Sure, the president and his subordinates have told you they want a legislative repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, but there doesn’t seem to be any movement from the White House actually encouraging legislators to do so. When it comes to the Pentagon, it’s all but sitting on its hands. But surely, when an elected member of Congress asks the president “Uh, WTF?,” he’ll get an answer, right?
Wrong.
Florida Rep. Alcee Hastings went public again Thursday with a letter to Obama, asking him why, after reaching out two months ago, he’s yet to receive anything concrete back from the White House.
You’ll recall that Hastings added, and then one day later rescinded an amendment to the Defense Department’s budget bill that would have instructed it not to spend one more penny investigating DADT dismissals, effectively killing the policy while leaving it on the books. But at the last moment, “pressure” from Democratic colleagues kept him from pushing for the legislation. Then he went on record, noting the lines of communication to kill the amendment went all the way up to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
So there Hastings was Thursday, typing up a letter to the president, reminding him more than 75 reps in Congress have asked him to halt DADT investigations — to no avail. “While I commend Secretary [Robert] Gates and the Pentagon’s general counsel for their continued efforts to identify possible provisional measures, you can take action right now,” he writes. “I sincerely hope that your administration will make ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ a priority and do everything in its power to repeal this ridiculous, bigoted law once and for all.”
Amen.
Landon Bryce
I love Alcee Hastings! Just emailed his office to say thanks and let him know that I appreciate the work he is doing for equality
Michael @ LeonardMatlovich.com
Bravo for Hastings!
The Palm Center demonstrated by an analysis of daily media hits on DADT that the White House does respond to PRESSURE. The White House tea for the gays and Secretary of Defense Gates bullshit about searching for a “more humane” way to regulate discharges came AFTER many gays stopped giving money to the DNC…AND the demands on the WH to explain why the Big O had gone back on his explicit promises to fight for repeal the moment he took office.
Then some collaborationists gays started distracting MSM with attacks on the idea of an executive order and the number of daily stories fell by 50%.
Obama Inc. is still smile fucking us about wanting to get rid of DADT but they are doing NOTHING…except continuing to discharge gays day after day after day…376 since he was inaugurated and counting.
Chris P
President Obama .
I am an Obama delegate from Precinct 68* in Texas. I waited almost an entire Saturday of my life last year at the (super unorganized) Houston County Precinct Convention to vote for you.
I expect action and leadership on your part on DADT, ENDA, Marriage Equality, etc.
We are all waiting on you do do something/anything/ NOW!
spindoc
Nice!
Even though I’m not in his district, I found his campaign site. I”m going to send donation to this guys reelection campaign. Here is the site if anybody else wants to. I would hit him with an e-mail letting him know where the extra money is coming from too.
http://www.alceeforcongress.com/
M Shane
Wow, it’s amazing that in that whole Congress we’ve got almost nobody with the gumption to stand up for human rights. This guy’s got courage, and convictions for sure.
edgyguy1426
Ooops! we got the wrong president!
wondermann
Alcee, join Patrick Murphy and the others who are working on the repeal. Writing letters ain’t cutting it.
I respect Alcee, but this letter writing thing isn’t effective. He needs to get in there and work.
Michael @ LeonardMatlovich.com
@wondermann:
Uh, the immediate subject is Obama or the Secretary of Defense using their fully legal powers to freeze discharges UNTIL repeal happens.
The secondary subject is that Obama Wan Kenobi hasn’t even bothered to give the 77 elected members of the United States Congress who signed the previous letter to him the courtesy of a reply. Even one that says, “No, I’m not going to do that and here’s why…..”
[img]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pp-iA4noXjo/Si2h7LOV0iI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/3E_udg8N35o/s320/Obama-003.jpg[/img]
Lloyd Baltazar
Quelle surprise. OBAMA is a liar and I am ashamed to have wasted my vote on him. He promised Gay marriage and equal rights for all LGBT people but he does not do anything! I feel cheated!
schlukitz
It was my pleasure to send Congressman Hastings my email of thanks for doing the right thing by standing up for the equality all Americans.
schlukitz
@Lloyd Baltazar:
I feel cheated
You, Sir, are not alone!