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Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, Don’t Forget!!!

President Obama, while campaigning in the presidential election, said that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was something that needs repealing. Today, the White House said that this is still something that Obama supports “changing”– although gave no timetable for when they would take up the legislation.”

Why is it that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell has yet to be removed? The issue was put front and center when Obama first came to office, but now he’s totally backed off. I’ve seen bunches of articles from major news media (like ABC NEWS) that the issue is no longer a focus of the President. We need to send a strong message that it is important, and that we’ve waited long enough! We shouldn’t just accept “Oh, we’ll get to it next year”, it could be done tomorrow, and should be done today.

In Nov. 2007 Obama promised: “As president, I will work with Congress and place the weight of my administration behind enactment of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which will make nondiscrimination the official policy of the U.S. military.”

The Service members Legal Defense Fund, the largest defender of the at least 12,500 gay service members who have been discharged under DADT, said: “Like many others in the LGBT and progressive blogosphere, we too were confused about the change in the White House website language from “repealing” “to “changing” “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Words matter, and these two words on this particular subject have dramatically different implications for gay and lesbian service members.” I have to say that I’m very disappointed in how this administration is going. I don’t believe that we can depend on them to act without us speaking up loudly and making them do it.

The President dodges this human rights issue far too cooly for my tastes. As he does the prosecution of Bush Administration officials for torture. As he does for continuing policies putting 20,000 troops on the streets of America, an entire batallion being integrated with our police forces ( A clear violation of the Posse Comitatus Act). Fly by’s of Air Force one terrorizing people in New York, unreasonable Flu scare tactics, and many other things that smack of George W. Bush. They’re continuing predator drone bombing on innocent children in Pakistan; its all still going on!

More and more I feel like we’re trapped in a one party system, and the only way we can gain equal rights, and a better life, is by speaking up very, very loudly. This is not going to be business as usual. We should not be complacent, and need to organize a strong voice that can keep our government on track and working for the people. The legislation, the military readiness act by Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) is being introduced and it is time for him to put his money where his mouth is.

It is time to place: “The weight of my administration behind enactment of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act.”

Jenime is an artist living in the SF bay area. You can watch her musings and ravings any time by visiting her channel on YouTube.