplace. The vast majority of America is against it - even a lot of the legitimate bigots. DADT is a horrible, horrible policy and has no place in America.

I think you have misunderstood the quote- it says that Nancy Pelosi is trying to rein in such liberal ambitions as reinstating the draft and gays in the military:

"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her top deputies are busily working in private and public to rein in the liberal ambitions of some senior party heavyweights --including proposals to reinstate the military draft and end the Pentagon's ban on gays in uniform."

"Center" is just code for keep the gays at the back of the bus. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

Why don't they stop trying to go after kids who don't want to serve and keep the people who do want to serve?

Funny how no one ever points DADTDI as one of Clinton's supposed victories while in office.

I'm gonna get shit for this, but I agree with her that DADT is NOT the most important item on the agenda. As a proud gay man, I completely support allowing gays in the military. At this time I think oversight of the war is more pressing and determining how to extricate our country from this mess.

Also, As a somewhat practical person who follows politics, Dems need to get some quick accomplishments under their belts to "prove" they can actually legislate and not just sit in the wings. Starting with polarizing issues won't do that.

I love this blog...but right now I'm a little annoyed...why in the world would you take such a cowardly position as to say that it's great that Pelosi is opposed to the draft and opposed to repealing DADT as the same thing? It's idiotic to think that by not supporting a draft that that means that you won't get called into service. If we're going to have true equality - we have to demand it (which means repealing DADT) AND, ALL AT THE SAME TIME, accept the responsibilities that comes with it...like serving in the military when called upon. To say that we (as gay men and women) are pleased that opposition to war will keep us out of war is reason enough to make up for not repealing DADT is spineless, cowardly and totally whimpy: exactly what most of American needs to understand is NOT the typical gay person. Geez...

STOP THE MUSIC!!! I thought Reichen overturned DADT!!!!

What? He just turned over?

Never mind.

all the lefties who thought that this last election meant that happy days are here again are in for a rude awakening. it was the election of conservative dems that put them over the top, running on god, guns, and gays (fer 'em, fer 'em, and agin 'em). pelosi has said that she doesn't want to get anywhere near "divisive issues" (like the rights of people like you and me) and, as was noted above, let's never forget that it was bill clinton who saddled us with the 'defense of marriage act' and 'don't ask don't tell' (and advised kerry to come out against equal marriage rights). with friends like these ...... well, you know the rest.

p.s. .. as for the draft, that's just a disingenous ruse being put forward by charley rangel to force congressmen to face the possibility of their own children being sent off to war and, therefore, they'd supposedly be less likely to authorize any further ventures (as if there aren't ways to get out of a draft.) even he doesn't really support a draft and nobody else, repub or dem, is ready to touch that one... it's just political theater. didn't someone once say that politics is just showbiz fo ugly people ?

I worked in Democratic Politics for nine years, almost exclusively on House campaigns. I left politics earlier this year because I realized that I was working to elect people that did not have my interests at heart, or wanted to work against them. Why did I do it? Because they had "Democrat" next to their name.

I understand political reality. I also understand that there are gay people serving in the military under constant threat of losing their job if they are honest. This is beyond disgusting. It is immoral to ask people to fight in a war, but lie about themselves under threat of firing. The psychological toll that this takes on people is horrific.

While I used to be the guy that would applaud the "party line", no more. I am not willing to "wait my turn" to "further the party agenda" anymore. I'm worth more than that.

El polacko, you've been listening to too much James Carville.

Out of all the Democrats who took over Republican seats, maybe 3-4 of them are "blue dogs" style. The vast majority of them are either progressive, liberal or libertarian. Even guys like Jon Tester and James Webb are against any constitutional amendments banning gay marriage.

The progressives in Congress are heading a LOT of the committees and there's a very good chance guys like Barney Frank will say screw Pelosi, we're repealing DADT.