SOUNDBITES — “I am firmly committed to repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. To that end, I am working closely with Congressman Murphy and Senator Kennedy’s offices to develop support for repeal legislation and will be among the original co-sponsors of the bill when it’s introduced. In the weeks and months ahead, I plan to work with Lt. Choi to repair the damage that has been done to his career and spare thousands of innocent, brave men and women, from the same injustice.” —New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, voicing her support for gays in the military. We asked Gillibrand’s office what, specifically, she is doing to honor her “firm commitment” to repealing DADT; we’ll let you know if we hear an answer.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
I ‘will be among the original co-sponsors of the bill when it’s introduced’
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Karly
“I am working closely with Congressman Murphy and Senator Kennedy’s offices to develop support for repeal legislation and will be among the original co-sponsors of the bill when it’s introduced.”
I’m fairly certain that answers your question about what she is going to honor her commitment. What else, exactly, would you have a legislator do than introduce and support legislation?
BrianZ
@Karly: Until the legislation is actually introduced I believe it’s entirely fair to inquire as to what is being done. Or do you count yourself among those who take politicians at their word? That line of thinking has not proved so productive of late.
Personally, it takes more than a spoon full of sugar to swallow any of their promises. If it isn’t clearly identifiable action, it’s nothing. And as was the case with the ‘memo’ signed recently, even when it’s action it’s STILL often nothing.
Karly
I agree that politicians need to be held to their word. However, this website’s constant whining about the lack of action in Washington is growing tiresome. Things need to change, DOMA and DADT need to be repealed, and marriage needs to become legalized at a federal level. Yet, the expectation that all of these things can occur at the same time and so quickly after a regime change simply shows the naïveté the authors. Although I am fairly certain my words will be twisted, I am not giving Congress or the President a free pass for the lack of action. However, what good does it do to criticize when genuine efforts, such as that of Sen. Gillibrand, are being made? Seems counterintuitive to me. Shouldn’t we be supporting their actions and seeking to help in any way we can instead of constantly complaining that they aren’t doing enough?
jd
@Karly: On the contrary, we just want to know what our legislators are actually doing to enact this change. There is no criticism here (not yet, anyhow); just a stab at getting some transparency. Gillibrand also says she’s for same-sex marriage, but as of yet we’re unclear on what she’s done to push for its federal legalization.
Karly
@jd: I agree with the sentiment, but what would be an example of something she could actually be doing to enact change that would be more worthwhile than drumming up support, drafting, sponsoring, and introducing legislation?
ksu499
“We will work hard to consider planning to someday sponsor legislation…”
BrianZ
@Karly: I fail to see where anything in the article twists Gillibrand’s words. Could you point that out to me? I’m not trying to be antagonistic towards you, I just don’t see your point.
I do feel you on the tone of late. It’s harsh, and getting louder. It begins to feel uncomfortable after a while. Personally, I make the choice to set that aside and push onward. My elected officials hear it, family and friends, coworkers, strangers. I’ve had enough.
I’m a new queer this year. I’ve absolutely had ENOUGH of the broken promises made to encourage me to max out my political contributions. I’m tired of working my ass off and yet constantly being placed on the back burner. And I’m sure as hell tired of queers who are willing to settle for less than we deserve. I do support actions, but they are far too few and far between. The time for pretty speeches and promises is gone.
Karly
@BrianZ: I didn’t mean to imply that Sen. Gillibrand’s words were being twisted, so I apologize if it came across that way.
I agree with you that the empty rhetoric is frustrating. I just disagree that words like that of Sen. Gillibrand fall into that category. The difference, to me, is that she is giving tangible examples of what she will do, rather than saying things like “I support gay rights” or “I am dedicated to equality.”
As a community, we certainly need to call our politicians to task on the promises they have made. However, we also need to support them when they attempt to act and assist them in gaining support for such endeavors.
BrianZ
@Karly: “As a community, we certainly need to call our politicians to task on the promises they have made. However, we also need to support them when they attempt to act and assist them in gaining support for such endeavors.”
I’m on board with you there, 100% 🙂
Captain Freedom
There is absolutely nothing illegitimate about the anger, fury, outrage, and pure disgust being shown towards any politician with a (D) next to their name. We made the Democrats who they are.
All on my FB wall I have DNC friends saying “wait your turn”, “how dare you insult the President”, and telling me to basically get in line and shut the fuck up. WELL NOT THIS TIME
We were told this in 2002, in 2004 when Republicans fought for heterosexual Evangelical nationalism and for our extermination, in 2006, in 2008, and in 2009. In 2012, 2016, and 2020 they will be saying the same shit unless we get LOUD, ANGRY, AND PUT OUR MILLIONS INTO OUR COMMUNITIES AND TO FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY!
FUCK THE DNC! BRING DOWN THE ESTABLISHMENT!
michael @ leonardmatlovich.com
BRAVA for her. Now I hope she’ll join Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, SLDN, HRC, NGLTF, Servicemembers United, the NYT, ad infinitum who say the Prez legally can and should deep freeze disharges [circa 250 since he was sworn in] until repeal happens [which will be months at best].
———
IN MEMORIAM
LEONARD MATLOVICH
JULY 6, 1943 — JUNE 22, 1988
“When I was in the military they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one.”
NEVER FORGET
Brian Miller
Karly doesn’t get it. She’s complaining that we’re not understanding the terms that the politicians in Washington wish to impose upon us.
Well, she hasn’t been paying attention.
From this day forward, if they want votes and contributions, they need to start getting things done. If that means changing their silly “how things are done” non-rule rules, then they’d better get to it!
Gay people see a Congress that can “break procedure” to hand trillions to their big campaign contributors at banks and Wall Street firms… but which “takes its time” to make Constitutional rights a reality for us.
And we’re tired of it.
If they want to return to Washington, they’d better figure out how to take all that “magic fast passage” they found for TARP and the war in Iraq and put it to work on repealing DOMA and DADT too. Otherwise, they can return to civilian life as FORMER members of Congress when 7% of the vote and hundreds of millions of dollars in campaign cash stay home next November.
Karly
@Brian Miller: Difference of opinion does not indicate a lack of understanding. Also, please don’t purport to speak for an entire community (i.e. “gay people”) simply because you (and perhaps people you know) hold a specific set of views.
I appreciate the radical movement for pushing the discussion, and I understand the origins of the anger. However, you can yell, scream, and whine until you’re blue in the face and it will do little, if anything, to enact the sort of change we’re all seeking unless you’re also willing to acknowledge the reality of the situation in which we live.
J. Clarence
It’s nice rhetoric, and I’m glad Gillibrand is trying to earn her Liberal Wings, but I’ll become excited when it actually passes the Senate, since that legislative body is where bills go to die. The House on the other hand I am sure can and will pass a bill–and there is currently one there just sitting there so that tells you something.
There are only sixty Democrats (counting Al), and many of them are just Republicans in sheep’s clothing, so I’m not sure it will pass unless Obama comes behind it publicly. So that only makes me even more pessimistic.
Sam
@jd: Totally fair to ask for it. But realize, politics are a power struggle and a lot of times letting the opposition know your game plan is a horrendous move.
So don’t always assume that just because a pol doesn’t want to tell you their plan that there isn’t one. They may just be keeping it secret to try to avoid an ambush from the haters.
rick
weird seeing a woman that is pro guns and pro gay.
Captain Freedom
@rick: I don’t think there is anything weird about it. I’m very pro-gun/second amendment. If some redneck of the Aryan Nation tried to come up to your house or the house of anyone on this website I would support your full right to take out a pistol and blow their brains out.
Gays cannot give in to the liberal agenda 100%. We need to show some common sense when it comes to crime and guns. Although I myself do not own a gun I believe every gay person should consider it when you have these fascists on TV preaching death to us and their hate-crime Jihad against us.
Brian Miller
@Karly: please don’t purport to speak for an entire community
You first, dear.
you can yell, scream, and whine until you’re blue in the face and it will do little, if anything, to enact the sort of change we’re all seeking
Nobody is screaming and yelling except the Democrat apologists. Most people are discussing the implications of leaving the Dems high-and-dry in terms of votes and funding as a result of their do-nothing policies. Without us, the Democratic Party slips into minority status, and it’s time they paid a visit to opposition to learn the penalties of being political hos.