I am a little stunned I have to admit, as much by the vote as the fact that MY Senator Lisa Murkowski actually voted in favor of passing it.
I am sure I won't often have the opportunity to say this but, "Good for you Senator Murkowski!"
The vote was 63 to 33.
Here is a report from Think Progress:
Democrats delivered eloquent speeches in support of open service. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI) said, “I’m here because men and women wearing the uniform of the United States who are gay and lesbian have died for this country, because gay and lesbian men and women wearing the uniform of this country have their lives on the line right now in Afghanistan and Iraq and other places for this country.” Immediately before the vote, Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT), who has been the strongest advocate of repeal in the Senate, urged his colleagues to repeal the ban, saying “We’ve come to a point in our history, I hope, where neither race nor religion, ethnicity, or gender, or sexual orientation should deprive Americans of serving the country as the patriots they are.”
Throughout the debate, Republicans cherry picked statistics from the Pentagon report, complained about the process of bringing the measure to the floor and relied on folksy sayings like, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” to make their case for preserving the policy. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) — the biggest supporter of the policy — even conceded that Democrats probably had the votes to pass the measure, before launching into a an awkward condemnation of liberal “bastions and Georgetown cocktail parties.”
Six Republicans, including Sens. Scott Brown (R-MA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), George Voinovich (R-OH), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) all voted for the measure. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) — the only Democrat to support the Republican filibuster of the measure earlier this month — did not vote.
I hope that this is a sign of things to come and that when the actual vote takes place these Republicans don't suddenly lose their nerve. Do you hear that Lisa?
WOW you had this up before HP. I am so happy for this pass. It is the right thing ! What a great national statement!
ReplyDeleteMaryW in Oklahoma
woohoo! About time. Now get to the real vote and get rid of that ridiculous policy.
ReplyDeleteThis is Great News!! I wished the Dream Act would have passed also, but the fight is not over.
ReplyDeleteIt is about Fricking time. Good Job, Pres. I am feeling much better and what a wonderful gift for our nation for the holiday. Sure hope the 13,000 men and women lost over the last couple of years will be reinstated, especially the lingquists.
ReplyDelete(spell??)
total chickenshit vote.
ReplyDeleteglad for murkowski vote, but
as an issue this DADT is NOT an issue. At least NOT for those who ever served.
fuck mccain, who is afraid of his own memories.
Oh, you know the Snowbilly Grifter is going to RANT about this. Why, if news of more grandchildren didn't already ruin her Xmas, I'd say this probably did it.
ReplyDeleteThat little prick, John "Conqueror of Mesopotamia" McCain had some kind words;
ReplyDelete"Today's a very sad day. The Commandant of the United States Marine Coprs says when your life hangs on the line, you don't want anything distracting it. Mistakes or inattention or distraction cost Marines' lives. I don't want to permit that opportunity to happen and I'll tell you why. You go up to Bethesday Naval Hospital. Marines are up there with no legs. None. You've got Marines at Walter Reed with no limbs."
This Canadian salutes you!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the 21st century.
And Palin's tweet slamming the vote in 5...4...3...2...1
ReplyDeleteShe must be sleeping in today.
What is it with McCain and his slamming of Georgetown cocktail parties? Did his widdle fweelings get hurt once when maybe he and Cindy were left off the invite list to a party (and probably for good reason)?
ReplyDeleteWhat is it with McCain and his slamming of Georgetown cocktail parties? Did his widdle fweelings get hurt once when maybe he and Cindy were left off the invite list to a party (and probably for good reason)?
ReplyDeleteMcCain's a millionaire, doesn't even know how many homes he and his wife own.
ReplyDeleteBut apparently, he and his fellow folksy millionaires like Bush and Palin can still sneer at the Georgetown elite.
Sort of O/T, and I could be wrong, but wasn't Scott Brown's election sort of the beginning of the Tea Party phenom? It's the first time I remember hearing the term, at least. So I find it pleasantly ironic (and go, Scott Brown!) that he voted for the DADT repeal.
ReplyDeleteRe: the repeal itself, it's well past time, and I'm glad the majority of the Senate has finally realized this. I applaud the Republicans who crossed the aisle on this one, as well as the Democrats who have made this a priority. And most of all, I applaud the gay and lesbian citizens who want to serve their country in the armed forces, even when that country continues to deny you equal rights.
RE: McCain's sorry speech @ 8:39 -
ReplyDeleteI'm sure when their lives are on the line, in the heat of battle and conflict, Tommy from Idaho is still worrying about that homo Joe from New York that has his back.
can Track go back in the Army now?
ReplyDeletewill Todd come out of the closet?
McCain is a Bastard. when talking about soldiers being killed and harmed, not once did he acknowledge that there might be the possibility that some of them were gay.
ReplyDeleteMcCain says: "You go up to Bethesda Naval Hospital. Marines are up there with no legs. None. You've got Marines at Walter Reed with no limbs."
ReplyDeleteYeah, Grumpy, and one or two of those soldiers without legs are probably gay! So what does that say about a policy that it's alright to lose your legs for this country, but it's not alright to be honest about your sexual orientation?
I used to admire John McCain. I used to think he was a stand-up guy. He is now a pitiful excuse for a human being.
I think Murkowski's vote reflects her understanding that a good percentage of her votes came from Democrats who did not think McAdams had a chance to win.
ReplyDeletebeing from Illinois I was very surprised and pleased to see Sen. Kirk vote for this. I was not sure he would and really thought he wouldn't. Almost makes up for being an asswipe on the budget.
ReplyDeleteGreetings also from Canada: Well done, neighbour!
ReplyDeleteGreat news! I hope they vote on the bill and pass it today!
ReplyDeleteAnon 8:31 - from the McCain quote:
"You go up to Bethesday Naval Hospital. Marines are up there with no legs. None. You've got Marines at Walter Reed with no limbs."
The first Marine who lost a limb in Iraq is gay. He was on the Rachel Maddow show earlier this week in a powerful interview. He was personally offended by the suggestion that the loss of his leg was due to a distraction because of his sexual identity.
The Marine Commandant needs to be replaced.
I have mixed feelings about it, because the atmosphere and press surrounding did not reflect the reality, which was a move to IMPROVE and strengthen the military by getting rid of an arcane policy.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately it's been represented like we're shoving some kind of politically correct policy on the military, which is not true at all.
So I wish, instead, that the no-gay policy be strictly enforced. Because like most bad policy or religous dogma, it's a lie, and is NOT enforced across the board.
Just like the mexicans should stop picking tomatoes, and as blacks stopped riding buses and spending money in stores,...I wish all gays, lesbians and bisexuals in uniform would simultaneously walk out. Or be fired. Everyone's jaw would drop because we'd easily lose 10/20 percent of the military.
Only then would America understand what damage they're doing with this policy.
Canadian @8:50 maybe welcome to the 20th century. We still have a long way to go.
ReplyDeleteO/T but can any of you Alaskans help Malia with evidence that SP worked on a commercial fishing vessel in 2008?
ok I'm going to play devil's advocate
ReplyDelete(disclaimer: despite what I write, I do find DADT unconst in and of itself)
Because mental problems and ptsd related problems and other significant issues soldiers deal with, why is this bill SUCH an issue when a big part of it does help. Soldiers already give up liberties to serve and as I say above gays shouldnt have to hide their true selves. However, rape, assault and murder exist. If gays and straights alike were forced to not think about their sexuality and concentrate on their job (something a bill could maybe accomplish if there were severe penalities) dadt isn't evil.
I just think it protects gays from soldiers who could be offended or think they're hitting on them. That sounds mean and wrong but eh, there are other problems we should be focusing on, like the sexual abuse and murder in the armed forces.
woohoo, finally! a proud moment.
ReplyDeleteo/t, gryph, but have you seen the third part of the gma interview of sarah with robin roberts? it's probably the stupidest part of the interview. i like robin, but she did a real fluff piece here. first of all, a caribou is in the reindeer family. then, the aaron sorkin piece was brought up, and sarah's comment about it was mystifying. can you make any sense of this (a rhetorical question when it comes to sarah, of course!):
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/sarah-palin-reacts-ridicule-12421066
Progressive Alaska brought up a great point, John McCain is so concerned about the military being harmed by repeal of dadt, what about sending them to war in the 1st place because of lies.
ReplyDeleteGD it!
ReplyDeleteDon´t you know?
This battle was won when Mark Bingham, the gay rugby player who charged the cockpit on flight 93, made America proud.
He was/is everything that is good about our country.
Thank you, Mark!
Thank you, Lisa!
Thank you, America!
Fuck you, sarah!
Yes, demoreno56 - I agree - especially the cunning linguists.
ReplyDeleteOh, my, when she refers to the "impotent and limp" she's talking about Todd? He's not the biological father of any of those kids? In vitro, Sarah? Who are the donors?
ReplyDelete10:30 AM
ReplyDeleteyour link to Robin Robert's interview -- at the moment the video showing the caribou downing stops, Sowah is heard to say "good" in a hushed and delighted tone, and her facial expression in the next "frame' (back at the interview) echoes that delight -- she is nothing if not openly cruel.
herk
REPEALED, REPEALED, REPEALED!
ReplyDeleteKudos to the U.S. from one more Canadian. Any progress your country can make in furthering human rights is applauded by those of us who fear the current backward direction being pushed by those Americans whose mantra is 'we want to take our country back'. Let's hope that sanity will prevail and these folks will not be given the opportunity to fulfill their wish.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't matter a lot the actual vote onf DADT was scheduled for 3PM EST and I watched it on CSPAN helel shortly after 3PM.
ReplyDeleteThis is what gets people so confused they have all the votes on procedural stuff and amendments before the actual up or down vote.
They were supposed to vote on START today but asshole McCain has an amendment that needs to be discussed in committee and they have to debate START on the floor. So Reid put the START vote off till tomorrow.
McCain blamed elite liberals with no military experience for pushing their social agenda on troops during wartime.
ReplyDeleteThat's right: Grumpy's neo-con buddies who got us into Iraq quagmire were all veteran warriors!
I too am glad that Sen. Murkowski is on the right side of history here. I did vote for her and her recent wavering on this issue was upsetting to me. Good going, Lisa.
ReplyDeleteSuck It Limp and Impotent John McCain
ReplyDeleteSuck It NOM
Suck It Rightwing Hate Machine
Suck It Palin
Suck It Rethugs!!!!
- kellygrrrl
DADT is now a rotten, stinking part of our past. Yay! 65-31 What a great day this is. Thanks to so many people, yes, even some of the Republicans who have worked so hard and so long to right one of the wrongs that has been perpetrated against our gay brothers & sisters.
ReplyDeleteMcCain is a vile person. I'm sure Cindy is happy with today's results. I wish she'd leave him and take her millions with her, leaving him broke and alone. He deserves nothing good in this life.
I have a o/t question Gryph. I read in ADN that the 1st Stryker Brigade is set to deploy in May. Have you heard anything about Track going too? Has he been discharged? Why does he have to serve only one deployment if so???
ReplyDeleteway o/t
ReplyDeleteWhy would NE revert back to publishing a bunch of bullshit stories after the Edwards reveal? Youd think theyd want to mend their reputation. I saw theyre reporting Sherri Shepherds engaged. Geez Thats 3/5 View ladies who theyve said were wrongly linked to someone. How do these pubs get clearance or just their start to begin with? We saw how stupid the papparazzi are outside the DWTS studios. Theyre relentless, albeit nice, and obviously have no lives while they seek out the perfect quote. They dig and mold and pester celebs until the star says all the words they need, just not in the order.
Boggles the mind
Maybe Rebecca "Man Sour" is finishing up some Christmas shopping today. Can't wait to hear the rant from Team Twitler.
ReplyDeleteAnon @10:19 a.m.
ReplyDeleteI read Malia's account and concern regarding Palin's commercial fishing license for 2008. As much as I dislike Palin I think this is a red herring. Palin was still governor that year and I am certain she did not fish Bristol Bay that year. She was too busy trying to disentangle herself from the Troopergate inquiry and figuring out ways to keep we Alaskans distracted. It was that summer she announced all Alaskans would receive $1,200 for fuel on top of our permanent fund.
One can only hope that Lisa got enough of a buzz voting with those fine Republican women (Scott too, LOL) that she'll see where her future really lies and remember what the people of AK expect.
ReplyDeleteRandall, ya got a good one through there. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteMcCain attempting to sneer at the Georgetown elite is as stupid as Ginny and Clarence Thomas attempting the same tactic a few months ago.
ReplyDeleteLook how that worked out for them.
Where is good ol' Virginia Thomas now? Rehab? Asylum? Christian "retreat?
Next stop, McInsane: OBLIVION
- kellygrrrl
As only a parent can say it:
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mark!
Thank you, Lisa!
Thank you, America!
Fuck you, sarah!
(Thank you, @10:49 AM.)
Hey Gryph Sarah Jones wrote about you getting kicked out:-)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.politicususa.com/en/sarah-palin-kicked-out
I waiting for the Book Signing Report! Any hints about the pulp tabloid that we'll be looking for on Monday or Tuesday?
ReplyDeleteBest response @ Huffpo to McCain's saying "it's a sad day".
ReplyDeleteHeadlessHessian 10 minutes ago (10:01 PM)
343 Fans
Senator McCain:
Your time has come and gone. You are no longer as relevant as you think you are. You were defeated for president (thank goodness) and now you have again been defeated. You no longer represent the american people but only your special interests. It is time for you to retire and move on to other pasture, hopefully far far away and hopefully never hearing your bigoted remarks and lies again.
Please make this your last term in office and show the dignity you once possessed by not running again.
Too bad that McCain will never read it.
Eight republicans voted 'yes' on the final DADT repeal vote, including Lisa Murkowski.
ReplyDeleteYes votes:
Murkowski
Snowe
Collins
Scott Brown
Voinovich
Kirk
Ensign
Burr
Now DADT is dead!