The Postmodernist

What does our defense budget have in common with the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”? The paper on which its written, and the fact that one might be vetoed thanks to the other. The legislation to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is actually an amendment of H.R. 5136, a defense appropriations bill.

The fact is, this isn’t the most convoluted way one might introduce progressive legislation to Congress. But nonetheless, who knows when this will get around to passing the Senate. The President can promise repeal by the end of the year all he wants, but US Code is regulated by Congress. They hold the key to repealing DADT.

Someone remind me, how many years have we been talking about this? Our government must be the slowest on Earth. Our military can’t even stay ahead of fortune 100 companies. According to The State of the Workplace published by the Human Rights Campaign, even in 2008 a staggering 94% of fortune 100 companies had implemented sexual discrimination policies protecting GLBT employees.

Final thought: Many stories are surfacing about soldiers standing behind their outed GLBT peers. However, there are some not-so-friendly responses, as Skyler James can tell you. Our military personnel put their lives at risk to protect our country. At the very least, don’t they deserve the same protection any other employer would offer?