DADT, DREAM Act to get Votes During Lame Duck

DADT, DREAM Act to get Votes During Lame Duck. It's now the Lame Duck session of Congress, and Harry Reid has promised that DADT (Don't Ask Don't Tell" and the DREAM Act are going to get votes before the Senate heads home for the holidays.

Tensions on Capital Hill are high, and there are threats that Congress will have to work the weekend to get their agenda pushed through before the new politicians take office.

The unemployment extensions were brought to the House floor, where the resolution was met with resistance and failed to get a 2/3 majority.

As far as DADT goes, Harry Reid says "Our Defense Department supports repealing 'Don't ask, don't tell' as a way to build our all-volunteer armed forces. We need to repeal this discriminatory policy so that any American who wants to defend our country can do so."

The DREAM Act is controversial as well, as it gives amnesty to certain illegal immigrants. Reid Said "If there is a bipartisan bill that makes sense for our country economically, from a national security perspective and one that reflects American values, it is the DREAM Act, Last time we sought to bring up this bill, all Republicans blocked our effort, even though many have been supporters of the DREAM Act in the past. I hope that our Republican colleagues will join me, Sen. Durbin and Democrats in passing this important piece of legislation, now that we have a stand-alone version and that the political season is over."

Do you think that DADT and Dream Act should be on the Lame Duck Agenda, or are Tax Cuts and unemployment extensions more important?

Don't Ask Don't Tell 2010 Back [DADT]

Don't Ask Don't Tell 2010 is back, (DADT) while the battle for gay rights in the military continues. Previously, the 17 year old law put in place by Bill Clinton by executive order was thrown out by a federal judge who ruled it "unconstitutional."

However, the Obama administration wants Congress, and not the courts, to throw the law out. Perhaps this would allow them to put a big victory in their back pocket.

DADT was thrown out for a day when a three judge panel ordered an injunction on the order. The courts could still issue another stay, but right now the DADT policy is modified.

Only five people within the military can fire someone under the policy. The Army, Navy, and Air Force secretaries much speak with the Military's top attorney and the undersecretary of defense for personnel.

Below is a video update about Don't Ask Don't Tell.

Don't Ask Don't Tell 2010 Court Injunction DADT

The 2010 Don't Ask Don't Tell policy vote was brought to the floor before the Senate left to campaigm, and there were not enough votes to end or avoid GOP filibuster of the legislation. Don't Ask Don't Tell and the DREAM Act were two highly controversial items that were buried in the Defense Spending Bill.

The GOP is not against repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell. In fact, many agree it's the right thing to do. However, the measure is buried inside a huge bill, and the Republicans want a chance to review the bill, propose amendments, and discuss and debate before it goes to a vote.

Senator Susan Collins of Maine indicated her stance on the matter, and basically she said she's for repealing Bill Clinton's 1993 executive order. However, in good faith she can't just sign off on a bill when she doesn't think a fair, unbiased bipartisanship was followed.

Don't Ask Don't Tell doesn't allow gays to serve openly in the military. However, there's great news now as the Don't Ask Don't tell ban has been lifted after a judge signed an order.  This ends the 17 year old highly questionable DADT bill.

Witt Verdict 2010 Against Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy

The 2010 Witt Verdict contradicts the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy that has been part of military law since 1993 when an executive order was signed by Bill Clinton. For the past 17 years, homosexuals could not serve openly in the military. Any discussion of sexual preference could get you kicked out of the military.

It comes then as a big shocker that the Witt Verdict held the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy to be unconstitutional, and as such a lesbian was ordered to be reinstated to her job.

Witt was discharged from the Air Force in 2004 after it came to light that she was in a long-term relationship with a civilian woman. Witt was a highly decorated officer, and sued to get her job back.

Backed by an attorney and the ACLU, Witt's case has become the second ruling that indicates that DADT is unconstitutional.

The timing of the Witt verdict couldn't come at a better time. A GOP filibuster of the Defense Authorization bill blocked a critical repeal of the DADT policy. Many Americans are for the repeal of the controversial law, which would allow people to serve in the military and be openly gay as well.

Witt will be able to return to her position, as long as an appeal is not filed in the case.

Don't Ask Don't Tell Policy Vote 2010 and Cloture, Filibuster Updates

The 2010 Don't Ask Don't Tell policy vote was brought to the floor on Tuesday, and the Senate did not have enough votes to avoid a GOP filibuster of the legislation. Don't Ask Don't Tell and the DREAM Act were two highly controversial items that were buried in the Defense Spending Bill.

The GOP is not against repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell. In fact, many agree it's the right thing to do. However, the measure is buried inside a huge bill, and the Republicans want a chance to review the bill, propose amendments, and discuss and debate before it goes to a vote.

Senator Susan Collins of Maine indicated her stance on the matter, and basically she said she's for repealing Bill Clinton's 1993 executive order. However, in good faith she can't just sign off on a bill when she doesn't think a fair, unbiased bipartisanship was followed.

Don't Ask Don't Tell doesn't allow gays to serve openly in the military.

Lady Gaga Attending Anti-Don't Ask Don't Tell Rally in Maine (DADT)

Lady Gaga is attending an Anti- "Don't Ask Don't Tell" rally in Maine, and the announcement is made about a week after she graced the Video Music Awards wearing a raw meat dress, which was meant as a statement against the controversial military policy signed into law via an Executive Order by Bill Clinton in 1993.

A video of Gaga explaining her dress to lesbian talk show host Ellen Degeneres can be found here.

The DADT policy prohibits gays from serving in uniform. Officers are not allowed to inquire as to what someone's sexual orientation is, but troops aren't allowed to come out and say they are gay, either.

Harry Reid is filing for a cloture on a measure that would pass the Defense Spending Bill, and the bill also includes language that would repeal the 1993 law. The Senate Majority Leader still lacks the 60 votes he needs to obtain a cloture, but it's still a good start.

Lady Gaga stands up for what she believes in. She's non-judgmental and pretty much "anything goes" with the self-proclaimed "shock artist."

Lady Gaga will be in Maine at the Anti Don't Ask Don't Tell rally later on today.