Vice-President Joe Biden To Senator Kyl: “I Hope I Don’t Get In The Way Of Your Christmas Shopping, But This Is The Nation’s Business”
The START treaty is more important than Senator Kyl getting back home to put lumps of coal in Christmas stockings. That he and a few other conservative senators seem unable, or unwilling to understand this fact is truly frustrating.
Of the two issues that I want to see favorable action on in this lame duck session of Congress START is Number One. While I think the repeal of DADT is also essential for a number of reasons, passage of the START treaty is extremely important.
An interview with Vice-President Joe Biden had this point-on message regarding START and the antics of those like Kyl.
“Senator Kyl is opposed to the treaty. He is flat opposed to
the treaty. So is Senator DeMint opposed to the treaty. Do not let –
do not stand in the way of the nation’s best interests. Let the Senate
vote. Overwhelming, the American people support the START Treaty.
Overwhelmingly, the United States Senate supports the START Treaty.
It’s clearly in our national interests. Every former national security
adviser, secretary of Defense, the secretary of State on the Republican
Party from George Shultz to Colin Powell thinks it’s essential we pass
this treaty. Get out of the way. There’s too much at stake for
America’s national security. And don’t tell me about Christmas. I
understand Christmas. I have been a senator for a long time. I’ve been
there many years where we go right up to Christmas.
There’s 10 days between now and Christmas. I hope I don’t get in the
way of your Christmas shopping, but this is the nation’s business. This
is the national security that’s at stake. Act. Act.”
Congrats! The Senate just passed the repeal of DADT. This [probably won’t destroy what little credibility we have with those open minded Afghani tribal “allies” we’re trying to cultivate.
If Farouk Al Wazzuzi finds out that the U.S. field liaison officer he’s breaking bread with is gay, we can always send in a hetero replacement. Oh well, maybe it doesn’t matter since this war is lost anyway….cheers;^)
When I spoke to groups about the need for the repeal of DADT, and what they needed to do to make it happen, I always reminded them of a man who was instrumental in making sure there was even a place called America. Wilhelm von Steuben had a keen military mind. He worked alongside patriots to insure that we won the Revolutionary War. That General von Steuben was gay was not an issue then, and it should not be an issue today. All these uptight members of the military today (including marines scared of showering) who are homophobic need to be reminded one of the reasons we have a nation called America is due to a gay man in the military!
Former conservative senator and president nominee Barry Goldwater very well could have been speaking of von Steuben, or any other gay member of the military, when stating the only thing that matters is if the person in the armed forces can shoot straight.
The reason repeal of DADT should be a priority today is the same reason it should have been a priority yesterday. Civil rights delayed by a single day in unconscionable. As a gay American I am embarrassed by this policy. As one who has donated money for the past 17 years to see this policy removed, and been active to see it repealed, I am very eager for the vote today.
As for those who cannot abide the change there is only one thing to say. The tail should not wag the dog. There were those who could not deal with blacks in the armed forces after President Truman made his move, and they just had to move on. Society spoke then about fairness and equality and it is speaking today about gay rights. In fact, gay rights are moving forward on a whole series of fronts.
America is going to join the rest of the modern world in regards to gay men and women in the military.
Regardless of bipartisan support and 18 reviews, the treaty can wait just a little while longer…one or two little details may have to be tweaked. No harm in that is there? Why the rush?
Thanks for setting me “straight” on gay aesthetics. My concern was with the marine who can’t get over himself. It’s a question of morale and unit cohesion, that’s all. Again, why the hurry to get this done before the new congress and senate are sworn in? Why the rush?
Does Vincent not know that Israel allows gays in the military? Are we to think that Israel is not battle ready?
Vincent,
Your history of the treaty is flawed. There was and still is bi-partisan agreement on this treaty in the Senate. The past votes prove that case. That there have been over 18 hearings on this treaty also undercuts any talk of needing to review the treaty.
As to DADT I can assure you that gay men are quite discrimating when it comes to being turned on. Just because a guy is naked and showering does not make him sexy. I think the marine you have in mind might want to get over himself.
I thought Joe was at his best here. I am so tired of all this ridiculous “war on Christmas” crap that keeps getting dragged out every year to justify GOP agendas.
Ronald Reagan walked out on Gorbachev in Reykjavik when the Soviet Union wanted us to dismantle our missile defense in order to get an agreement; Obama says “where do I sign?” I think we can wait until January to review this treaty when the lame ducks will have all flown south. A who gives a damn what George Schultz and Colin Powell think? I want anything this community organizing president negotiates gone over with a fine tooth comb.
Repealing DADT is a national priority?! I don’t think so boss – it’s Obama’s priority and it can wait until we’re out of Afghanistan and Iraq. Just what we need in the middle of two wars – a little social engineering just so a combat hardened marine can know who he’s making hard in the showers.
deck the halls with upset politicians, fa-la-la-la-la
Since tactical nuclear weapons are most likely to be used first in a conflict, and since New Start limits our strategic defense initiaves, the senate should reject the treaty. Iran, Pakistan, North Korea, and India pose a much greater threat.