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News & ArtsMonday, June 22, 2009
Politics / Homo DADT Letter: Only Jim?
Posted by Dan Savage on Mon, Jun 22, 2009 at 1:21 PM
Seventy-seven members of Congress signed the letter sent to the White House today asking the president to suspend enforcement of DADT. Jim McDermott was the only member of the Washington state congressional delegation to sign. I've got calls out Jay Inslee's office, Brian Baird's office, Adam Smith's office, et al, asking them why they didn't sign and where they stand on DADT. You can read the letter—and read the names of those who did sign it—here.
1
Remember that time last week when you criticized something from the White House due to a spelling error? That was hilarious, because you always always make errors. Like you don't even read your own work. Like you put it out there before even thinking about it. Oh hey that sounds about right.
I've got calls out Jay Inslee's office
2
@1: Guess you don't see the difference between the more informal format of a Blog compared with a correspondence that was sent in an official capacity and for which there is some expectation that it might be proofed before printed and sent.
3
No, I guess I don't. When it comes to credibility, I don't see making yourself look stupid by making simple mistakes as being on a sliding scale.
@2: do you?
@2: do you?
5
I was actually surprised to see my rep's name on the list (Laura Richardson). She's pretty inert when it comes to the gays, so I'm happy to see her making at least some motion, particularly one that kind of nags Obama for not doing enough.
6
Yo 4, I understand that it is completely ridiculous to be the spelling police. I'm sorry to waste your time, just trying be be ironic. I'm out.
7
I emailed Rep. Norm Dicks' office last month to find out where he stands on DADT. In his response, he said: "In the past, I have joined my colleagues in the House of Representatives to co-sponsor legislation to repeal this policy and replace it with a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. I continue to support this position. [...]. Societal change often does not come easily. This issue unquestionably will require support from Congress and leadership from the Obama Administration before the changes are likely to become reality. I expect that through continued hard work, we will see this to a successful conclusion."
I'm wondering if I should write back asking where his leadership and hard work on the issue went.
I'm wondering if I should write back asking where his leadership and hard work on the issue went.
8
If these 77 member of Congress want to get rid of DADT, it's pretty easy - PASS A FUCKING BILL INSTEAD OF THE BUCK.
9
THANK YOU FOR THE LIST, as you can see it leads the energy and anger to be channelled to the scaredy cat representatives who aren't signing the letter.
And @1 wow thanks I'm sure you would never never make make a a mistake mistake.
And @1 wow thanks I'm sure you would never never make make a a mistake mistake.
10
9 -- I repeated one word (always). Perhaps it should have been "always, always...")
I have since proven my point and #2's point.
I have since proven my point and #2's point.
11
I'm pretty upset to see only one NJ Rep on that list. I just emailed my congressmen and bitched him out (politely of course) for not signing it.
12
Oh, sorry, I thought this was about how, even while the state cut funds from the UW, they gave all H1-B visa holders at Microsoft and other firms in-state tuition for free, while Americans moving here from other states only get in-state tuition after THREE years.
Silly me. Sure, let's discuss this ... and ignore everything else.
Silly me. Sure, let's discuss this ... and ignore everything else.
15
I just read the letter and among the missing from my area are Nancy Pelosi and Jackie Speier. I just sent e-mails to both of them requesting their support on this. These two are usually pro-LGBT causes. We'll see.
17
I am not sure why the whole Progressice Caucus didn't sign. Neither members of Congress from my home state of Maine signed. Mike Michaud of the Maine 2nd is a blue dog, conservative democrat, but my Congresswoman, Chellie Pingree of the Maine First is a member of the Progressive Caucus. No one from my current state of Georgia either, the districts in and around Atlanta have quite a few progressive dems. Kind of sad.
19
Look, they're not going to carry your water, cause you won't do what you have to do.
If you can't be bothered to take actual ACTIONS, don't be surprised when others refuse to do the hard work.
Argue about it all you want, but Iranians have more guts than you do.
If you can't be bothered to take actual ACTIONS, don't be surprised when others refuse to do the hard work.
Argue about it all you want, but Iranians have more guts than you do.
20
Actually, Will in Seattle, writing your congressman does more to make your voice heard than an entire day standing on a street corner with a sign. Politicians only care about two things, money and their image. If thousands of people write to their congressman asking him to support something, it will make a difference, because that politician doesn't want to look bad in front of his constituents.
But that's beside the point, Will. I'd like to know why you're trying to lecture us on how to fight for gay rights when you would clearly prefer we focus on something else.
But that's beside the point, Will. I'd like to know why you're trying to lecture us on how to fight for gay rights when you would clearly prefer we focus on something else.
21
Huh. I don't get why neither Dan nor Pam specifies that this is a letter (apparently) just from the House. So we don't need to worry about why Maria and Patty didn't sign it, I guess.
22
Will, you make as much sense as a republican comparing their being "locked out" of the House with the iranian protests via twitter.
23
I just shot an email to my rep, Dave Reichert. Probably a lost cause, but it's better than not saying anything at all.
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