Maybe, just maybe, our pressure on Senator Webb paid off today. Thanks for the effort Everyone.
Remember that story about Constance being sent to the wrong prom?
Terrence --
There's going to be a showdown on the Senate floor this week -- and we'll have a chance to do away with "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" once and for all.
Right now, though, it's not clear we'll have the votes to win.
That's because moments after Sen. Harry Reid announced the vote, Sen. John McCain again threatened to stop the bill at any cost. He said he plans to filibuster not just a vote, but even the procedure to bring it up for debate.
"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.
It is up to each of us to let the Republicans who are blocking this vote know that Americans want repeal.
Call Sen. McCain at (202) 224-2235 now, tell him America supports the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and ask him to stop standing in the way.
more below the fold-
OFA message continues-
As the President has said, we must end this law "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 (202) 224-2235 to tell him to end his filibuster threat and get out of the way of change.
Thanks for your help on this critical vote,
Mitch
Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America
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My question is- why are we applying pressure to McCain, Snowe, Collins and the others and not our own Senator Webb, who has flat out stated he will vote with the Republicans for the filibuster? Do we not have more leverage over Senator Webb than we do over Senator McCain??? And what kind of leverage are our elected, pro-GLBT legislators going to threaten Senator Webb with unless he falls in line? Loss of seniority and choice committee assignments? Loss of Party funds for his next election? Just how is he to be reprimanded for so boldly throwing us under a bus on this? Are our fierce advocates more intent on scoring points against the republicans than they are about repealing this godawful policy?
from Rachel's show yesterday-
Here is Senator Webb's statement from earlier in the year:
"Secretary of Defense Gates and Admiral Mullen have laid out a specific and responsible plan to examine the current 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy in a manner that includes a comprehensive survey of those wearing the uniform. The White House and Secretary Gates both said today that, ideally, the Defense Department should complete this review before legislative action is taken. There is no question that a review of the policy is necessary and important. I see no reason for the political process to pre-empt it."
from Americablog's John Aravosis-
So has the President called Webb to let him know that isn't what the White House meant? Has the Secretary of Defense called Webb to explain? What was the White House thinking when they issued a statement of support for the legislation that started by expressing the wish that nothing be voted on this year? Did they really think no members of Congress would get the hint?
The White House permitted Gates to, yet again, roll the President of the United States of America, while the President tried, yet again, to stake out a position, but then not really own, defend, or promote the position. And, as always the result is one big disaster.
Not a terribly inspiring message for gay and lesbian voters as we roll into November.
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GetEqual and Servicemember's Legal Defense Network (SNDN) action from last week-
During his 2006 campaign for the United States Senate, Senator Jim Webb wore his son Jimmy's old pair of combat boots on the campaign trail every day. Senator Webb said he wore the boots in tribute to his son, Jimmy, and in tribute of "all the people sent into harm's way".
And that set the stage for last week's protest by GetEQUAL, The Sanctuary Project and H.E.R.O. to point out that the Senator needs to support repeal of DADT. (GetEqual):
"Senator Webb wore combat boots on the campaign trail every day in 2006 for, as the Senator said, ALL servicemembers serving their country. We are here today to remind Senator Webb that all servicemembers includes the thousands of gay and lesbian servicemembers sacrificing their safety and security by serving honorably in our country's armed forces," said Robin McGehee, co-founder and director of GetEQUAL. "We honor Senator Webb's direct action in 2006, to show his deep committment and passion for his son and others defending our country. We have organized this action in solidarity with that vision, because we want the Senator to truly honor the service of gay and lesbian servicemembers by fully supporting the passage of the Defenese Authorization Act next week, which contains language to further the repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell'."
(see Chrislove's diary for more on this story.)
"As a Semper Fi, former Marine, I'm here today to tell Senator Webb that these combat boots I've worn in service to our country look just like his sons and everyone else's combat boots serving in the United States Armed Forces," said Cpl. Evelyn Thomas, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. "In the line of duty, there are not differences because we are all Americans and we are all putting our lives on the line in service to our country. Senator Webb, your service to this country is appreciated and honored. Next week, you have an opportunity to show me and my brothers and sisters that our service is equally appreciated and honored by you."
"Jim Webb is Senator Jim Webb because of the gay and lesbian support he received during his 2006 campaign," said Jimmy Gruender, co-chair of H.E.R.O. "Because of our community's work to put him into office and the calls and stories we here every day about how this law has affected gay and lesbian servicemembers, many from Senator Webb's own home state of Virginia, prompted us to do this action today. Senator Webb, the LGBT community stood by you when you needed us. Now, we expect you to stand by us when we need you!"
A November 17th, 2006 article in the Advocate stated, "The effort to defeat Virginia's proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage apparently pulled thousands of progressive voters out to the polls, sending Democrat James Webb to the U.S. Senate by the thinnest of margins and handing the upper chamber to the Democrats for the next two years."
Senator Webb owes the GLBT community literally for the seat he now occupies, and he is now stabbing us in the back. Well let's flood his email acct and his Facebook page with messages expressing our outrage at his treacherous, homophobic actions.
Care to leave the good senator a piece of your mind?
http://webb.senate.gov/...
http://www.facebook.com/...
Today we learn-
President Barack Obama's choice to lead the Marine Corps says he doesn't think Congress should lift the ban on gay troops who want to serve openly.
Gen. James Amos' comment came hours before a Senate test vote on a defense policy bill that would repeal the 17-year-old law, known as "don't ask, don't tell."
Amos told a Senate panel on Tuesday he was concerned that unit morale could suffer. He also said the shake up could become a distraction for forces busy fighting in Afghanistan.
When pressed by Democratic Sen. Carl Levin, who supports repealing the law, Amos said the Marine Corps would dutifully implement any changes to its personnel policy if Congress changed the law.
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***important update---
#
Called Senator Webbs office (10+ / 0-)
Recommended by:
tnichlsn, tiponeill, itskevin, Dem Beans, cloudbustingkid, Predictor, Kalex, sherijr, StepLeftStepForward, ridemybike
and they took my message.
I'm so angry about all of this and I think it's starting to come across in wavering voice and tone. I'm polite, but so fed up. And I let them know that I'm a military wife of 20 years and that DADT needs to be repealed immediately.
His staff said he had not yet decided if he would filibuster or not. The calls may well make a huge difference.
for the latest Week In Letters...
by angelajean on Tue Sep 21, 2010 at 10:07:21 AM PDT
This comment should be put in an update (8+ / 0-)
Recommended by:
tnichlsn, tiponeill, cloudbustingkid, Predictor, Kalex, sherijr, StepLeftStepForward, VA05Liberal
His staff said he had not yet decided if he would filibuster or not. The calls may well make a huge difference.
Webb (202)224-4024
"Toleration is the greatest gift of the mind; it requires the same effort of the brain that it takes to balance oneself on a bicycle." -Helen Keller
by ridemybike on Tue Sep 21, 2010 at 10:20:46 AM PDT