Rachel Maddow calls out Log Cabin Republicans on their Foolishness

Rep. Patrick Murphy talks about Obama's role in ending DADT

In an interview with Washington Blade, Rep. Patrick Murphy spoke about DADT, the study and the role the Obama Administration will play in ending this foolish law.

Here's some of the interview:

Blade: Do you think President Obama has been engaged in getting the Senate to move forward with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal in lame duck?
Murphy: Um, uh, yes.

Blade: What evidence do you see of him doing that?
Murphy:  Well, I think there’s different levels of engagement and, I think, once the report comes out, I think we’ll see the full spectrum of that engagement.

Blade: During a recent press conference, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs didn’t identify “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal as among the legislative items the president wants to see in lame duck. Is that of concern to you?
Murphy: I think they were waiting for the report to come out. The report is days away from coming out officially — and not just excerpts of it that we’ve all read.

Blade: Is there anything more right now that the president could be doing to get the Senate to move forward with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal?
Murphy: I think once the report comes out we’ll see the full spectrum of engagement from — and the appropriate amount of engagement from the White House once that report comes out from his own Department of Defense.

Blade: Do you think Defense Secretary Robert Gates right now is being engaged in getting the Senate to move forward with the defense authorization with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal?
Murphy: I look forward to Gen. [Carter] Ham’s testimony on Thursday.

Blade: But do you think Secretary Gates is engaged?
Murphy: I look forward to Gen. Ham’s testimony on Thursday.

Blade: Do you think that this process — having a year-long study to examine “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” — was the appropriate way to address the issue? Do you think it jeopardized legislative efforts for repeal by leaving only a small window open for action in lame duck?
Murphy: Well, I think the premise behind the study was that — how we’re going to implement “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” [repeal], not if we’re going to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” So, I think it’s interesting — to read that report and how we’re going to implement it.

But the reality of this is I think that we have time to act. We all serve until Jan. 3, and we need to get out there.

Please go the WB for more

My Take of the Midterm Elections

So things are slowing down from the drama of last night. The GOP have the House and the DEMS held on to the Senate. But I wanted to share my take of things, please feel free to share as well:

• The losses were not as bad as many thought they would be. Many of the seats were picked up in places where they were expected to, such as Kentucky, Florida and Minnesota.
• This will make the Obama administration tougher and stronger in their fight to make change.
• The Tea Party winners are inexperienced and it will show in the next two years. They will learn that their agenda will not be on the forefront.
• The Exit Polls shows that young people didn't come out, but folks without college degrees, White males and seniors made a hit at the voting booths. see here
• I really believe that some voters put race/racism ahead of their own interest. The Tea Party movement basically voted against their own interest because of Obama.
• The Exit Polls did not speak about LGBT community, so the LGBT anger party didn't make a big appearance last night.
• We hit it big in California, thanks to a large turn out of Latino voters.
• The Black vote was down for midterms.
• The lack of understanding of the stimulus plan and health care, drove folks to the booths.
• The Tea Party major players loss, but the smaller ones won. Is that a good thing or something to look out for.
• We loss 2 strong fighters, Alan Grayson in FL and Patrick Murphy.
• The Progressive movement has been challenged and I'm not sure what's in store.
• In an interesting turn of events more minorities in the GOP won seats and more LGBT peeps won seats as well.
• And finally, I think we will see the Obama we voted for.

Rep. Patrick Murphy loses Seat

We lost a strong LGBT fighter. Patrick Murphy lost his seat to Michael Fitzpatrick, who actually held the seat before.

Patrick fought for the repeal of DADT. His efforts won't be in vain.

Thank you, Patrick for all the work you have done.

Highlights from the House vote on DADT

Rachel Maddow talks to Rep. Patrick Murphy about the DADT Compromise

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Want to Talk to Rep. Patrick Murphy about DADT? Now you can.

I found this bit of info from Metro Weekly. If you want to chat with Rep. Patrick Murphy about DADT, he will be available today:

Taking to the netroots today to spread the word about his repeal efforts, Murphy will be taking questions from supporters of repeal later today in an online chat. At the Facebook event, he wrote, ''Please join me tomorrow, May 5, 2010 at 2 pm for a live blog chat on DailyKos.com to discuss the recent developments on my fight to repeal the military's Don't Ask Don't Tell policy.''

If you can, chat with him and show your support.

Another Interesting Quote: Rep. Patrick Murphy

Yes, I do. That’s my job — to make sure that we repeal this policy. After my three years in Washington, I think when folks tell you to walk away, that’s usually a sign that you’re getting close. So we have to keep working, people need to call their members of Congress, their senators. Obviously, the letter was a setback, but I know we’re on the right side of history here and we’re going to keep fighting till we get this done this year.

Patrick answering the question about getting DADT repealed this year.

Scenes from the HRC's DADT Press Conference

HRC President Joe Somonese


Rep. Patrick Murphy


US Army Veteran Jarrod Chlapowski

Rachel Maddow talks to Rep. Patrick Murphy about the DADT Review

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

What was said at the special order hour on DADT

From the great to the ridic...here are some speeches






That fool is crazy!

New movement on DADT and other Gay things

Now we have some new movement in our quest for civil rights and others things political.

• Ohio state house passed a bill to protect LGBT people from discrimination in employment and housing yesterday.

• Rep. Patrick Murphy said he expects the House to hold hearings on a bill to repeal DADT in winter or spring of 2010. Yes, these things take time, folks.

• Bill Clinton has given early support to Gavin Newsom for California governor.
  

Interesting Quote: Patrick Murphy

"This policy is going to be repealed in a short matter of time. As for service members who are being discharged because of their sexuality. If they can hold on, help is on the way. And help is going to come form the Congress and be signed into law by the president."

and...

"President Obama has clearly said he wants to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell. He has instructed as Commander in Chief his Secretary of Defense and chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff to be prepare to implement the policy but he has respect for the legislative branch, a co-equal branch, and said, 'Guys, I want a bill on my desk. And when it comes on my desk I'm going to sign it to repeal this.'"

source

Interesting Quote: Patrick Murphy

I think that this is a really tough issue and there have been a lot of calls for the President to do this. I know I mentioned it before, but the President -- to his credit -- seems not to want to ignore standing law that was passed by the Congress.

We had a saying at West Point "Take the harder right over the easier wrong." The President doesn't want to clearly contradict US law, even though I feel that this law is fundamentally wrong and discriminatory. It shows why Congress needs to change it. We've gotten 16 congressmen and women in the first week to come on board, but we're not stopping until we get the job done. In fact, we just got an additional cosponsor today -- so we're up to 162.

Patrick defending Obama about repealing DADT during an AMERICAblog live chat.

Source

Rep. Patrick Murphy is making it happen on the DADT repeal

Rep. Patrick Murphy is doing it and doing it well. He took the lead Monday night, by becoming the lead sponsor on the DADT repeal bill. known as the Military Readiness Enhancement Act.

He has also created a new website, LetThemServe.com, for everyone to talk about the policy and get updates on the repeal process.

It's really astounding to hear about this man and work he's doing. Please read more about Patrick here