"Get Equal" Gets Active!/White House: No Repeal Of DADT This Year; Increasing 'Revolt' In Congress For Passage This Year!

"Get Equal" Gets Active!
By David Mixner
Copyright By David Mixner
Apr 21 2010
http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/04/get-equal-gets-active-.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29



Washington protests 1 This week begins another round of marches, rallies and protests launched by or with the assistance of the new powerhouse organization - Get Equal. There is no question that some of the tactics and actions will inspire debate even among the LGBT community and its allies. So far this week, protesters interrupted President Obama at a fundraiser for Senator Barbara Boxer in California. In addition, six military veterans in uniform got arrested in front of the White House. They were led by Lt. Dan Choi which makes it his second arrest in a month.

The press reports that President Obama looked very annoyed at the protesters and proclaimed that Senator Boxer and he are our friends. Indeed, unquestionably, they are. But we always expect more from our friends. In fact, at the White House, the press was aggressively pushed back across the park in order to make it more difficult to cover the arrests. This is rarely done in any situation. Those responsible for such stupidity should remember that, in this case, out of sight is not out of mind.

Because he is our friend and because he promised us repeal of oppressive laws and regulations, he must be held accountable. Words without actions anymore have no meaning. There is no question that hearing the President elegantly speak the words of repeal around DADT is moving, especially considering the administration he replaced. But when it isn't coupled with action and, in fact, the actions might be urging further delay, then it is our responsibility to hold him, the Congress and the Democratic Party responsible.

My friends say the protesters should focus on the TeaBaggers. Yea, right, like that is going to bring a lot of change. Our focus in protest is exactly where it should be for now. The President made promises in his campaign. Then last year they begged us to wait until healthcare passes. Now they are talking about the elections and that the military is not ready for the change right now. They have to study homosexuals to see if we are safe to serve with others. Just as predicted by this column last year, the Blue Dog Democrats are getting restless and asking the Democratic leadership not to force another tough vote for them.

For decades we have waited for a political party to deliver on their promises to remove oppression from the LGBT community. The wait is over. No more piecemeal legislation and no more empty promises. No more passionate words without actions. The time is now. They made the promises and they should keep them.





White House: No Repeal Of DADT This Year; Increasing 'Revolt' In Congress For Passage This Year!
By David Mixner
Copyright By David Mixner
Apr 21 2010
http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/04/white-house-not-this-year-for-repeal-of-dadt-increasing-revolt-in-congress-for-passage-this-year.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29



Washington Protests Despite repeated promises that DADT would be repealed this year, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs announced that no action would be taken until the military ends its study. At the earliest, such a study wouldn't be completed until at least December. Gibbs pronouncement validates the speculation that has been sweeping Washington the last weeks that the administration was backing off its promise of repeal this year.

Today's Denver Post carried a story that there is a fledging revolt of Democratic Senators who are no longer willing to follow White House direction on this issue. The article "Dems in Congress Unwilling to Wait....." by Michael Riley highlights Senator Mark Udall who wants DADT repealed this year no matter what anyone else wants.

With that story, I have spent the day visiting on the phone with extremely reliable sources on Capitol Hill in both the Senate and House. With over twenty calls, I have been able to determine that the revolt is perhaps much larger than the media realizes. There is a sense of total frustration with the administration. They just don't understand why the White House won't move on this issue. Many of persons on the Hill that I spoke too are from states with large urban populations, including in the South. They feel the failure to vote this year on DADT will have a 'chilling effect' regarding voter turn out in the Fall elections. Those interviewed think that not only will many LGBT citizens stay home but also other progressives.

One high ranking staffer said, "We are going to get creamed in our district since we need the gay vote. It is just only a matter of time that what is happening to Pelosi in San Fran works it way down to our districts. We don't fucking need it. For God sakes, lets get this out of the way." An elected official in DC told me, "If the President digs in, he then guarantees that the debate will be ugly and divisive. I am really concerned about their intransigence." Another Chief of Staff confided to me that this is a 'huge mistake' since it was the President himself that set the expectations.

All that I spoke too have been involved in internal meetings to develop strategy to move this issue forward despite the White House. The "Denver Post" could have just unveiled the tip of the iceberg on this one.

David Mixner's Speech at the Point Foundation Award Ceremony April 22, 2010. http://www.davidmixner.com/2010/04/for-those-of-you-interestedmy-speech-at-point-foundation.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DavidMixnerCom+%28DavidMixner.com%29