Rep. Patrick Murphy introduces bill to repeal DADT

[TwinTownBisonFan]

Got this from Patrick this morning:

Just a few minutes ago, we officially announced that I have taken the lead as the chief sponsor for The Military Readiness Enhancement Act – the bill that will finally repeal the policy known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” I have been speaking out against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” for a long time – first as an ROTC cadet, then as a professor at West Point, and later as a candidate and a congressman. To now take the lead on such an important piece of legislation is an honor and a privilege beyond words.

This is going to be a busy day full of meetings, hearings, and interviews. We’ll be putting a ton of content on our Facebook page and even launching a new website dedicated to this issue (www.letthemserve.com). But before it all got started I wanted to thank you for giving me the opportunity to stand up and fight for for the values we all believe in. I couldn’t do this without you, and I’ll never forget that.

Thank you again for your support – I hope I am making you proud.

Sincerely,

Patrick Murphy

Murphy, the only Iraq war veteran in Congress, served in the 82nd airborne and taught at west point.

[Wedgebuster]

Airborne huh? Those guys have always been preoccupied by their chutes.

[Gil Dobie]

Good to hear, but will Obama support it?

[UNI88]

Good to hear, but will Obama support it?

Might be time to put his money where his mouth is on this one.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

I think he's been waiting for Congress to take the lead on it to be honest. He'll sign if it's passed.

[Wedgebuster]

I think he's been waiting for Congress to take the lead on it to be honest. He'll sign if it's passed.

Maybe he can hope they attach a pot legalization bill to it while they're at it.

[Ibanez]

Great, Openly gay dudes in the military. What's next? Drug abuse in the MLB?

[bobbythekidd]

I haven't read the bill, but based on the first post in the thread it will go back to the way it was before DADT?

They can ask if you are gay and won't let an openly gay person serve. Right?

[dbackjon]

I haven't read the bill, but based on the first post in the thread it will go back to the way it was before DADT?

They can ask if you are gay and won't let an openly gay person serve. Right?

No. It will allow gays to serve openly

[dbackjon]

I think he's been waiting for Congress to take the lead on it to be honest. He'll sign if it's passed.

Obama better not take that chickenshit way out. Since this was in his platform he needs to show leadership and push this through

[TwinTownBisonFan]

I think he's been waiting for Congress to take the lead on it to be honest. He'll sign if it's passed.

Obama better not take that chickenshit way out. Since this was in his platform he needs to show leadership and push this through

it's a question (as i've been saying) of political capital. allow murphy and other dems in the congress to carry the water on this one, not expend capital on this, it will pass without the WH pushing it.

[ASUMountaineer]

Should have been done a long time ago.

[Chizzang]

I don't see what the big deal is, the Empire has had this policy for centuries....

[dbackjon]

Obama better not take that chickenshit way out. Since this was in his platform he needs to show leadership and push this through

it's a question (as i've been saying) of political capital. allow murphy and other dems in the congress to carry the water on this one, not expend capital on this, it will pass without the WH pushing it.

Again more politicL bullshit from a party operative. This needs to go through quickly. We have fucking earned capital for Obama. He needs to follow up on his promises. I know this is a sport to you. But these are real lives involved. Bullshit statements like yours does nothing to help the pArty. If you want to be part of thesolution then u would be advocTing Obama pushing for equality

[bobbythekidd]

Should have been done a long time ago.

Yup. It was a stupid idea to introduce DADT to begin with. Now if we can just restructure the bill to keep homosexuals out it will be a good idea.

[Grizalltheway]

Should have been done a long time ago.

Yup. It was a stupid idea to introduce DADT to begin with. Now if we can just restructure the bill to keep homosexuals out it will be a good idea.

[bobbythekidd]

Yup. It was a stupid idea to introduce DADT to begin with. Now if we can just restructure the bill to keep homosexuals out it will be a good idea.

Shake your head all you want, but you can't convince me that gays in the military or women in the military has ever been a good idea. When you know what you are talking about, I'll read your reasoning.

[Grizalltheway]

Shake your head all you want, but you can't convince me that gays in the military or women in the military has ever been a good idea. When you know what you are talking about, I'll read your reasoning.

You're right, a gay person shouldn't be able to serve their country because they might be attracted to a fellow soldier. Makes perfect sense.

I respect your service and your opinion, but you're not going to convince me that it isn't a perfectly okay idea.

Also, does the gentlemen who taught at West Point and is sponsoring this bill "know what he is talking about", or do you dismiss him, as well?

[bobbythekidd]

You're right, a gay person shouldn't be able to serve their country because they might be attracted to a fellow soldier. Makes perfect sense.

Nice knee jerk. Someone being attracted to me, yeah, that's the problem.... I guess that is why I said women should be in the military in the same sentence. Could you imagine the horror I would feel if a female soldier was attracted to me? Again, I'll wait while you figure this out.

Even though I don't agree with the idea, I'd let gays in before I would have let females in.

[Ibanez]

You're right, a gay person shouldn't be able to serve their country because they might be attracted to a fellow soldier. Makes perfect sense.

Nice knee jerk. Someone being attracted to me, yeah, that's the problem.... I guess that is why I said women should be in the military in the same sentence. Could you imagine the horror I would feel if a female soldier was attracted to me? Again, I'll wait while you figure this out.

Even though I don't agree with the idea, I'd let gays in before I would have let females in.

I'm curious, why don't you want females in? I say, if you are willing to sacrifice your life for your country, then you are welcome in the military.

[bobbythekidd]

It's not that simple Mark. It's easy to stand outside and throw stones, but it's not a job you go to then go home. It is a life you live, and women get in the way of that life. To a lesser degree gays would mess it up too.

[Ibanez]

It's not that simple Mark. It's easy to stand outside and throw stones, but it's not a job you go to then go home. It is a life you live, and women get in the way of that life. To a lesser degree gays would mess it up too.

Hm...I think I may be getting your point. Then again, I am dumb so bear with me.

[OL FU]

DADT = Don't ask Don't tell. I thought it was the Defense against Dark Tarts

[TwinTownBisonFan]

bob... you still haven't answered the question that's far more pressing... while you are quick to dismiss grizza... what about the Congressman, Iraq War veteran, former west point professor and paratrooper who is saying this policy makes no sense?

[TwinTownBisonFan]

it's a question (as i've been saying) of political capital. allow murphy and other dems in the congress to carry the water on this one, not expend capital on this, it will pass without the WH pushing it.

Again more politicL bullshit from a party operative. This needs to go through quickly. We have fucking earned capital for Obama. He needs to follow up on his promises. I know this is a sport to you. But these are real lives involved. Bullshit statements like yours does nothing to help the pArty. If you want to be part of thesolution then u would be advocTing Obama pushing for equality

It's not a game... it's the countries business... but I'm capable of seeing beyond one issue and thinking broadly and strategically about advancing an entire agenda... not just one issue that could potentially use up a disproportionate amount of political capital. Obama pushing the bill publically isn't going to move more members to vote for it anymore than private cajoling from he and Rahm.

The sticking point for this bill (according to contacts in the know... and I'm pretty close to this one) is the Senate. the dems have 60 votes, but Ben Nelson won't support it. western dems will balk as will dems in re-election years... and they may not have enough votes to stop a GOP filibuster.