It doesn’t address transgendered service members, despite the fact that one of those brave people who chained themselves to the fence (Autumn Sandeen) is a transgendered American. So much for “equality”.

The only thing we have to hold hostage against Obama is our vote. Perhaps FDL action could create a web page where people who previously voted for Obama pledge not to again unless our demands of X, Y, and Z are met. If we could get that number up into the millions, it might get his attention.

– Tom

You know what? I quit. I try to point this out on Kos, on TPM and on Huffington Post and the reaction is unanimous. Transgendered = okay to discriminate against but gays and lesbians are not. Asking about civil rights for all is “petty”, “pathetic” and some other things less mod friendly. The only place I get even a modicum of sympathy for my position is right here. I quit. Done. I know some will be ecstatic about that. I’m just fucking depressed. So much for allies.

George Chauncey makes an important point about the repeal of DADAT in this NYT Op-ed

I agree with this post EW . However allow me to add a few observations to qualify that agreement.

1. The administration saw clear political advantages to this .

Democrats and Obama having been handed a serious defeat in Nov. realise that unless they bring some of the sheep back into the fold again their chances in the next election aren’t looking much better.

Also there is little down side to the democratic party or Obama in passing this legislation since it is both supported by the American public and the military itself largely. The dream act on the other hand is another story.

Call me a cynic but the dream act is also held hostage to political calculation but there is a greater risk of passing it politically.
The loss of slave labor in the US working in fear without basic rights.

That’s bad for industry, so merely bringing the legislation up for a vote and not passing it is probably for the best in the eyes of the our corporate Renfields in Washington.Like I said , I’m a cynic.

2. While I applaud the use of civil disobedience,as with the recent arrests over the war in which Chris Hedges and Daniel Ellsberg participated, the civil disobedience was entirely symbolic .

The truth is that our country and it’s democracy are probably finished. Most Americans are both uneducated through lack of time and credible information and apathetic because they are not living in the streets and still in their homes.

Americans sleep comfortably while their tax dollars fund death and misery abroad and their government proves itself , beyond the shadow of a doubt, to be brutal fascists who have no use for democracy except as a symbol for propaganda purposes.

Symbolic protest will probably not be enough, and real opposition , even non violently , would probably be branded as treason and would entail huge courage.

yes, just listen to Obama “take credit” for the end of DADT:

Now, many fought long and hard to reach this day. I want to thank the Democrats and Republicans who put conviction ahead of politics to get this done together. (Applause. I want to recognize Nancy Pelosi — (applause) — Steny Hoyer — (applause) — and Harry Reid. (Applause.)

Today we’re marking an historic milestone, but also the culmination of two of the most productive years in the history of Congress, in no small part because of their leadership. And so we are very grateful to them. (Applause.)

I want to thank Joe Lieberman — (applause) — and Susan Collins. (Applause.) And I think Carl Levin is still working — (laughter) — but I want to add Carl Levin. (Applause.) They held their shoulders to the wheel in the Senate. I am so proud of Susan Davis, who’s on the stage. (Applause.) And a guy you might know — Barney Frank. (Applause.) They kept up the fight in the House. And I’ve got to acknowledge Patrick Murphy, a veteran himself, who helped lead the way in Congress. (Applause.)

I also want to commend our military leadership. Ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was a topic in my first meeting with Secretary Gates, Admiral Mullen, and the Joint Chiefs.

what a greedy, selfish, glory-hogging bastard!

OMG, he’s going to take even more credit:

nd two years later, I’m confident that history will remember well the courage and the vision of Secretary Gates — (applause) — of Admiral Mike Mullen, who spoke from the heart and said what he believed was right — (applause) — of General James Cartwright, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs; and Deputy Secretary William Lynn, who is here. (Applause.) Also, the authors of the Pentagon’s review, Jeh Johnson and General Carter Ham, who did outstanding and meticulous work — (applause) — and all those who laid the groundwork for this transition.

And finally, I want to express my gratitude to the men and women in this room who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Services. (Applause.) I want to thank all the patriots who are here today, all of them who were forced to hang up their uniforms as a result of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” — but who never stopped fighting for this country, and who rallied and who marched and fought for change. I want to thank everyone here who stood with them in that fight.

makes me sick! sick, i say!

This is the shape of things to come unless those in Washington and their masters among the richest Americans find it in themselves to join the rest of the human race and act compassionately.

http://www.disclose.tv/action/viewvideo/62750/Home_Defenders_League/

Considering that the US spends as much as the entire planet on it’s military and is presently conducting wars for resources no different than Japan or Germany which have taken more than a miliion innocent lives and maimed and refugeed several times that, is this really a victory at all ?