WASHINGTON (AP) — It’s John McCain versus Lady Gaga on Tuesday as the Senate takes up the emotional issue of repealing the ban on gays serving openly in the military.
Senate Democrats have attached repeal of the 17-year-old “don’t ask, don’t tell” law to a bill authorizing $726 billion in military spending next year. The fate of the move appears uncertain, but whichever way the votes go, repeal seems destined to become a major issue in this fall’s midterm elections.
The law is already under siege. A federal judge in California recently ruled the ban on gays was unconstitutional, polls suggest a majority of Americans oppose it and Lady Gaga has challenged it in a YouTube video.
Repeal advocates say the law deprives the military of capable soldiers and violates civil rights.
But McCain of Arizona and other prominent Republicans are fighting to keep the law in place, at least until the Pentagon completes a survey later this year on repeal’s likely effect on troops. GOP critics say lifting the ban at a time when troops are fighting two wars would undermine morale.
“I regret to see that the long-respected and revered Senate Armed Services Committee has evolved into a forum for a social agenda of the liberal left of the Senate,” McCain said last week on the Senate floor.
An estimated 13,000 people have been discharged under the law since its inception in 1993. Although most dismissals have resulted from gay service members outing themselves, gay rights’ groups say it has been used by vindictive co-workers to drum out troops who never made their sexuality an issue.
Top defense leaders, including Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen, have said they support a repeal but want to move slowly to ensure changes won’t hurt morale.
Gates has asked Congress not to act until the military finishes a study, due Dec. 1, on how to lift the ban without causing problems.
He also has said he could live with the proposed legislation because it would postpone implementation until 60 days after the Pentagon completes its review and the president certifies that repeal won’t hurt morale, recruiting or retention.
The provision is included in a broader defense policy bill that authorizes $726 billion in military spending for next year, including $159 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and a 1.4 percent pay raise for the troops.
By reviving the issue just before the midterm Congressional elections, Democrats are trying to score points with their political base and portray Republicans as obstructionists willing to shoot down a bill that includes the pay raises.
According to a February 2010 poll by the Pew Research Center, 61 percent of Americans said they favor allowing gays to serve openly, while 27 percent said they are opposed.
“Don’t ask, don’t tell” has become a perennial battleground in America’s ongoing culture wars. This time, though, the forces backing repeal seem closer to victory than ever because Democrats control both the White House and Congress.
The House has already passed similar legislation. More recently, a federal judge in Los Angeles sided with a gay rights group and ruled that the military’s policy violates due-process and free-speech rights.
Pop star Lady Gaga led a political rally in favor of repeal in Maine on Monday. The state is home to the two Republican senators — Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins — seen as most likely to side with Democrats on the issue. Lady Gaga said it was unjust to have goodhearted gay soldiers booted from military service while straight soldiers who harbor hatred toward gays are allowed to fight for their country.
She suggested a new policy should target straight soldiers who are “uncomfortable” with gay soldiers in their midst.
“Our new law is called ‘If you don’t like it, go home!’” she said.
Collins and Snowe have not said how they will vote this week. While Collins sided with Democrats during committee deliberations on the bill, Snowe says she would prefer to keep the ban intact until the Pentagon completes its Dec. 1 study.
In a statement, Snowe also raised questions about procedural tactics being used by Democrats to limit debate on the bill by restricting the number of amendments to three.
Spokesman John Gentzel said Snowe was paying attention to the Lady Gaga rally. But he referred reporters to Snowe’s statement that said the Senate needs more time.
It’s not clear whether repeal will pass the Senate. Even if Democrats block McCain’s proposal to strip the provision from the spending bill, final passage is likely to be complicated by other issues.
Republicans are also hotly contesting a separate provision that would lift a long-standing ban on abortions at military facilities.
And in yet another nod to election-year politics, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., wants to attach the DREAM Act to the bill. The provision would allow thousands of young illegal immigrants who attend college or join the military to become legal U.S. residents.
Democrats say the immigration measure would boost military recruitment while Republicans say it would unfairly reward illegal immigrants with amnesty.
Reid has said a final vote on the defense policy bill may have to wait until after the elections.
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Contrarian51
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:19pm“…two Republican senators — Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins — seen as most likely to side with Democrats….”
Pick an issue, any issue, this little excerpt is universally applicable.
Report Post »afaceinthetree
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:08pmI have to agree with the majority of people here that in the military being openly gay just will not work. I spent 6 years in the USAF and can tell you all first hand that those that I saw that were openly gay or that didn’t care if others knew it were either ridiculed, ostracized or worse, beaten for being gay! So they either kept to themselves or gee here’s a thought, kept it QUIET! You can’t expect Warriors either men or women, to dress, shower, live and commune all together with openly gay men and women any more than you could expect straight Men and Women to live together and do all those same things. There would be nothing but problems. What is next? Transgendered? Cross dressing? Mixed living quarters? Bathrooms and showers for gays only? There is just no end to the problems that bringing openly gay people into an environment like the military would bring with it. I‘m not saying it’s right or wrong I‘m just saying it’s not like going to the office and working your day then coming back to the privacy of your own home, like so many equate it to. You know, people often say, “I don’t care what they do in the privacy of their own home” Well in a military base or camp in war or peace open gays would be coming back with you into the privacy of your own home! No thank you, I don‘t care how tolerant you may be of others and believe me I am but I can’t be expected to be forced to live, shower and sleep with someone who is openly gay. If this passes the military will undergo a radical transformation (gee sound familiar?) many will leave and we could loose some of the bravest warriors that this country has ever seen and why? So some politician can cross this of their radical agenda!
Report Post »I could care less what this Lady Gaga is saying, there is one voice and one voice only that matters in this discussion, not mine, not yours, certainly no hers! It’s the active duty military men and women in service that matter. What do they say?
Red Neckerson
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 4:07pmLady gagag is the modern day equivalent of the biblical Jezebel, her end will be much as the same.
Report Post »psst
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 2:25pmWow!! Those military parades will be a sight to behold.
Report Post »Probably will look like one of those San Fran Freako Happy parades.
Lots of leather and chain,dingles and bangels and such..
After-all, these folks not only have a Right to be heard.. They have a right to be Seen.
Mick
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 1:41pmAs little as I agree with Seth McFarlan, the creator of Family Guy, on his political views, he spoke my only issue clearly in his second Star Wars parody. “Long long ago when the Gays weren’t so in your face about it.” That is truly my only issue. I dont go around letting the would know I am heterosexual and proud. Laright, you are homosexual, good for you. I dont want to hear about your sexual preference. I didnt ask, so please dont tell me about it.
Report Post »cuda4cyber
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 1:29pmOnce again, the Hollywood elite are running around trying to push their ridiculous beliefs on the rest of normal Americans. I have served in the Air Force for 21 years now and have had multiple tours of Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, Saudi Arabia, and on and on. What these elitest clowns don’t seem to get is that when they think of “gay rights” they think of their gay hair dresser buddy who wouldn’t hurt a fly. Have you ever noticed that it is almost always women who are actively engaged in gay rights? These women have a man friend who is harmless to them because they can talk about issues that they both can relate to. However, when you enter “reality” in a war setting which of course Lady GaGa will never enter, you are stuck with the problems that repealing DADT will no doubt give the military people. First, the military seperarates males and females in living quarters as well as showers and restroom facilities for obvious reasons. Can Lady GaGa tell us exactly how the military is supposed to seperate gay people from straight people and make it all work? Who is going to pay for all of the ridiculous changes that must be made to accomodate such things? If you do seperate gays, then they can’t be put together either because it would be one big orgy. The same reason for seperating males from females in a war setting to begin with. All these self proclaimed geniuses need to pull their heads out stick to what they do best and leave protecting this Nation to the experts. I don’t give a rats ass what Lady GaGa thinks, nor the rest of the pro-gay movement. Leave the military alone and stop trying to turn us into the laughing stock of the world!
Report Post »End.The.Silence
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 1:27pmI have no issue with gays being in the military myself. If your gay and want to serve your country, fine! Great! More power to ya! But if you want to be OPENLY gay in the military, prepare to get your ass shot. If this stupid repealing of the ‘Don’t ask don‘t tell’ does go through, then I have a proposal. If gays want to strut around in their uniforms, screaming to the world that they’re gay, let them, but as soon as they do, put them in the front lines. Let the gay‘s and ****’s go into combat first! See how excited they are to be gay in the military then!
Report Post »Nostraquedeo
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 2:13pmThat would be wrong. Just because we don’t agree with their life style is no reason to do that to them. Don’t talk out of anger and give the left a reason to attack us.
Report Post »dssr1974
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 1:21pmLady GaGa has no reason to comment, just like draft dodger Bill Clinton had no reason to tinker with the armed forces. It is ironic that those who never have and never will serve in the military get so damned long-winded with their opinions about what the military should and should not do.
Report Post »I would be willing to bet that the California judge (who ruled the ban unconstitutional) never put on combat boots either.
delta1911
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 1:07pmIt’s truely a sad day when our elected officials are actually paying attention to some whack-job “singer” and considering the weight of said singers’ opinion on a MILITARY issue. Has Lady Gaga (or the officials tampering with this law for that matter) ever had to fire a shot in anger down range on the battle field? I say let the experts, aka THE MILITARY, decide it’s own policy.
Like PROSPERO said, homosexuals’ entire lives revolve around their sexuality. I would absolutely hate having to hear someone yak it up about what goes down in their bedroom while I was trying to focus on doing work with the business end of an M4 carbine….the two simply don’t mix….hence DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL.
People, I hate to sound negative, but it sure seems like this place is going to hell in a handbasket FAST. With that yahoo from Iran basically calling for Sharia Law today, China & Russia gaining power, Russia doing random fly-by’s (aka testing our military response times), and us basically slapping Isreal in the face as of late, I don’t think November is going to help or something will happen before then. I pray I’m wrong. Please pray for our country people….God help us.
Report Post »George Stark
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 1:03pmRight now we have the “Tax Cuts” “Dream Act” and the repealing of “Don‘t Ask Don’t Tell” which in reality are, Tax Increases for every American, Amnisty and Citizenship for every illegal that taxpayers have sent to college, and the end of Don‘t Ask Don’t Tell.
Does anyone think that Lady Gaga’s idea for kicking out anyone that has a problem with gay soldiers is far fetched? Don‘t you think the second Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is over that 1000s of gay soldiers will pop out with descrimination suits against most of the top brass in the military? Military Hate Crime legislation will pass. etc. etc.
Think it’s far fetched that soon we all have to join the military to be able to vote, and then all the health care and government housing and foodstamps can be justified.
Amnisty goes thru never going to get a Conservative President again.
Report Post »CoFX
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 1:01pmSingle line item votes, please. What exactly does the Dream Act have to do with defense spending?
You have to allow Congress to vote on seperate items, even when they are tied to the same issue, and ESPECIALLY if it has no relevance to the main line item of the Bill!.
If the bill is about Military spending , vote on ONLY military spending. Then vote seperately on every other issue included. If the issue doesn’t pass, it’s not included in the final bill.
I‘m surprised the Dems didn’t include abortion rights and tax hikes in the bill
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 1:57pmThe DREAM Act was intentionally put in there by Reid when he found that the polling was showing Angle ahead by one percentage point. He must have figured he needed to pander the Hispanic vote and knew that the republicans would argue making it look like they were trying to hold up the defense bill and putting our soldiers in harms way due to a lack of funding. It’s a political football game being played and our service members are being used as fodder for the liberals. They already detest the military as a general rule and they can use this to stick it to em’ while looking like they are on their side.
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 12:55pmHere is a flash for those who have not been in military service. It’s not the same as working in an office.In an office setting you just work together and then go home to a life outside of the workplace.In a office if the environment is hostel you are free to leave, go to HR or retain legal representation. Romantic trysts are not encouraged but generally not discouraged. In a combat unit where those in charge send men into harms way a romantic trysts represents a life or death conundrum. Its just different…… in ways you could not know of.
Report Post »CoFX
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 12:49pmDems are desperate for a fresh talking point during election season. This isn’t about the actual issue itself, it’s about gaining votes and villifying the right. The military can’t be expected to follow the same rules as private society, or be overrun by political mandates. These men and women go out everyday and risk thier lives to protect our country.. Let the men and women in our VOLUNTEER armed forces determine what is best for themselves and for their units. You don‘t play politics with people’s lives.
While we are (sortof) on the subject, let’s add some language to the Defense bill that ensures all overseas servicemen and women have the ability to vote by absentee ballot, and that election results are not determined until all absentee ballots from the military are counted. Every vote counts the same, but to me, THESE guys deserve the right to vote and be heard. Far too often, absentee votes somehow don’t make it back to the states in time to be counted, or are mysteriously misplaced until the elections have already been decided.
Report Post »Prospero
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 1:37pmIndeed. The Democrats are creating a dozen distractions so as to distract people from the real problem of ludicrous federal spending and the destruction of our economy thereby.
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 1:47pmThere is already a law called the MOVE Act that is supposed to make sure that their votes ARE counted and that they MUST have the opportunity to vote. However, the Department of Justice has been granting waivers to states that apparently can‘t or won’t comply. An investigation in to the waivers has been asked for but we all know where that will end up. I read a poll where it is stated that some 63% of service personnel tend to vote republican – hence the waivers.
Report Post »RefoundHonor
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 12:44pmLet’s not be hypocrites here guys. We can‘t choose to disregard the constitution when something is awkward or we don’t like it. If we’re going to restore the constitution, let’s restore the whole sacred document, not bits and pieces of it that we happen to like.
Report Post »Prospero
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 12:50pmThere is no right to serve in the military in the Constitution. Military service is not a right. The Congress is empowered in Article 1, Section 8, Clause 14 to establish the rules of fitness for the military.
If you desire to lecture people on the Constitution, it would behoove you to actually read it first….
Report Post »SsgtRock
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 1:21pmI would be ok with it(repeal of DADT) if there was some guarantee of my personal rights! I am in the reserves and was on Active Duty for 8 years and understand the meaning of communal living. With that said if the military can guarantee my rights to privacy I am ok with gays in the military. It must NOT interfere with military discipline or safety of others. Since on the civilian side I can choose where I sleep, eat, and live and on the military side I am restricted in choices I would expect MY WISHES to be respected…
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 1:25pmYou do understand that parts of the Constitution DO NOT apply to service members right? The military is NOT a democracy and they have rules and regulations that run counter to the Constitution in some cases and those have been upheld by the Supreme Court. Soldiers do NOT have the right to total freedom of speech for example….
Report Post »retriever
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 12:43pmFirst thing that we must fix is allowing several “bills” to be put together in one bill. We cannot afford to allow Illegal aliens to become citizens without going through our system. There are limits on the numbers of new citizenship so America can “absorb” the new citizens without over burdening the system. I was a member of the armed forces and many people do not realize how allowing openly gays will affect moral. I, for one, wouldn’t like to have shower with someone who is gawking or making eyes at me while I am trying to clean myself. And I sure would not like to have to share a room with one of these creatures. That is my opinion.
Report Post »Workforit
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 12:30pmIt is none of our business… period. Get the government out of every bodies bed room. If you happen to be “hard-wired” gay why do you think it is mandatory that all of us know… or care? I don’t get why gay people feel the need to tell everybody… I just don’t get it.
Report Post »KEA
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 12:37pmHard wired? Not a SHREAD of scientific evidence has ever been established supporting that belief. The left has tried for years to scientificaly prove a person is born that way and it just doesnt pan out. Its a CHOICE and a persons upbringing has proven to be the key factor, whether abuse, neglect, etc, they ARE NOT hard wired to be gay from birth. The argument is just that, an argument and one with NO SUBSTANCE to support it.
Report Post »Prospero
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 12:38pmWorkforit writes: “I don’t get why gay people feel the need to tell everybody… I just don’t get it.”
That’s one of the symptoms of the defect of homosexuality. The homosexual’s entire life revolves around his sexuality, like some sort of pubescent adolescent in perpetuity.
Report Post »Workforit
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 1:12pmThanks PROsPERO, that makes perfect sense. I think COFX has another great point. The real issue is why a “social issue” is even addressed or attached to a “military spending” bill.
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 1:19pmIt is really interesting to debate the issue of gays being “hard wired” with some that ARE gay…. The majority of the time, they will claim that it happens in the wild kingdom all the time and that a lot of animals prefer to be homosexual. I have read a number of studies where this is claimed and it has been proven that the animals are NOT gay, but are establishing DOMINANCE in the wild, NOT preferring the same sex as the gay community prefers to believe.
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 12:25pmPLEASE reword the article…. It states that Reid’s DREAM Act could allow thousands to become legal residents. It should say HUNDREDS of thousands as reported by several groups and news services.
Report Post »van
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 12:19pmLet’s hope they vote it down. Our Military is not a place for social experimentation, I spent almost 10 years on ships in the U.S. Navy and I can tell you that we would never have tolerated anyone openly homosexual. It just doesn’t work.
Report Post »scootydoo
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 12:32pmYou got that right brother. Can you say “man overboard”?
Report Post »Freelancer
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 12:42pmThat would have to make some people very uncomfortable would it not? I really don’t think I would enjoy taking a shower with someone knowing that they were gay and catch them eying my junk…. If you are gay, fine. But to openly flaunt it invites serious problems as well as morale issues. It’s not a homophobic problem at all but rather a problem with people being very uneasy about sexuality being forced on them with no recourse. The first person to state publicly that they refuse to shower or bunk with an openly gay service member will be charged with some form of misconduct – you can bet on it.
Report Post »Workforit
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 1:03pmI totally agree. I delivered beer to a number of gay clubs, for a couple of years. The owners were nice, always paid on time and their sexual preference never once was an issue… Until some patrons decided to direct unwanted comments in my direction… This owner promptly dealt with the situation and apologized for the rude comments. The lesson I took home from this experience improved my own behavior towards women… I now knew what being on the receiving end of less-than-appropriate comments from across the bar felt like. I could not imagine an Officer of our armed services having to deal with such a petty issue of sexual preference on the field of battle… The majority of people are not gay, and the majority does not care… until you rub our noses in it. If you feel the need to stand on the “gay” soap box in the military, I’m sure we could get this congress to vote for some special bright pink uniforms for you so even the enemy will be notified as to the importance you place in telling the world about your lifestyle.
Report Post »carrera
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 12:17pmThe Pentagon’s study is pending, it is outrageous that Democrats would elect to bring this to a vote until that study is completed. We have elected officials who have chosen to politicize this issue along with the “Dream Act” with no regard to the ramifications of their actions. November can not come soon enough. On another note, the article states that Snowe (R) is “paying attention to the Lady GaGa rally” are you kidding me? Lady GaGa that‘s what she’s paying attention to? Insanity.
Report Post »scootydoo
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 12:30pmWOW, I didn’t read the whole article. Lady blahblah should keep her mouth shut about things that she knows nothing about. Snowe knows maybe a little bit more than Lady blahblah. Maybe Snowe and BlahBlah should head over to Iraq and fight for gay rights. I am so glad that I am not in the military anymore. God help our military men and women.
Report Post »flamedone1968
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 1:37pmpscully17
Report Post »Now there’s an aspect I hadnt thought of… redecoration that is. LMFAO
scootydoo
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 12:15pmI love when people who have never served in the military want to comment on military life. I understand that gays should have the right to serve thier country but if they want to be openly gay then they are going to put themselves and others in danger. I have seen first hand people getting hazed for being different. There will be trouble if they pass this and somebody will get hurt or worse, too bad they can’t see that.
Report Post »Prospero
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 12:33pmThere is no “right” to serve your country, in America. Military service is not a right.
It would behoove us to cease framing every issue as a “rights” issue, that’s the stupid game the lefties play.
Report Post »KEA
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 12:34pmAnd now, when they do get hazed, thanks to the last military appropriations bill, its a Federal HATE crime if the person is gay. The ******** have a long well thought out plan to destroy this country and this is just another step.
Report Post »FREECOUNTRY
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 12:41pmI agree. If the likes of Lady Gaga are heard we will have sissies in the military wearing pink and those that are able to fight and win will be muted. I don’t care if gays serve – good on ‘em – but keep the social aspect out of the military. The military is for killing and breaking things and winning when our freedom is challenged.
Report Post »Nostraquedeo
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 12:46pmThe gay lobby will not stop with this. They don’t want equal treatment. They want special treatment. They have been offered recognized civil unions with all the legal benefits of marriage but they want to destroy the religious institution of marriage. The repeal of don‘t ask don’t tell is not the goal it is just one more step toward the destruction of Christianity in our culture. Next it will be a hate crime to tell them you simply disagree with their life style. You might as well move to co-ed showers and let couples go on the same fire missions. There won’t be any conflict of interests there.
Report Post »pscully17
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 1:09pmconsidering the supreme court nullified every sodomy law in every state in 2003, its safe to say that gays should be able to bum-screw in a military shower. plus, its a benefit to have gays serving so they can redecorate the enemy base camps after we take them over.
flamedone1968
Posted on September 21, 2010 at 2:09pmIt’s like teaching sex ed in school… I don’t send my kid to school to learn about sex. Now they teach gay sex to kids when they are already facing tremendous confusion with the hormonal changes going on in their bodies. Wouldn’t they be better off learning to concentrate their life goals and how to achieve them than something that is… at the least a social concern and or a moral concern. There are other venues for the learning of those things that would not involve dilution of the school curriculum to say nothing of finite finances that pay for the school in the first place.
Report Post »That being said, unless we are planning to send our military into harms way with the intent of sodomizing our enemies… While there might be some perverse satisfaction in some of our enemies suffering such a thing… I don’t see as how it would help our standing in the world and certainly would stand in the way of concentration on important objectives as set forth for our military.
It is a MILITARY NOT A SOCIAL CLUB!