Melanie Nathan; August 29, 2010 -

Gov Charlie Crist running as an independent for the US Senate Seat for Florida met his match today on CNN’s State of the Union.  Run of the mill questions fueled the tough reality that this Governor  is nothing more than slick politician who wants to rise in ranks, while refusing  to commit to any real answers on important issues.

Except of course -the one and only commitment he was willing to make was about his views on LGBT rights and same-sex marriage equality.

When it comes to Gay and Lesbian, LGBTQI – forget any uncertainty- Crist is off the charts anti!  Still this one has me stymied beyond repair, with Crist saying  “ I am a live and let live kinda guy;  I support a constitutional ban of gay marriage; and I think Government should stay out of the lives of the people.”

I certainly would not vote for someone who cannot – perhaps even predict – let alone commit to whom he will caucus with if elected. The question: “Governor will you caucus with the Democrats or the GOP? “ I cannot answer that?   Until I have the honor to be elected!  Then I will decide what is best for the people of Florida? ” mmm..

Okay Florida are you going to allow this patronizing slickster to get away with his Paterfamilias state of righteousness? Ed Henry, guest host on Candy’s Crawley’s State of the Union pushed hard but got little in answers yet much in revelation!  This man is hiding his truth and he does not want to share it with voters. He wants you to close your eyes Florida and its hit or miss.

All said and done Crist is a self made disaster and whether pro gay or not, Floridians this is your worst nightmare!  Imagine electing someone who refuses to state who he will caucus with – he wants you to TRUST him yet he will not commit to you.

These type of independents are in no man’s land – if he does not caucus he will not get into any of the all important power making committees.

Typical of the cake and eat it types, this candidate slipped and slid around what was originally his on record ever vocal support for one Sarah Palin – he believed she would make a great a great President – or so he said! Now Crist refuses to comment on whether or not he stands by those words from the Presidential election.  “Do you think she will still be a good president?” asked Ed Henry  “ It does not matter what matters, says Crist, “is not Alaska but Florida “ (huh?)  “Can we assume no longer supporter of Sarah Palin?”  “Whats important to me is the Sarah’s of Florida my issue are about Florida and I care about my fellow Floridians.”

Florida -  in Solidarity !

Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com

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In a recent Republican debate, Blakeman and the other two Republicans all stated that they would defer to the military leaders with regards to repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Never mind that, with the exception of General James T. Conway, the outgoing Commandant of the Marines, the military leaders seem at least resigned to having this repealed, and that Admiral Michael Mullen, General Colin Powell and Defense Secretary Robert Gates are ready to get this law repealed.

Additionally, the vast majority of the American population, some 75% at most, and 59% at least support repeal. Keeping Don’t Ask, Don’t tell is not even a guaranteed winner for the Republican Party this election cycle despite their desire to keep plugging away at the anti-LGBT bigots the same way that they are hoping to capitalize on the racists who support profiling Hispanics as illegal immigrants and Muslims as terrorists.

Kirsten Gillibrand has put out a call for donations, though, in order to counter the attack ads being used against her in Upstate New York.

Source 1
Source 2

What this means for the Republican ability to capture the Senate in the long run is going to be impossible to fully account for, at least for the time being.  While Alaska is heavily Republican, the possibility is that the Democrats could be able to capitalize on this particular event in the same way that they did in 2008 with the defeat of the late Senator Ted Stevens and the victory of Mark Begich.

The victory of Miller is going to be hard to determine right away as there are some 16,000 absentee ballots yet to be counted, and that is more than ten times the number of votes that separate Miller and Murkowski.  Many of them may have been submitted before the recent push by Miller to paint Murkowski as being anti-life and pro-choice.  Thus, Murkowski could end up winning the election once all the ballots are counted.  Like Vermont, Alaska is a small state in terms of population and it can take a lot of time for a full victory to be assessed.  In Vermont’s Democratic Governor’s primary, the race was too close to call with almost all precincts in.

Hagel has always been a moderate Republican, and garnered plenty of criticism from the Republican Party over his stances. Hagel went on to retire in 2008. He plans on joining Sestak on the trail in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia as a way of making the endorsement official.

Recently, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg also announced his support for Sestak. According to one average of the polling for that race, Sestak trails his opponent Pat Toomey by just under 4%, or 41.6% for Sestak and 45.4% for Toomey.

Source

Senator McCain had vowed to repeal DADT should, say, General Colin Powell come forward and say that it was time to repeal it; however, his decision to oppose it came after he lost in the general election and became, to some observers, obsessed with opposing President Barack Obama at every turn even if it meant abandoning everything he had been supporting prior to this time.

There are few details about the email except that it is going out to OFA’s Arizona list.  The full House and the Senate Armed Services Committees have already voted on the Murphy Amendment and added them to the Defense Budget Bill.  In essence, McCain will have to filibuster money for the troops if he wants to oppose DADT.

The email states “’Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ isn’t about politics — it’s about discrimination. And when Republicans defend discrimination of any kind, they need to know that their constituents are watching and ready to respond.  Call Sen. McCain at 602-952-2410 now and tell him Arizona supports the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’”

The Defense Budget is expected to be voted upon almost right after the Senate goes back into session in September.  Because it is difficult to politically oppose the Defense Budget, it is unlikely that McCain’s filibuster attempt will work, but the political fall out of his attempt will probably hurt him in the upcoming general election as he tries to retain his seat in November.

The Full Email:

Friend —

We are closer than ever to bringing an end to the discriminatory policy known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

In June, the House of Representatives and the Senate Armed Services Committee voted to repeal the practice — but now Senator John McCain is standing in the way.

He recently blocked action on the repeal, calling it “a betrayal,” “disgraceful,” and “purely a political promise.”

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” isn’t about politics — it’s about discrimination. And when Republicans defend discrimination of any kind, they need to know that their constituents are watching and ready to respond. If we send Sen. McCain a forceful message, we can make him back down.

Call Sen. McCain at 602-952-2410 now and tell him Arizona supports the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Senator McCain has not always been opposed to [repealing] “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Until recently, he claimed to defer to military leaders on the issue. But military leaders support repeal, and McCain is still reversing course.

As the President has said, we must end this practice “because it is the right thing to do.” A majority of Americans agree that those who are brave enough to stand up and serve our country deserve to do so openly.

Call Sen. McCain today at 602-952-2410 and tell him to support repeal.

Thank you,

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America

Source

In Wyoming, State Representative Cathy Connolly won an unopposed primary.

In total, some fifty openly LGBT candidates endorsed by the Victory Fund face primaries between now and November. Wisconsin Representative Tammy Baldwin faces a general election race in which supporters of her opponent tried to discredit her status as a citizen of her district. They were unsuccessful in that attempt. It is also likely that Representative Barney Frank will return to the House in November. It is unlikely that Colorado Representative Jared Polis will loose his bid for reelection.

Mark Kirk, who has tried to deny that he is gay, has an unclear future regarding his possible election to the Senate from Illinois.

Source

Meek stated “I’m honored to receive the endorsement of the Human Rights Campaign.  I’ve been a strong defender of LGBT rights and am proud to continue working with the LGBT community in the fight for equality. From fighting against Florida’s ban on gay adoption to consistently opposing the military’s discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, I will continue putting the well-being of all Floridians before the politics of division as Florida’s next U.S. Senator.”

How much of an effect the endorsement will have is hard to gauge as the HRC is not universally supported by the LGBT Community.

HRC President Joe Solmonese stated “Kendrick is a leader who has stood on the front lines of Florida’s fight for equality. An outspoken opponent of the state’s ban on gay adoptions and a longtime advocate for equal protections legislation, Kendrick’s record shows he is a steadfast ally of Florida’s LGBT community. Floridians deserve leaders who take principled stands and aren’t afraid to fight for what they believe in. For years, Kendrick has fought for equality. Now, it’s time to stand with him.”

Meek has been a vocal supporter of LGBT rights.  He has vocally opposed the ban on gay adoptions in Florida, and believes that adoptive parents should be evaluated based upon their capacity to provide a loving home.  He was also opposed to Amendment 2, the 2008 ballot initiative which defines marriage in the Florida Constitution as being between a man and a woman, and outlaws recognition of any other form of partnership between couples.  In 2007, he was named “Legislator of the Year” by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.

While the Human Rights Campaign has been called the largest LGBT group in the country, it has been heavily criticized over the last few years because of their ineffectual nature and their lack of willingness to get involved head on in the fight for LGBT rights.

Source

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2010/08/hrc-endorses-kendrick-meek-for-us-senate.html#ixzz0wz5DtRW8

08/10/2010- Natasia Langfelder

LGBT activist group, Queer Rising, is protesting against homophobic Bronx Senator Reuben Diaz at a fundraiser for him on Thursday. If any of you turned on NY1 this morning, you will learn that Diaz call a reporter who asks him a question he doesn’t like a “homo.” Nice guy, please note that happened after this protest was announced. That is not why Queer Rising is protesting against Diaz, read why in the press release issued by the group below:

Queer Rising is outraged by New York State Senate Majority Leader John
Sampson’s decision to hold a fundraiser for anti-LGBTQ Senator Ruben
Diaz of the Bronx on Thursday, August 12th. Senator Diaz led the
Democratic revolt against Marriage Equality in the Senate last
December, and he is a key target of a unified LGBTQ effort.  In
response, Queer Rising invites all to join us at “The Sampson & Diaz
Bigot Gala” paparazzi protest.  “Queer Rising is in the business of
holding people accountable for their anti-LGBTQ actions, attendees of
this function are supporting a bigot and need to be exposed.” Natasha
Dillon, a founding member of Queer Rising.
 
 
 
Date: Thursday, August 12th
 
Time: 6 pm
 
Location: Maestro’s Caterers: 1703 Bronxdale Avenue, Bronx, NY  10462
 
 
 
Unite with us in the name of full LGBTQ Equality by becoming a
paparazzo. It’s time to give these haters their photo-op and to shame
them for their despicable anti-LGBTQ actions and voting history. Bring
a camera, a sign and be prepared to show Senators Sampson, Diaz and
all attendees that bigotry is never to be supported.
 
 
Formed in Winter of 2009, Queer Rising’s mission is to demand queer
rights through nonviolent direct action.  www.queerrising.org

If you are in NYC, be sure to check it out!

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Melanie Nathan – 8-09-10

The Trenches With EQCA – a California organization at the helm of  fighting for California Support of National Equality legislation.  In addition to the many other Resolutions that EQCA has sponsored in the California State legislature in support of Congressional legislation, is Bill Number: AJR 29.

Married same-sex couples and registered domestic partners are required to file jointly for California State income and property taxes, but they must file separately for federal taxes.  This resolution asks the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to adjust its policy to allow California’s legally married same-sex couples and registered domestic partners, as well as those in other states, to file jointly for federal income taxes.

Assembly passed the resolution again in a bipartisan concurrence vote of 52-9 on August 9, 2010.

Author : Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles)

Co-Authors: Assemblymember Portantino, and Senators Alquist, Kehoe, Leno and Assemblymembers Ammiano, Block, Blumenfield, Brownley, Fuentes, Huffman, Jones, Monning, Salas, Saldana, Skinner, Torlakson, Adams, Aramblula, Bass, Beall, Bradford, Buchanan, C. Calderon, Carter, Chesbro, Coto, Davis, De la Torre, De Leon, DeVore, Emmerson, Eng, Evans, Fong, Galgiani, Hall, Harkey, Hayashi, Hernandez, Hill, Jeffries, Lieu, Lowenthal, Ma, Mendoza, Nava, Nestande, Nielson, John A. Perez, V. Manuel Perez, Ruskin, Solorio, Swanson, Torres, Torrico, and Yamada.

by Melanie Nathan
nathan@privatecourts.com
@oblogdeeoblogda

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While combat operations are being covered by a supplemental war funding bill, the NDAA is still vital to numerous defense programs and operations.  As noted on govtrack.us, the NDAA is a “[B]ill to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2011 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes.”  According to the Congressional Budget Office’s cost estimate, the Senate’s version of the NDAA would authorize appropriations totaling $726 billion.  As noted in GLT News Now, though John McCain said at one point he did not plan to filibuster the NDAA, when Senator Harry Reid moved to bring up the NDAA after the August recess, Senator McCain strongly objected.  McCain’s objections to bringing forward the vote on the NDAA weren’t based on excessive spending, unnecessary programs or weapons, but on the possible right that gays and lesbians may one day be able to serve openly in defense of our nation.

On the Senate floor today, John McCain implied that the Senate version of the NDAA is going to repeal DADT before completion of the Pentagon survey and that placing the possible repeal of DADT in this bill compromised ‘legislation intended to ensure this nation’s security.’  Apparently Senator McCain feels the oppression and discrimination against an estimated tens of thousands of gay and lesbian servicemembers is better for our national defense than affording them equality in the eyes of their peers, with whom they are willing to lay down their lives.  McCain made reference in his remarks to a betrayal of the men and women serving this country in the passage of last year’s NDAA.  Somehow the Senator from Arizona fails to realize, or just doesn’t care, that his remarks are a betrayal to all those gays and lesbians who serve or served in uniform and who have sworn an oath to defend this nation and her constitution.  Rather than giving printed weight to McCain’s misrepresentations of the facts, please watch the video below and Senator Levin’s lucid response to the ramblings of the maverick.  In closing, allow me to leave you with Senator Harry Reid’s statement on Senator McCain’s latest notch in his headboard of hatred and intolerance:

“Apparently, Senator McCain is willing to block battlefield equipment upgrades and pay raises for our troops because he didn’t get his way in a committee hearing room. With his irresponsible obstruction of critical support for troops who sacrifice for our country every day, Senator McCain seems more interested in political grandstanding than protecting our men and women on the battlefield.  Our troops deserve better.”

Responding on the Senate floor to a motion today by Senator Carl Levin (D-Mich.) to bring “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal up for consideration on the Senate floor, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) threw a hissy fit and threatened to filibuster the entire fiscal year 2011 defense authorization bill, that would fund Americas troops next year…. Including those currently fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I’m not going to allow us to move forward,” McCain said. ”I will be discussing with my leaders and the 41 members of this side of the aisle as to whether we’re going to be moving forward with a bill that contains that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy repealed before, before a meaningful survey of the impact on battle effectiveness and morale of the men and women who are serving this nation in uniform.”

McCain also said the inclusion of repeal in the defense legislation without the completion of the study was a “disgrace.”

Levin, a supporter of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’s repeal, responded by saying allowing the bill to come to the floor would allow the Senate to consider amendments to the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” language.

“The main point is that the place to debate these policies is on the floor of the Senate,” Levin said. “The Senate will determine, if we can get this bill to the floor, whether or not we make that conditional change in the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ or whether we do a number of other things.”

Levin also noted the language in the bill makes repeal conditional on completion of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” study currently underway at the Pentagon, which is due Dec. 1, as well as certification from the president and military leaders.

However that did not placate McCain and he continued to go off over the inclusion of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” language, then addressed his discontent over the inclusion of hate crimes protections language in last year’s DoD bill.

”I’ve only been a member of this committee, Mr. President, since 1987,” McCain said. “I never seen what the chairman of the committee did last year by bringing a totally irrelevant and very controversial issue and put it on the defense authorization bill.”

Image via Wikipedia

8/2/10-by Paula Brooks
Rep. Paul Hodes (D-N.H.) has told a group of national LGBT Democrats he would work to end DOMA should he be elected to the US Senate.

The New Hampshire Democratic senatorial candidate, who is running to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.), Friday, vigorously called on Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act during a dinner speech at the National Stonewall Democrats biennial convention in Washington, DC.

“We have to end D-O-M-A!” Hodes told the group. “Time to put it away!”

Hodes, a co-sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act in the U.S. House that would overturn DOMA, and would be one of a very few senate members who supports marriage rights for same-sex couples should he win in November.

Hodes is looking for the support New Hampshire’s LGBT community in an uphill senate battle that will either pit him against former New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte or businessman Bill Bennie. Both currently lead Hodes in the polls.

(source)

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Senator Nelson’s decision to oppose Kagan’s confirmation does not imperil her chances of winning her seat on the Court. In fact, even if Blanch Lincoln, who is likely to not be returning to the Senate next term, were to also oppose her confirmation, so far, five Republicans have voiced their support. This means that they will be able to shut down debate and have a full vote on the nomination.

Senator Nelson has, ostensibly, opposed many of the things that the Democrats have put forward on the basis of them being opposed by his constituents, but that has not always been completely accurate as many of the people in his own state supported healthcare reforms, something he held up rather badly. Nelson has stated that he is getting letters from his constituents that they are unhappy with the Kagan nomination, but that he cannot defend her because of her lack of judicial experience. Truthfully, the only people who have been vehemently opposed to Kagan are those on the extreme Right who are opposed to anyone that Obama nominates, or anything that the Democrats propose.

Perhaps it really is time for Senator Nelson to just give up being a Democrat and join the Republican Party. It would be a more natural fit for him.

Candidates have until Friday to sign up for the special primary which will be held on 28 August. The winners of those will face off on 2 November.

The Republicans are possibly looking at John Raese, who is independently wealthy, has expressed interest in the race, but has not said one way or the other. Raese has already run for that seat and lost to Byrd in 2006. He also ran against Senator Jay Rockefeller in the 1980’s.

For many people on both sides of the aisle, it is likely that the best time to run for this office will be in 2012 and not this year. By that point, the luster of Manchin’s successes in West Virginia as Governor will probably have worn off. Even if he is still formidable then, it would be more likely that a run for a possibly open seat in 2014 would be a better shot when Senator Rockefeller could retire.

Note:

Comments regarding Governor Manchin are more than welcome; however, please understand that this article does not constitute an endorsement of him or his policies in any way shape or form.

Source

Manchin is incredibly popular in West Virginia, and current polling shows him well ahead of Capito in a head to head race. It is possible that Capito may decide to play it safe and hold off running for the Senate until West Virginia’s other Senator, Jay Rockefeller, retires, possibly in 2014. She may also choose to run for Governor in 2012. The odds of her winning this election are slim, so the probability is that she will decline to focus on staying in the House.

Manchin stated “I’m proud of our accomplishments, I really am. The thing I’m most proud about more than anything is bringing people together. I remember five years ago we started out, we looked at each other, they said, ‘We’re all gonna have a seat at the table.’ I looked and said, ‘Not only are you gonna have a seat at the table, if you don’t show up I’m gonna come looking for you.’”

Manchin’s biggest problem is that, in two years, he may not be as popular as he is today, and being a Centrist Democrat is not a really good idea these days. While it is unlikely that the Dems will lose their majorities in this November’s election, the probability is that the Blue Dog Democrats will be a thing of the past.

Writer’s Note:

This article does not count as an endorsement of Governor Manchin. Apparently those people who have not figured that out still want to kvetch about the fact that this man is running, and that he is the most likely to win the election according to a variety of sourcing. I have placed those comments attacking me for my supposed support for this man in the trash. While you are more than welcome to put comments onto this article about Manchin’s record regarding LGBT issues, I do not have the time to research every single politician’s views on LGBT issues. Continued attacks upon me will continue to go into the trash. If you have a gods damned problem with Governor Manchin- ATTACK HIM! Do not attack me. Comprende? I do not live in your state, and I did not have all of the information about this man in front of me when I wrote this article.

As for Scott Regan- the second he formally announces that he is running in this race, I will write up about it, but until then, I am not. Attacks upon me for not writing up about someone who has not formally announced his candidacy for a given race are just sour grapes upon your part. When and if Regan runs for this office in this race, we will report it. Saying “he’s been in this race for years” is not him announcing his candidacy. It is just him saying he wants to run if given the opportunity.

To all who want to attack me- let me say this, either keep your comments to the subject- Manchin- or the next note I give will be that all comments are suspended. I have done that in the past and if you do not like it, tough.

Writer’s Note 2:

When I state that I will shut down comments if they are directed at me, I mean it.  I am not Ms Nathan, and I have not done a lot of research on Manchin.  If you had wanted to discuss Manchin’s position regarding LGBT issues, that was fair game.  Once Scott Regan enters the office officially, I will include an article about him and include any and all available information relevant to the article at that time.

Sorry, comments are now closed because some people cannot grasp that a news story is not an endorsement, and that I was deadly serious when I said I would not allow comments if they were about my reporting.

Unless the West Virginian legislature can reach the two-thirds majority needed to make the special election law take place immediately, Governor Manchin will be forced to set his own timetable. This could be awkward since he is more than likely going to run for that seat, and he is expected to win. Indeed, the reason why he brought the legislature back into session to deal with this was because of this thorny issue.

According to Manchin spokeswoman Sara Payne “The governor is allowing this process to happen. If we do not have a bill, then the governor – to protect the voice of the people through an election process – will be forced to make a decision tomorrow.”

On 8 July, the West Virginian attorney general ruled that the governor had the power to determine when and how a special election would be held for that seat. Carte Goodwin, a former aid of Manchin’s, will be sworn in to take the late Senator Robert Byrd’s seat until the election has been held. The winner of the special election will serve out the rest of Byrd’s term.

Moore Capito has not stated whether or not she will run to replace Byrd. Manchin is seen as the odds on favorite. The bigger problem is that West Virginian law prohibits someone from running twice on the same ballot. Moore Capito would have to choose between running for the House or running for the Senate. Her House seat is a shoe in to win as she is the incumbent, but she could easily lose the Senate race.

On a recent radio show, Senator Vitter and the two hosts make fun of Dr. Maddow’s High School Year Book photo. Having seen the photo, Dr. Maddow looks uncomfortable in a feminine persona the same way that I would look if I were to take on a butch persona.

It came up in a discussion about Vitter’s High School years and his first time on the Senate floor, you know, right before he got caught with his pants around his ankles. Here is the bit from the radio show, Rush Radio 99.5 in New Orleans:

MALE HOST: Well you know, with Rachel Maddow they had that picture of her…

FEMALE HOST: Looking like a woman.

MALE HOST: Yeah it was really bizarre.

VITTER: [LAUGHS]: Must have been a long time ago.

ALL THREE: [HEAVY LAUGHTER]

Dr. Maddow graduated in either 1990 or 1991 depending on her school district (it is not listed). This means that she graduated a year or two before I did, and trust me, you do not want to see my high school photos. Vitter, incidentally, graduated in 1979. Dr. Maddow was seven and I was six when he walked down the isle to get his high school diploma. I somehow doubt that he wants someone digging up his year book pictures in order to show them to everyone.

As for Dr. Maddow not looking like a woman. . .I think she does. Of course, he probably does not know what a woman looks like unless she’s in a skimpy dress and wearing enough makeup to hide a house in.

The Michigan Senator predicted that there would not be a filibuster because those who oppose the repeal of DADT are unlikely to oppose funding the troops. According to Levin “It’s a very good idea to get the attitude of the troops on things,” but that the troops needed to understand that this is not about them having the veto power over the repeal of DADT.

“A lot depends about how the survey is worded … [the Pentagon must] make sure they understand military leadership made a decision. [Military leaders are] asking these questions as a way to help us implement this effectively,” Levin stated. Levin does feel that the Pentagon should have asked whether or not it was alright to discriminate against lesbians and gays.

Levin stated that Congress was not asked about the wording of the survey. In response to a question regarding whether or not the survey results would be released to the public, Levin stated “They will probably leak but they won’t be leaked at my suggestion.”

“When Kagan was dean of Harvard Law School, she unmistakably discouraged Harvard students from considering a career in the military — even while claiming to do otherwise — by denying military recruiters the same access to Harvard students that was granted to white-shoe law firms. Kagan did so because she believed the military’s ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy to be ‘a profound wrong — a moral injustice of the first order.’

While Kagan is entitled to her opinion, she was not entitled to ignore the law that requires universities to allow military recruiters on campus under terms of equal access with all other recruiters. The chief of recruiting for the Air Force’s Judge Advocate General Corps described the impact of Kagan’s changes by saying that ‘Harvard is playing games.’ The Army’s report from that same period was even more blunt, stating, ‘The Army was stonewalled at Harvard.’”

Not only is she entitled to her opinion, but at the time that she supposedly turned the recruiters away from Harvard Law, the law that Senator McCain believes allowed those recruiters access to the students at her college was in abeyance until it was said to be constitutional by the Supreme Court.

At this point, it should not be surprising that Senator McCain has fallen into the usual shrill run of half-truths, non-truths, and faulty thinking that permeates so much of the Right at the moment. He is desperately trying to keep his Senate seat from a challenge by Tea Party favorite J.D. Hayward. He has, in some ways, also become rather bitter of late given that he lost his bid to be President again. Not long ago, Senator McCain vowed strongly to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell should the military leaders such as Admiral Michael Mullen, the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or General Colin Powell were to come forward and ask for it to be taken down. Of course, how he is adamantly for retaining the law which is turning perfectly good and capable servicemembers out of the military for being lesbian or gay.

In other words, Senator McCain is doing more to discourage people from joining the military than Elena Kagan ever did, but it is not surprising that he is not going to support her.

Currently, Giannoulias is trailing Republican Mark Kirk who has been dogged by a huge number of his own scandals, but he is not trailing by much and the election is still several months away.

Mark Kirk has been caught, so far, fabricating or inflating his war record as a member of the Naval Reserves, his credentials as a teacher, and his sexuality. The last has been something of a quiet problem for him in that it appears none of the voting public in Illinois care cares whether or not Representative Kirk is gay. He seems to be the only one willing to remain in the closet despite numerous solid reports that he has been known to frequent DC’s gay bars, a place where he apparently is looking to meet the next Mrs. Kirk.

Giannoulias lost some $2.7 million in the collapse of his family’s bank. That income meant that his own income as state treasurer was docked far more than it would have if he had been normally employed without the bank’s money. The Kirk campaign went on the attack using the old “Democrats want to raise our taxes” meme by saying “Giannoulias wants to raise our taxes but doesn’t pay any taxes himself.” Giannoulias’ campaign fired back pointing out Mark Kirk’s problems with the truth. Matt McGrath, a Giannoulias spokesman, stated “It comes as no surprise given his record of mistruths, half-truths and untruths about his military record, but when he says Alexi wants to raise taxes, Congressman Kirk is lying. Again.”

Figures from Giannoulias’ campaign show that his net worth dropped roughly in half in the last year, and he had already pledged to donate his tax refunds to charity. According to the figures he released, he is now worth between $7 million and $29.3 million where as the year before he was worth between $13 million and $62.3 million. Senate candidates give broad ranges to protect their privacy.

Bannock County delegate Ralph Lilling would like to exclude the possibility of transpeople getting married to people of the opposite sex by amending Idaho law to make it clear that marriage is suppose to be between a natural born man and a natural born woman; however, Kootenai County delegate Donna Montgomery felt it was unnecessary because people already know that a man is a man and a woman is a woman.  Apparently she has never listened to the Kink’s song “Lola.”

Delegates in committee took aim at the 17th amendment, which allows for Senators to be voted on by the people and return that power to the state legislatures.  They seek to overturn the amendment in order to, supposedly, return the Constitutional checks and balances to the nation.  Of course, if they did that, the Democrats would have a lock on the Senate for the foreseeable future as many states have legislatures which are dominated by Democrats, and only a few are evenly split or held by Republicans.  Getting rid of the filibuster would be unnecessary since it would not matter any more.

The delegates are also trying to determine whether or not they should push for a secondary militia which would not be subject to call up by the American military in times of war, but would be there in case of natural disasters.  Of course, if they did have a natural disaster, they could just call up Governors Bobby Jindal and Haley Barbour and ask to borrow their National Guard troops since neither men- or any of the states hit by the oil disaster- have bothered to deploy more than a handful of troops to clean up the oil.

Still, they have stated that they are against medical marijuana.

Of course, if they really want to get loopy, they need to borrow Texas’ party platform.

Kirk’s campaign is busy dismissing this particular stream of attacks as being false, but the lack of substantial proof to the contrary and the fact that he had to reverse course on the issue ended up meaning that Kirk has begun to get a reputation for lying.

Rich Miller of Capitol Fax stated:

We are now in some very bizarre, dark territory in this US Senate campaign.

Mark Kirk is an accomplished, decorated Naval veteran who blew that reputation out of the water with unfathomable exaggerations about his military record. He’s an intellectual graduate of the London School of Economics who lied about his experience with liberal nursery school students carrying guns.

These accusations against Mark Kirk are no longer about mere “embellishments” or “exaggerations.” This campaign is now about whether anything he says is true, and why.

Mark Kirk complained about the possibility of children bringing guns to schools. In 2006, he stated “the kids who were the brightest lights of our country’s future, and I also remember those who bore scrutiny as people who might bring a gun to class.” It is interesting to note that there have been no incidents of toddlers bringing handguns or rifles to school, and it is unlikely that the school he taught at would have had more than one of those kids who brought the gun or a knife to school for show and tell and not to shoot up the place.

Representative Kirk now has a major problem with believability. While it could be argued that no politician is ever actually credible, the reality of being caught in such a strong stream of lies is problematic for someone trying to run for the Senate. With reports of Kirk having visited gay bars in DC to his turn around on the embellishments of his military records, should it be surprising that Kirk is now facing a point where only ten percent of voters believe he is telling the truth about his military record?

Mark Kirk is busy apologizing for his remarks regarding his military service. He blamed the confusion on trying to translate precise military terms into civilian speak. This seems like a slightly baffling statement given that he claimed to get a personal award when it was his unit that received it. That would be akin to someone saying that they were awarded the trophy for the Super Bowl when it was the team that won not the individual. It is a little hard to make that mistake via translation between the military and the civilian populations.

“I am sorry, absolutely. You should speak with utter precision. You should stand on the documented military record. In public discourse, for high office, you should make sure that there is a degree of complete rigorous precession,” Kirk said in a letter sent to his constituents.

Mark Kirk’s campaign had also stated that his reconnaissance aircraft had come under fire during the First Iraq War, which does not appear to be the case.

Representative Mark Kirk is running to replace Roland Burris. Senator Burris was appointed to replace President Barack Obama when he won the Presidency. Burris chose not to run for reelection largely due to a lack of fund raising ability, but also his connection to former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojavich. Burris is a Democrat. Kirk is running as a Republican.

Kirk is one of three politicians under fire for inflating either their own or their relative’s military service. Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is under fire for having claimed service in Vietnam that did not occur. He was in the military though. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer is under fire for stating “knowing that my father died fighting the Nazi regime in Germany, that I lost him when I was 11 because of that.” Her father died ten years later possibly from fumes he was exposed to while working at a munitions factory during WWII. She has not backed down from her statement even though it has been demonstrated to be false.

Thus, today, along side the Pro Wrestling Candidate for the Connecticut Senate seat being vacated by Senator Chris Dodd and an exhausted semi driver, Senator Inhofe had to bear the ridicule of Keith Olbermann.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Image via Wikipedia

5-4-10- Melanie Nathan

Today, Equality California’s Political Action Committee announced its endorsed candidates for Governor, other statewide offices and U.S. Senate. Each of these outstanding candidates has publicly stated their strong support for equality for the entire LGBT community and has a proven track record.

Click on each of the names below to learn more about why they will be strong advocates for LGBT Californians. And go to eqcapac.org to learn about the legislative and judicial candidates we previously endorsed.

The 2010 election will determine who will lead California State and represent our LGBT interests in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. during the next several years. “With so many critical issues facing our community, it is imperative that we elect candidates who support full and complete equality for LGBT Californians,” Says Geoff Kors, Executive Director of Equality California.

The June primary election is just over a month away and absentee ballots are about to hit mailboxes. With low turn-out expected, it is important that our community turns out to vote.  EQCA is holding phone banks around the state targeting key legislative and judicial races. Please volunteer at the phone bank closest to you.

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5-4-10  – MELANIE NATHAN

Tonight when you go to sleep  and you look over at the person  you fell in love with, married and vowed to spend the rest of your life with;

Think about Madison, a Binational same sex partner, who has not been able to reach over toward his beloved, for the better part of many years;

Tomorrow when you and your family get up and eat oatmeal, drink steamy coffee with smooth buttered toast;

Think of Madison whose heart breaks as he thinks of his beloved, starving abroad;

Tomorrow when you go to the office and you head South on the 101, and look at the motorists in their vehicles set for the days adventure,

Think about Madison who is sitting in his store, trying to reach his life partner, unsure if the time change or  the satellite blocks, will render his calls useless;

And so it goes on… and on…. and on….

and while it does

Think of Madison

Because there are those amongst us, who when they go to sleep tonight and look over at the person they married and vowed to spend the rest of their life with, will not give a damn, even though they may well be one of the very ones with the power and congressional capability to change this egregious and heartbreaking day for Madison.

After you watch this Video of Senator Jeff Session at the Senate Judiciary hearing almost a year ago to the date,

Think about Madison and Imagine how he must feel with horrendous people like this … voted by Bigots so that they can govern as Bigots

and then again Think about Madison.

After you have thought apply your conscience and help work for a shame-free America …..  Sign the Petition at-

MEL NATHAN’ s
LGBT Binational Immigration Column; Stories and UAFA

http://lezgetreal.com/?cat=5029

Melanie has authored a VISA – for Binational LGBT Permanent Partners, fiance’s and spouses- as a stop gap measure to bring Bi-nationals back from exile and to help those currently facing unnecessary legal consequences. Please click her to support this much needed interim remedy. Immigration reform is a long way away for those who are either in separation or who are married to Americans yet still face deportation:

TO SIGN PETITION PLEASE CLICK HERE ;
http://immigration.change.org/petitions/view/special_visa_for_binational_lgbt_spouse-perma-partners

By Melanie Nathan

binationals@privatecourts.com@oblogdeeoblogda

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04/29/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Before NY Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was called on to fill Hilary Clinton’s Senate seat, she was percieved as being a conservative Democrat. However, Senator Gillibrand has proven herself to be both a staunch supporter of LGBT rights, but also for education and health care. She has also never shied away from speaking out about the causes that are important to her constituents, she is usually the first in line to speak her opinion on the issues that really matter. Recently, there have been rumors that Gillibrans is backing away from her liberal tendencies. However, there is little evidence to support this.

Senator Gillibrand was supposed to speak to the Stonewall Democratic Club, but had to cancel at the last minute. She called on City Council Speaker, Christine Quinn, to fill in for her. Quinn effectively squelched the rumors that Gillibrand is becoming more conservative. 

“I think truly she held these positions through her entire career and her entire working life,” Ms. Quinn said last night. “There was misinformation out there at points about her positions that indicated she had different positions than what she actually had. And I think it’s important for all of us to know that. I took the time and learned that when she was first appointed to the Senate.”

“There was inaccurate information out there,” Ms. Quinn said. “Some would say her positions have switched. I don’t think that’s true at all.”

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Fox News has learned that Charlie Crist has decided and plans to announce that he is running as an Independent for the U.S. Senate.

That, literally, is the tweet.

The decision by Christ comes as polls show that he would actually do better running as an independent than as a Republican; however, the polling is a bit ahead of the election and even the primary and could change. It creates a difficult to predict situation where the Democrats could end up taking away a Republican seat, but also creates a situation whereby another independent would mean that complex negotiations over a variety of pieces of legislation would probably ensue.

If Christ does become an independent, it may cause more problems down the line. A large number of long time moderate candidates are under attack from the Republican Party’s grassroots, and his departure could cause a greater number of independent moderates to run without the Republican Party and, thus, pull votes from both parties. Of course, with the Democrats flush for cash, this could result in more Democrats winning because of the cash advantage over both the independent and the Republicans.

If Christ were to win, he would join Senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Joseph Leiberman of Connecticut as the only independents in the Senate.

This is not an uncommon attack. Elena Kagan has been attacked of late for being lesbian, whether or not she really is. In fact, the attempt, as pointed out at Salon.com, is to try to make it sound and seem as if anyone who is not a supporter of their ideology must not be a true American.

“This is the language of a political movement that sees itself defending a peculiar, limited version of democratic politics. Academics have a term for this idea: herrenvolk democracy. The basic idea is that there is supposed to be equality, and even unanimity on crucial matters, among qualified citizens. And if someone breaks the consensus, it’s not so much a sign that there needs to be an argument about this or that issue. It just casts doubt on whether that person was a legitimate member of the group in the first place.”

This is not an uncommon way of dismissing those who might have a different view of what society might be. With President Barack Obama, the tactic is to dismiss him as a Kenyan and a “foreigner”.

Lindsey Graham is one of the few people in the Republican Party to speak out against the use of racial and homophobic epithets among the Tea Party, and has been one of the few Republicans to be willing to negotiate when it came to Financial Reform though the Party leadership have managed to bring him in to close ranks.

It should not be surprising that the Tea Party is trying to expel any and all moderates who oppose their belief systems or their view of what American Democracy should look like, even if it means trying to return to the days when only a few landed gentry had the right to vote in elections.

Of course, it is impressive that Senator Kyl went on FOX News to state “We will have to do things like extending unemployment benefits because unemployment is so high, 9.7 percent, 15 million Americans unemployed,” and “So we will do those things to take care of the families that are suffering right now.” Perhaps Senator Kyl got the memo that the majority of Tea Party participants are on unemployment or social security. That without this money, they might have to rush out to seek jobs that will cut out their ability to drive to Nevada to irritate and upset the people living in Searchlight, and cause a probable backlash that will catapult Senator Harry Reid back into office.

For many relying on unemployment insurance, they are one missed check away from disaster.

Of course, lost on Senator Kyl is the fact that it is his party that is blocking the unemployment extension. Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma is blocking unanimous consent with the backing of the Party’s leadership in the Senate. Or, perhaps, he is hoping that the Democrats will get the blame since the Republicans are lagging so far behind the money that they have to hurt innocent people in order to make their beliefs look good.

Senator Coburn is blocking unemployment for the same reason that Senator Jim Bunning did- the bill does not have a clear way to pay for the extension. Of course, one might point out that the bills that paid for the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan did not pay for themselves and were done entirely off the books, but that would also require pointing out that those bills were done that way in order to make it impossible for the Democrats to actually object to the funding in case they were seen as being unpatriotic.

As Republicans Block Unemployment Insurance, Kyl Calls For Extending The Benefits

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Obama Administration appointee’s have faced an unprecedented level of obstruction in the Senate and a total of 217 nominees are pending before the Senate. Feldblum, who is a lead author of the Employment Nondiscrimination Act, was a prime target for the Republican confirmation boycott.

At this time in 2002, President Bush had only 5 nominees pending on the floor. By contrast, President Obama has 77 nominees currently pending on the floor, 58 of which have been waiting for over two weeks and 44 of those have been waiting more than a month.

“The United States Senate has the responsibility to approve or disapprove of my nominees. But if, in the interest of scoring political points, Republicans in the Senate refuse to exercise that responsibility, I must act in the interest of the American people and exercise my authority to fill these positions on an interim basis,” said President Barack Obama. “Most of the men and women whose appointments I am announcing today were approved by Senate committees months ago, yet still await a vote of the Senate. At a time of economic emergency, two top appointees to the Department of Treasury have been held up for nearly six months. I simply cannot allow partisan politics to stand in the way of the basic functioning of government.”

Numerous right-wing groups voiced opposition to Feldblum shortly after she was nominated, and Focus on the Family, the Traditional Values Coalition, the Liberty Counsel, the American Family Association, and a number of other ultraconservative groups signed onto a letter to the committee, saying they “strongly oppose” Feldblum’s nomination saying they believed she was a threat to religious liberty.

Feldblum was also became a target of controversy after it was revealed she had attached her name to a petition on relationships that had also supported polygamy.

But when asked chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) Feldblum explained she had signed onto a 2006 statement that expressed a number of views on marriage, including support for polygamy and said while she agreed with the “general thrust” of the overall statement, “I do not support polygamy. I am sorry I signed that document and I have asked that my name be removed,” and added the full statement “goes beyond what I would have said and it was mistake to sign it.”

Following their appointment, these nominees will remain in the Senate for confirmation.

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03/25/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown is attacking one of his own constituents, Rachel Maddow. Brown sent out a fundraising letter “liberal MSNBC anchor” Maddow is being recruited by the “political machine in Massachusetts,” and that America “can’t afford Maddow’s Liberal agenda.” You can read the entire letter below:

Friends,

It’s only been a couple of months since I’ve been in office, and before I’ve even settled into my new job, the political machine in Massachusetts is looking for someone to run against me. And you’re not going to believe who they are supposedly trying to recruit — liberal MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow.

Rachel lives in western Massachusetts, and recently it was reported that the chairman of the state Democratic Party had apparently tried to reach out to her in an attempt to coax her into a race against me. You can read about it here.

The political season never ends, which is why I need your continued support. While my opponents strategize on how to defeat me in 2012, I’m going to continue to speak out against higher taxes, more spending and greater government control in our lives.

I relish being an independent voice in Washington, one that doesn’t march in lockstep with the rest of the Washington crowd. The Democratic Party bosses in Massachusetts disagree. They want a rubberstamp who will vote for their plans to expand government, increase debt and raise taxes. Someone like Rachel Maddow. I’m sure she’s a nice person — I just don’t think America can afford her liberal politics.

Rachel Maddow has a nightly platform to push her far-left agenda. What about you? I’d like to encourage ordinary American citizens concerned about the future of their country to get more involved in our government. I hope you were encouraged by my victory to become more politically active, maybe even become a candidate for office yourself. We can continue to push our movement forward by running for office, joining in rallies and petitions that challenge President Obama and Nancy Pelosi’s healthcare legislation, supporting campaigns against the tax-and-spenders or by donating time and money to office-holders and candidates who will restore the principles of our founders.

I’m grateful you are with me. Thanks again for whatever support you can provide me, and I look forward to joining in further victories with you down the line.

Sincerely,

Scott Brown

United States Senator

The biggest problem with this letter? It’s based on an incorrect premise, that Rachel Maddow is running for office. She’s not. In fact, Maddow revealed on her show that Brown’s office never even called her to verify this fact. Brown sent out a letter to his constituents, that is a complete lie.

When Brown went on a radio show, the show’s host pointed out that Maddow announced on her show that she is not running and never had any intention of running. To this, the former beefcake pin-up model replied, “Bring her on, I don’t care”

Maddow played this clip on her show and replied:

“Bring what on? I’m not running against you. I’m not running for anything! You made this up. Scott Brown is my senator…his senate office is even not returning my phone call…and won’t retract the letter even tho it’s not factually true. I may be an awful person but I’m not running against him.”

Maddow ended her program last night with a fake phone call to a “fellow Bay State” resident. She has been covering the various “boogeymen” that the Republicans have been using as a tactic to scare people into voting for them. Brown is now using Maddow in the same fashion as other conservatives have used the threat of “death panels.” Is that the kind of Senator Brown really wants to be? The kind of Senator that uses fear to stay in office? Even if that means attacking one of his own constituents with untrue allegations and turning her fellow Massachusetts State citizens against her? I thought that Senators were supposed to represent their State, not bully constituents who don’t agree with their agendas, whether it be conservative or liberal.

Maddow closes the segment by challenging Brown to come on her show and talk to her about his ridiculous allegations.

Basically, Brown said ‘bring it on’ and Maddow said “it’s already been broughten.” Lets see if Brown has the cojones to give Maddow a phone call or even better, appear on the show.

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The height of chutzpah is when you never turn out for a vote and then expect others to turn out to vote for you!

Melanie Nathan. San Francisco, Marin County.    In  all  California news tonight  is the horrific suggestion that Carly Fiorina and Barbara Boxer are running close to a tie, even though we  are still waiting for the primary elections.

People who don’t vote don’t care! Carly Fiorina has not voted since 2000.  Now she is running for California ‘s  US Senate seat currently held by Barbara Boxer and suddenly she cares?   Makes no sense to me.

Fiorina’s talking point is clear – she repeatedly refers to Senator Boxer as a ‘career politician’ in snickering parlance  as if she were spewing “career criminal.”

As the interviewer challenges her repetitive reference, he reminds her that she has endorsed other ‘career politicians’ such as McCain, and others.  She side skirts the question with the poise of the most experienced of politicians in technique that belies her insistence of an “outsider” image.

What makes Fiorina think that it is not okay to be a career politician?  I think it’s a wonderful career, to be a politician.   I embrace the term.  I think many great Americans have aspired to such and earned the title.

For long now the right wing handlers, in whose palms Ms. Fiorina is clearly in mould, have tried to hijack benign phrases, that if said with a specific facial twitch and a snide wink-wink, would have a  voter for a fool!

But no hoodwinking here  Ms. Fiorina.  Nah, not in California or in lezgetreal land; we ware going to have your hide – you are already slipping up and we can see right through you.

For someone who failed to vote, to suddenly cares? The height of chutzpah, imagine if we all chose not to vote. We would live in an autocracy. Fiorina you have failed in your  duty to vote- you have failed America and now you want to be a Senator.   You  want to take the Senate seat of someone who has dedicated her life to public service while you screwed others out of millions?

Do we want another money hungry power seeker in D.C.  Quite frankly I would rather have a career politician, who is there for the right reasons, to be a career politician!

Carly says she never voted because she thought her vote did not count.  Okay don’t BS me…  what person can claim intelligence when making such a stupid excuse.   Of course your VOTE counts Carly – just like mine and the 40 million others….. and those that do not vote – simply do not care.

Okay now that the rant is done here is why we should all help to defeat Carly Fiorina before she gets a leg in and then any of the republicans in the primary.

Carly Fiorina is ANTI-GAY MARRIAGE -

Reasons to fight to keep Barbara Boxer – she is one of he most pro gay legislators in Senate– co-sponsor for UAFA, and also for repeal of DOMA, She is pro DADT Repeal, Pro ENDA, and in light of this we must help in the fight to keep her in the Senate.  Truly we cannot afford to loose her. She is our friend.

Please visit her campaign and see if you can be of any help via donations or volunteering.

By  Melanie Nathan. nathan@privatecourts.com

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FRI Chairman Dr. Paul Cameron, of course, decided to attack the Obama Administration for rules which have been in place for some time by stating “We’re Americans. Where does the post office get off enforcing Obama’s rules and thinking, on us, because we disagree with them.” Of course, the fact that the FRI’s research flies in the face of recent polling showing that the current military is more than willing to accept gays and lesbians serving openly, and that the majority of Americans feel that it is time to repeal the ban does not seem to phase them in the least.

Currently, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act is under consideration by the House and Senate, and may pass before the study into how to implement repeal goes through.

Anti-Gay Mailer Sparks Controversy At Post Office

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Yesterday, Republican Representative Ahn Cao signed up to cosponsor the MREA bill. It is likely that the bill will be folded into the Defense Bill which would be voted on no later than October. Doing this would make it nigh on impossible to block with a filibuster in the Senate.

Unfortunately, problems arose yesterday with comments made by Kathy Griffin regarding House Majority Whip James Clyburn.

According to this source, who is close to Lt. Choi, a number of people tried to talk him out of his plan. With the repeal underway and the study going full throttle, it is a delicate time in the repeal of DADT. This means that anything that could be seen as being problematic or aggrandizing or taking this issue less than seriously could bolster the position of those in opposition to the MREA and make passage that much more difficult.

The Human Rights Campaign is holding a rally at noon today in Washington, DC after the Senate Armed Services Committee holds another hearing into repeal.

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03/17/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

Yesterday, Queens voters faced a choice, re-elect expelled State Sentator Hiram Monserrateor elect Jose Peralta to represent the district. Voters chose Peralta, in a landslide. As mentioned on previous coverage on LGR, Monserrate was expelled from the State Senate by his peers after assaulting his girlfriend. The vote by the State Senate was 53-8 to expel him. Monserrate maintained that the voters should have been the ones to remove him from office and that would support him and see that he got back into office when he ran again.  Monserrate did have some supporters, who felt that Monserrate’s girlfriend’s beating was “exaggerated” and that she “deserved what she got.”

 On the flip side, he has also been protested by women’s groups who feel that a public official, who is caught hurting a woman on videotape, should not hold represent New York as a State Senator. LGBT rightsgroups were also out protesting Monserrate after he promised his LGBT constituents marriage equality and then voted against it.

Jose Peralta challenged Monserrate in the race for the State Senate seat. Peralta was endorsed by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a staunch supporter of LGBT rights, and Chuck Schumer.  The results of the special election in Queens proves that New Yorkers are ready to put an end to corruption and want politicians they can trust in office.

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Senators voted without debate and it is not known why the three Republicans, who supported an even broader measure two years ago, changed their vote in the committee today.

An article featured earlier on here on LGR and on Big Gay Closet, suggested their change of heart may have come after a Pennsylvania blogger threatened to out any closeted Senator who voted for the bill.

Last Friday Pennsylvania Progressive Blogger John Morgan said, “I spend a fair amount of time in Harrisburg.  I know who is closeted. Any closeted Senator who votes for Eichelberger’s bill will be outed. I also know a State Senator who is wildly homophobic and is also an alcoholic.  One of her rants will also be made public depending on her vote. This is fair warning.”

The Republican crossovers were Senator Mary Jo White, Senator Jane M. Earll, and Senator John R. Gordner.

“Make no mistake, they voted to kill the bill, whatever other excuse they may give,” said Sen. John Eichelberger, R-Blair, who sponsored the bill.

Pennsylvania law already defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, but Eichelberger said his proposed constitutional amendment would prevent a court from overturning the state law that defines
marriage as between a man and a woman, as has happened in other states.

Today’s vote effectively ended any chances such an amendment could become part of the Keystones State’s constitution at least for a while; in Pennsylvania, a bill to amend the state constitution requires approval from both legislative chambers in two consecutive two-year sessions and ultimately voter approval in a statewide
referendum.

“We knew this was coming in the last couple of days because some of the people had switched their votes,” Eichelberger said, noting that even though the table motion could allow for the bill to be resurrected before the end of this session, that’s not going to happen. “The people who voted for this were voting to kill it. That’s the realistic picture. Why they did it, I don’t know, because they are some of the people who were in support of this effort in the past.”

from Philadelphia Gay News

via UPDATED: A Pennsylvania Outing: Bill SB 707 « Big Gay Closet.

This very interesting quote comes after the Pennsylvania Senate tabled SB707 by a vote of 8-6.

It’s mostly interesting because this was blogged on Friday:

I spend a fair amount of time in Harrisburg. I know who is closeted. Any closeted Senator who votes for Eichelberger’s bill will be outed. I also know a State Senator who is wildly homophobic and is also an alcoholic. One of her rants will also be made public depending on her vote. This is fair warning.

via The Pennsylvania Progressive:: The State Senate’s Bigotry.

So, who changed their votes? And did they do it because they feared being outed?

03/11/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

“Sex and the City” star Cynthia Nixon is joing with LGBT activist groups in NYC to promote marriage equality – with an immediate focus on keeping ousted Queens State Sen. Hiram Monserrate, a “no” vote in the gay marriage fight, from winning back his seat next week. The Empire State Agenda has publically called for the LGBT community to fight back against Hiram Monserrate, who between flip-flopping on marriage equality and beating his girlfriend, is rapidly becoming one of the most hated politicians in the city.

“I am a lifelong New Yorker yet still do not have the same rights as most of my friends and neighbors,” Nixon says in the video made by Fight Back NY, which is going after senators who were against the marriage equality bill when it came to the floor for a vote last year.

“Last year I got engaged to the woman I love, but on December 2, the New York State Senate voted against my right to marry her,” she said of her longtime girlfriend (and now fiancee), education advocate Christine Marinoni. “Last year, I went to Albany to talk to state senators about why marriage equality is so important to me and my family.”

She adds, “They didn’t get the message. They still think that it’s OK to treat me and hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers like second-class citizens. I’m not OK with that, and that’s why I’ve decided to FIGHT BACK. I am supporting Fight Back New York so that we can finally show these anti-equality state senators that there are consequences for their actions — that they can lose their seats for voting against our rights.”

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03/08/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

In news that we all knew already, anti-gay Senator Roy Ashburn confirmed that he is gay. The Republican Senator has been on leave from the Senate since his arrest for DUI last week. The Senator was drunk, driving home from a gay bar, with another man with him in the car. This morning, he announced his sexual orientation on a radio show.

“I’m gay,” Ashburn told KERN radio host Inga Barks in an interview this morning. “Those are the words that have been so difficult for me for so long.” 

The Bakersfield Republican, tried to rationalize his record of consistently voting against gay-rights measures,said his votes were a reflection of how the majority of voters in his conservative district would have wanted him to vote. Perhaps he should have just told the truth, and said that he is a victim of internalized homophobia and his voting record was his way of attempting to hide his sexuality from the world and attempt to make others as ashamed of their sexuality as he is.  Hopefully, this journey will lead Ashburn to accept himself and makes amends to his community. Not to mention his consituents, any of whom he could have killed while driving drunk.

Ashburn, who is divorced, has been on personal leave in the Senate since last week’s arrest. He is expected to return today.

Dan Savage, author, advice columnist and LGBT activist had this to say about Ashburn and the other middle aged, homophobic gay men who fight against the community they long to be a part of:

What I wrote about Spokane mayor Jim West in January of 2006 applies doubly to Ashburn:

But none of the sympathy I felt for middle-aged gay men I met in the early 1980s extended to West—or to any closeted middle-aged men today who fear getting caught.West is 54 years old. That means he was 18 in 1969, the year of the Stonewall riots. He was 26 in 1977, the year that Harvey Milk was elected to the board of supervisors in San Francisco. He was 29 years old when I was 17 and hanging out in bars in Chicago. He was 34 years old when my boyfriend was being beaten in his Spokane high school, in a district that West represented in the Washington State legislature

Jim West knew better. He knew he didn’t have to live a lie. He knew he could have lived as an openly gay or bisexual man—bisexual is all West has admitted to in most of his interviews, although no pictures of young women were found on his work computer—but he chose not to. Unlike the older gay men I met in 1981, West and other closeted middle-aged men today didn’t come of age at a time when no one could conceive of openly gay and lesbian people and communities. (Or politicians: Washington State has four openly gay members of its legislature.) Jim West chose the closet and shame and lies and hypocrisy.

So while I had sympathy for gay men who came out late in life in the 1970s and 1980s, I find I have no sympathy for Jim West or other men like him today. Their stories aren’t tragic, they’re pathetic. They didn’t miss out. They opted out. Fuck ‘em.

Ashburn was 15-years-old in 1969. Fuck him.

UPDATE: Joe points out that Ashburn—new that he’s out of the closet—still plans to vote against gay rights legislation. So, like, fuck Roy Ashburn. Fuck with something that’s been dipped in napalm and dredged through ground glass. Seriously.

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By Melanie Nathan 3-6-10.  The Barbara Boxer for Senate Campaign has provided this information:

At high noon on Friday, Republican candidates Tom Campbell, Chuck DeVore, and Carly Fiorina squared off in the first debate of their primary campaign for U.S. Senate here in California — and it sure didn’t take long for the gloves to come off.

The LA Times called it “a tense first debate” as the trio “traded foreign policy insults” amidst a flurry of harsh charges and counter charges. By attempting to outdo each other in their strident efforts to woo the extreme right-wing voters who have a critical role in selecting the Republican nominee, each of the threesome proved to be out of touch with mainstream California values and priorities.

Of course this was just a preview of the aggressive, negative attacks that our Republican opponents will continue to hurl at Barbara Boxer and her record of accomplishment for California. Clearly, whichever GOP candidate wins in June will be coming after Barbara Boxer hard all summer and through Election Day.

Among the specific charges from the debate, Campbell was called “a friend to our enemies” by DeVore, while Fiorina implied that Campbell is anti-Israel.

Fiorina was pressed to defend her various explanations of HP’s involvement with Iran, “specifically the actions of a Hewlett-Packard subsidiary that sold printers to Iran, which is subject to a trade embargo,” the LA Times reported. According to the Times, “Hewlett-Packard cut off ties to the United Arab Emirates-based subsidiary after reports came out about the sales in 2009, four years after she was fired from the company.”

The Fox and Hounds blog concluded that Fiorina “managed the terrible trick of managing to sound defensive even when she was attacking” and declared DeVore the “clear winner of the encounter.”

Well, if this is how our Republican opponents campaign against members of their own party in a primary, we can only imagine how the ultimate GOP nominee will ratchet up their attacks on Barbara, said the Campaign.

I am hoping the Senator will do something meaningful soon, to bolster her popularity with the LGBT community and bring us back to what has felt like a very empty table.  I for one would be really angry of the Senator fell foul to our disappointment with the current Democratic dilatory performance, for LGBT equality legislation.  With great promise fueling our efforts, we did a lot to get President Obama elected. Our influence has been prevalent in the Senator’s previous campaigns.  I attended one of the first ever campaign fundraisers for Senator Boxer, in Los Angeles, when she was first elected to the Senate. The group consisted of mostly lesbians.

Now we are tired and something extraordinary must happen for us.  We are calling out for  some leadership from Senator Boxer.  Indeed the Senator has always been a great supporter for all our legislation and her record is stellar.  However we need a champion in the Senate, like Jerold Nadler in the house.  Now is the time for one to emerge and I hereby offer you, Senator,  the coveted role.   I say Senator Boxer; we will vote for you anyway, no matter what. We love you and always will.  However if you want our money, a lot of it and extra thousands of new votes yet to be reached, then come out with a big ‘RAH RAH RAH’ for UAFA* – or something! 

How about Respect for marriage Act – a Senate version  of such leadership. Repeal of DOMA.

*Uniting American Families Act.

Melanie Nathan

By Melanie Nathan

Nathan@privatecourts.com
twitter @ oblogdeeoblogda

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Republicans have been critical of the repeal, stating that the study that will go along side it is already biased. On this issue, the GOP is playing to the narrowest of bases including the people from the American Family Association and Westboro Baptist Church. Currently, somewhere between sixty and seventy percent of Americans favor repeal. Defense Press Secretary Geoff Morrell stated in a press conference “We are saying we want to understand what the impact of a repeal would be and be prepared for that possible eventuality,” and “Well, we’ve never — we’ve never made that assumption. We have always been very explicit about the fact that it is the president’s desire to repeal ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’” in refutation to the Republicans’ concern over the study.

Senators Gillibrand, Levin and Lieberman were on hand to introduce the MREA. In her speech (which follows), Senator Gillibrand stated “’Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is an unjust and discriminatory measure that hampers our national security and violates the civil rights of some of the bravest, most heroic Americans. This policy is wrong for our national security and inconsistent with the moral foundation upon which our country was founded. When we repeal this policy – and we will repeal this policy – we will strengthen America – both militarily and morally.”

Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont stated “This will help ensure that we have a defense force that reflects our commitment to the fundamental principles upon which the country was founded. We ask our troops to protect freedom in places around the globe. It is time to protect their basic freedoms and equal rights here at home.”

“The bottom line is that we have a volunteer military. If Americans want to serve, they ought to have the right to be considered for that service regardless of characteristics such as race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. Repealing the current policy will allow more patriotic Americans to defend our national security and live up to our nation’s founding values of freedom and opportunity,” said Senator Lieberman at the press conference. Lieberman opposed DADT when it was first introduced.

It was, perhaps, Senator Al Frankin who made the best, and wittiest point. “I’ve been on 7 USO tours – 4 to Iraq and Afghanistan – and I recently returned from a trip to the Afghanistan-Pakistan region as Senator. Over the years I’ve seen tremendous movement on this issue within the military. They’re ready for it and we’re ready for it. We need to end a policy that forces patriotic Americans to lie in order to defend their country.”

As a point of reference, the Defense Budget Bill is also known as the Defense Reauthorization Bill and Defense Authorization Bill. This is why I tend to note it as the Defense Re/Authorization Bill.

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The recent revelation that Senator Gillibrand actually had a Republican opponent raised questions of “who is that guy?”, and “I did not know that she HAD a Republican opponent.” While she does, indeed, have a potential Republican opponent, it is probable that Senator Gillibrand will not face a serious threat now due, largely, to the big names lining up to replace embattled Governor Paterson.

Senator Gillibrand is not well liked by many Manhattanite elites. She, herself, hails from Upstate, and that is largely why Senator Chuck Schumer proposed that she be appointed to replace Senator Hilary Clinton when she left the Senate to become Secretary of State.

Zuckerman stated that the reason for his reticence regarding running for the seat had largely to do with the impact it would have on his family and business. He has two young daughters. Being a Senator is a full time job which often takes a person back and forth between the home state and Washington on a weekly basis. It also requires a good deal of money to maintain two households. At one time, then Congressman Jim Jeffords kept a cot in his office in order to sleep due to the expensive nature of finding reliable housing in Washington, DC.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand does not have a long record in the Senate, having only just been appointed to that august body last year. She is one of the major sponsors of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act which would, if passed, repeal the law known colloquially as Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

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Senator Bunning objected to the motion for a quick vote on the bill for a twelfth time. While his stated objections to it have come from his stern belief that adding an additional ten billion dollars to the deficit is wrong, part of the problem may come from the fact that the bill that was pulled by Senator Reid to extend these benefits for three months included pork which would have benefitted Kentucky. Reid has introduced a year long bill to replace that three month bill. Senator Bunning is objecting to the call for unanimous consent which would have allowed a quick vote bypassing most of the normal procedures required for a full vote.

Senator Susan Collins of Maine tried to get the extension bill moving, but was unsuccessful.

Senator Bunning announced last night that he was having to give up a basketball game in order to be on the floor of the Senate in order to keep this bill from coming to a vote. “You see that’s the difference between Jim Bunning’s pain and the pain of the unemployed. Jim Bunning’s pain can be fixed by a Tivo,” remarked Jon Stewart of the Daily Show. Senator Bunning’s sacrifice will undoubtably not comfort Susan Mason, a 57 year old mechanical engineer designer from New Jersey. It is likely that Susan Mason will miss her house payment without any unemployment insurance coming in. Unfortunately, banks are often unforgiving when people miss payments and ultimately tend to levy high fees on them as punishment no matter what circumstances they find themselves in.
Tweet to let Bunning know what you think

200,000 To Lose Unemployment Benefits This Week

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“I refuse to do anything. That would help Republicans win a Senate seat in New York, and give the Senate majority to the Republicans.”

Ford has been under immense pressure to not run by the Democratic Party as well as the New York LGBT Community. His departure from the race leaves Gilibrand facing political unknowns in both the Democratic Primary and the General Election as no high profile Republicans have stepped forward to take her on.

Several New York City based donors had been urging Ford to run for the seat because they feel underwhelmed by Senator Gilibrand. Senator Chuck Schumer had recommended her to replace Senator Hilary Clinton largely because Gilibrand was an Upstate New Yorker and balanced himself out since he is from the City. Senator Gilibrand, as the junior Senator, is not shining strongly largely because she lacks the normal mandate that a fully elected Senator has. Additionally, as a junior Senator, she is hardly in the spotlight for committee assignments.

While Ford’s pollsters may have believed that he might have prevailed against Senator Gilibrand, his fear for the negative nature of the primary is something that could have crippled either him or Gilibrand afterwards. For Ford, the fact that he has been linked to Merrill Lynch and then to Bank of America was more than likely going to be a major problem for him in the long run. His reluctance to release the figures for his bonuses has been something of a problem for him as well. He has been unwilling to make that information public, and that has also become a problem for him.

At some point in the future, Harold Ford might be able to get back into politics. Between his association with the Banking Industry, his newness to New York, his lack of major name recognition (unlike Robert Kennedy and Hilary Clinton), it is unlikely that Ford would have been strong enough to survive the General Election even if he were to survive the Primary.

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Senator Reid will have a new bill which will extend benefits to the end of the year ready by tomorrow or Wednesday, and that he was going to ask for cloture so that it would be harder for just Bunning to object. Unfortunately, for millions of Americans, this may mean that they will not have any money from unemployment on Friday, and many of them are already living check to check.

Pressure is building for Bunning to drop his filibuster. This weekend, Senator Kirsten Gilibrand was one of the most vocal in calling for him to do so. The pressure may be getting to him. Today, Bunning flipped a bird at ABC producer Z. Byron Wolf while saying that he was refusing to talk to anyone. He later yelled at an ABC news crew who tried to interview him.

Bunning tried to lay blame on the Democrats stating:

“Just a brief explanation of why we are where we’re at with this extension bill, the brief extension of 30 days. There was an agreement between the majority leader of the Finance Committee and the minority leader in the Finance Committee, Sens. Baucus and Grassley, on a three-month extension of these very same provisions. There were more provisions in the bill also. It cost a little more than the the $10 billion that is asked for because it was a three-month extension. Senator Reid pulled that bill from the floor of the U.S. Senate. He did it. The leader of the Democrats pulled that bill from the floor. I support extending unemployment benefits, COBRA benefits, flood insurance, highway bill fix, doc fix, small business loans, distant network television for satellite viewers. If we can’t find $10 billion to pay for something that we all support, we will never pay for anything on the floor of this U.S. Senate.”

The problem is that one of those provisions which was in that bill which was pulled to rework it until the end of the year would have benefitted Kentucky and is the largest reason why he is filibustering.

Bunning is not running for reelection. He was pushed out of his reelection bid by more Conservative Republican primary challengers earlier this year.

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That analogy might seem odd to people, but there is some backing to it. When World War I broke out, the biggest obstacle facing the Allied and Axis armies was the advancement of defensive technology rather than offensive technology. Basically, it was easier to take ground and hold it rather than breaking through the lines. Until the invention of the tank, the lines moved little and all that happened was soldiers would die on the barbed wire barricades when people rushed the lines.

Right now, it is easier to obstruct in Congress than construct. Basically, one Senator can object to something and hold it up indefinitely. It use to be that a filibuster meant shutting down the whole Senate and forcing the Senator objecting to stand at the podium until his voice or body gave out. It brought all business to a halt. Senators had to have someone backing them in order to get a nominee shut down. Basically, the Senate functioned because it was too costly to do anything major to object to legislation that one opposed. Filibusters happened, but they were rare. Today, all a Senator has to do is say “I’m filibustering” and the legislation is tabled and the Senate moves on.

Having an easy ability to obstruct is nice, if you are the minority party, but it ultimately paralyzes the nation and this is what is slowly causing the country as a whole to turn away from the elected leaders and their government. Once people turn on their government, it is often impossible for them to feel loyalty again quickly.

For the LGBT Community, this structure is very troublesome. It means that many LGBT rights are subject to filibuster because of the high cost of preventing the obstruction. Many Republican Senators, unfortunately, want to score quick political points with their supporters and to do that means obstructing LGBT rights.

Where Reid and Pelosi are to blame for this is that they are not strong enough to change the rules back so that the filibuster and other committee and parliamentary rules make it so that the cost of obstructing business is greater than constructing business.

For the most part, the lack of the central stars on this committee meant that there was little or no discussion of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Senator John McCain was at Blair House, and the committee was largely made up of back benchers other than Senators Carl Levin and Jeff Sessions. This lead to no real fireworks regarding DADT, though a few strong words were used regarding contracts that Senator Sessions wants to steer towards his home state. The rain of the Healthcare Summit largely obliterated the fireworks causing them to fizzle.

For the most part, Admiral Roughead and General Conway kept to their normal run of answers stating how they supported the study. Conway stated that he believes that the law is working and should remain, but that he may change his view after the study is over. Senator Joseph Lieberman stated that he believes that the repeal will enhance military readiness, and is confident that the study will show that.

Image via Wikipedia

02/25/2010- by Natasia Langfelder

The Empire State Pride Agenda, the premier NYC LGBT organization, is taking on former State Senator Hiram Monserrate.  They have started the “Don’t Get Mad, Get Even” campaign. Monserrate is the stereotypical corrupt politician. He was one of the democratic senators who voted against marriage equality in late 2009, after he previously stated that he was for it. He also put his own career aspirations over the well being of NY State residents by helping to effectively shut down the Senate when he and Senator Espada (D) formed a coalition with the NY Senate Republicans in June, 2009.

Monserrate is as corrupt in his personal life as he is in his professional life. He was convicted of third degree assault for attacking his girlfriend, Karla Giraldo. He was sentenced to three years probation, 250 hours of community service, a $1000 fine, and one year of domestic abuse counseling. He sought to vacate the order of protection preventing him from contact with Giraldo, with whom he is presumably still together with. He is appealing his conviction.

Monserrate was lucky to escape being convicted of a felony for the assault. However, he did not escape with his career intact. The NY State Senate voted to expel him, by a 53-8 vote with one “no present”. Proving that the disgust against Monserrate is the only thing that the NY Senate Republicans and Democrats can agree on. Monserrate has said that because he was not convicted of a felony and is appealing the conviction, he should not be thrown out of the Senate on that basis alone. He maintains that the people who voted him into office should be given the chance to vote him out.

Monserrate has also announced plans to run again. However, it seems that the ship has sailed. The Queens Democratic Party withdrew their support for Monserrate for the 2010 primary election for the State Senate on October 29, 2009. Democratic Queens County leader and Congressman Joseph Crowley announced “The community is ready to move on”. The party leadership will support Assemblyman Jose Peralta for the State Senate.

Gay or straight, no New Yorker should want to be represented by this man. Empire sent out this email blast to it’s members:

Hiram Monserrate is one of the 38 State Senators who voted no on the marriage equality bill on December 2, 2009. No only did he vote no, but he broke his previous commitment to support marriage equality when it came to the Senate floor for a vote.

Monserrate was convicted last year of assaulting his girlfriend, which led to his recent expulsion from the State Senate. But now he’s running to try to get back into the Senate. Our candidate in the March 16 Special Election is popular Assembly member Jose Peralta, who has consistently voted in favor of marriage equality, transgender civil rights and other important LGBT issues.

Donate now to our campaign to get rid of Hiram Monserrate: “Don’t Get Mad, Get Even.” This is our first chance to replace an anti-LGBT Senator with a strong, pro-LGBT Senator. Every dollar that you contribute will go to making sure this shameful legislator does not return to the State Senate.

If you’re mad about the December 2 marriage vote, now is the time to get even. Join us in taking out Hiram Monserrate and electing Jose Peralta.

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The Federal Budget is rife with dead end funding. Believe it or not, there are commissions, agencies, panels and programs which are funded by the Federal Government without having any law to back their existence. Those programs often had laws which created and backed their authority, but those laws are no longer in force. The funding for them still is. That might seem like an oddity, but the reality is that this happens all the time. In the 1990’s, President Bill Clinton tightened the budget by doing away with things like the Tea Board, which was created at the inception of this country to monitor the quality of tea coming into this nation. The Tea Board was no longer necessary, but it got funding because it had always gotten funding. The United States Military Budget was still paying for inspectors to look over the quality of cotton and wool used in uniforms despite the fact that the United States Military uniforms are no longer made using these materials and had not been for over thirty years.

It might seem like a strange thing for Senator Gillibrand to do and to do so publicly. On the one hand, she is stripping from the Defense Budget, also known as the Defense Authorization Bill or Defense Reauthorization Bill, the funding of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell enforcement largely because it does two things. It does no harm by defunding the enforcement mechanism given that the MREA may be passed and thus saving the Federal government money, but it also does a lot of good if the MREA does not manage to get the votes to get into the Defense Budget and the mechanism is then defunded and defunct. One way in which Congress will operate at times is to create a law and provide no money for enforcement.

Senator Gillibrand has been an ally of the LGBT Community. Her views have changed over the years, but she also has a record of working hard to get LGBT issues passed. She has indicated a strong belief now that the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act is the right thing to do, and she has been vocally for repealing DADT. She tried unsuccessfully to get this defunding amendment passed last year. She is a Senate co-sponsor of the MREA. Since moving to the Senate, Kirsten Gillibrand has been pushing for many LGBT issues. Unlike former Congressman Harold Ford Jr., Senator Gillibrand has not been asking the LGBT Community to simply trust that she has changed her views. She has pushed for changes in the laws so that LGBT Americans can be equal in this nation.

The Defense Authorization Bill, or Defense Budget, will be for next year, and will likely not pass Congress until sometime in September.

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