Tell Virginia's Senators - End “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” THIS YEAR!

As most readers know, repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell is very high on the legislative items that I personally want to see accomplished THIS YEAR. Living in Hampton Roads with its huge closeted military service member population, I see the damage this religious based policy of discrimination inflicts daily both in terms of friends in the military and in terms of clients who are service members yet treated like vermin by this bigoted policy. A bastardized measure to repeal DADT has passed the House of Representatives and the main obstacle to passage is the U.S. Senate - with Virginia's Senators Jim Webb and to a lesser extent Mark Warner posing a portion of that obstacle. Given this reality, I was contacted today by Alex Nicholson, Executive Director of Servicemembers United and asked to help promote that organization's effort to bring Senators Webb and Warner into line to support the DADT repeal legislation. To that end, I invite readers to go to the website Webb and Warner.org and sign the petition demanding that they vote for repeal of DADT. It is especially important that Senators Webb and Warner hear from LGBT Virginians who these men claim to represent on this issue. Personally, I've made it VERY clear to Senator Webb's office that this is a do or die issue for me - either Webb votes for DADT repeal or I will not support him for re-election. Moreover, I will actively work against his re-election. As pointed out in the previous post, I support David Mixner's agenda of not support/enabling those Democrats who betray me because in essence they are mealy mouthed cowards. Here are some highlights from WebbandWarner.org:
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The outdated and discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) law has already resulted in the abrupt firing of more than 14,000 capable men and women, as well as the voluntary departure of tens of thousands more. Such a policy violates the integrity of our military and diminishes our nation’s security. An amendment that is currently attached to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would responsibly repeal the DADT law in a way that is completely respectful of the ongoing comprehensive review process. The DADT law must go this year, and Senators Webb and Warner should support the current DADT repeal amendment to NDAA without modification.
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Senators Webb and Warner absolutely need to hear from Virginians about the repeal of the DADT law. Senator Webb, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, voted against the DADT repeal amendment in committee and is likely to vote against it again when NDAA comes to the Senate floor. Although Senator Warner has not committed to final position yet, he is under significant pressure to fall in line with Senator Webb's opposition to repealing DADT this year. Virginia has a large conservative population, even within the Democratic party, that is assumed to oppose repeal, so Senators Webb and Warner need to hear from those who want this outdated law repealed this year.
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Please sign the petition to Senators Webb and Warner here.