It Ain't No Way

by Shaker Maud, who is currently contemplating whether to become a contributor, or remain Shakesville's world champion guest poster.

There has been a lot of talk about the possibility of repealing the Don't Ask Don't Tell law, which punishes lesbians and gays in the military not only for being themselves but for being outed by anyone wishing to harm them, through including the repeal in this year's Defense Reauthorization bill.

Rachel Maddow reported last night that House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-noMO) said Wednesday that's not going to happen. Rep. Skelton says he and the Committee's ranking Republican, Howard McKeon, have "agreed to support (Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) Admiral Mullen and (Defense) Secretary Gates' request for time to study this issue". The Pentagon is studying how to implement the end of the policy.

That study is scheduled to continue until December; the Defense Authorization bill would take effect October 1.

Skelton was one of the authors of DADT and has opposed its repeal. But, pride of authorship aside, Rep. Skelton is perhaps just heeding the constant exhortation to "think of the children", and following the prudent example set by young Zachary Preenworthy, who has taken the following official position:

Mother, Father - it is my earnest intention to cease my regrettable habit of neglecting to do my homework in favor of spending all my time following the twitter feeds of random people I do not know. I will, however, need the rest of the year to study the best method of implementing this plan. I know others have committed themselves to this course of action without fuss, notably my fellow students in Canada, Belgium, the UK and more than 30 countries around the world. But you have always encouraged me to see myself as exceptional, and I feel it would be irresponsible of me to rush into such a radical shift in policy without carefully preparing the way, lest celebrities like Justin Bieber misunderstand my action and unnecessarily alarm their fans.

Rep. Skelton is taking a similarly self-interested studious approach to allowing military women to receive credit for combat assignments. Female service members in Iraq and Afghanistan are risking death and injury just as their male counterparts are, but because they are officially not eligible for "combat assignments", their service records do not reflect that and they do not receive the same credit toward promotion. Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) introduced an amendment to correct this discriminatory policy. Rep. Skelton, however, yesterday pushed through alternate legislation requiring the Dept. of Defense to "write a report on the implications of such a change."

You may risk, ladies, and you may die. But we must ponder at length the implications of recognizing and rewarding your doing so.

Gosh, it's no wonder that not everyone is feeling the exhilaration about keeping company with the Dem-Dems that once they may have.

Teh Gays have written an open letter to the Democratic Party, to be delivered by the Courage Campaign and CREDO Action. They're feeling unfullfilled in their relationship:

For the longest time, I thought we had something special. Remember how much fun we used to have back when we were young, and control of the Congress and the presidency was just a crazy dream? You always used to ask me for help, and you knew I'd never turn you down.

You were so adorable when we were courting. Sure, you never really understood me, but I liked that you seemed to try. The White House cocktail parties were totally fun, and that Easter Egg Roll is something I'll always cherish. Or remember the time you let me march in the Inaugural parade! Other than that whole Rick Warren thing, I really thought we had a connection.

I know you kept telling me that you weren't ready for marriage, but I was willing to wait since you had promised so much else in the meantime.

But now, I've kind of had it. I'm just not getting what I need out of this relationship. You rarely call me anymore, and when you do it's to ask for money. We talked about joining the military together -- but now it seems like you are flaking on that commitment. You promised to protect me from the homophobes at work, but you don't seem to be in a hurry to actually do it. And that Department of Justice brief thing was just cruel. I'll never understand why you did that.

It almost seems like you're embarrassed by me in public. I know not everyone in your family approves of us, but before you got your new job, it seemed like you didn't care what they thought and were always ready to fight for me. Now, it's like you're a different person. . . . I still worry every day that I can be fired in 29 states just because I'm gay. And my friend who is transgender can be fired in 38 states.

They really, really need to feel some love, in the form of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell. If you do, too, you can read the rest of the letter and sign it here.

P.S. - Ms. Aretha explains it to you another way.