Seventy-seven members of Congress, 76 Democrats and 1 Republican, sent a letter to the White House today asking for the President to suspend current Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell investigations and discharges by presidential moratorium, which would change the policy’s implementation within the Department of Defense, as opposed to an Executive Order. Excerpts from the office of Congressman Alcee L. Hastings:

… Although we are confident that you will remain true to your campaign promise to end Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, our LGBT service members and our country’s national security will continue to suffer if initial action is delayed until 2010 or 2011. We urge you to exercise the maximum discretion legally possible in administering Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell until Congress repeals the law. To this end, we ask that you direct the Armed Services not to initiate any investigation of service personnel to determine their sexual orientation, and that you instruct them to disregard third party accusations that do not allege violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.  That is, we request that you impose that no one is asked and that you ignore, as the law requires, third parties who tell. Under your leadership, Congress must then repeal and replace Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell with a policy of inclusion and non-discrimination. This bilateral strategy would allow our openly gay and lesbian service members to continue serving our country and demonstrate our nation’s lasting commitment to justice and equality for all.

…

The American people and service members of the Armed Forces overwhelmingly support the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. According to a national Gallup poll conducted in May 2009, 69% of Americans, including 58% of Republicans, favor allowing openly gay men and lesbian women to serve in the military. Furthermore, a 2006 poll of 545 troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan by Zogby International and the Michael D. Palm Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara, revealed that 73% are personally comfortable with gay men and lesbian women. John Shalikashvili, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Clinton administration, and more than 100 retired admirals and generals support this repeal, in addition to the Human Rights Campaign, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, and Knights Out, an organization of LGBT West Point alumni cofounded by First Lieutenant Choi.

Mr. President, we cannot afford to lose any more of our dedicated and talented service members to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. On behalf of First Lieutenant Choi, Lieutenant Colonel Fehrenbach, and the more than 12,500 gay and lesbian service members who have been discharged since Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was implemented in 1994, we stand ready to assist you in repealing this dishonorable and debilitating law as soon as possible, and in restoring justice and equality in our Armed Forces.

The lone Republican who signed the letter was Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and should be applauded. I am disappointed however that local representatives Jackie Speier and House leader Nancy Pelosi failed to sign, but at least the always reliable Barbara Lee of Berkeley did not disappoint. A complete list by rank below:

If your representative does not appear on the list above, please contact them and ask them why they failed to sign the letter and urge them to support the repeal of DADT. I’ll be contacting Rep. Jackie Speier today.

In what many consider the liberal capital of the United States, 400 plus individuals gathered to protest increased taxation and government spending at San Francisco City Hall and outside House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office. While the Tea Party movement proclaims to be party agnostic, the anti-Obama sentiment was palpable. If BOTH parties got us into this mess, as they purport, where were the anti-Republican signs and speeches?

The crowd was made up primarily of  white males, definitely skewing older, with white women a distance second. People of color were rare and hard to find. There were the typical memes about the inexorable march toward socialism, the ills of more government and  Obama’s administration taxing us all to the grave. There was also a subtle current of militancy (perhaps it was the Ron Paul supporters mingled in with the crowd) with cries for revolution, particularly among the middle-aged and younger. Those who were older perhaps more interested in holding on to their money than “taking the country back.”

There was also a notable lack of tea, despite the movement’s name. Probably for the best. The original meaning and motives behind the original Boston Tea Party have been lost in today’s events, which have been co-opted by special interest, Fox News and oddly enough, a host of Republicans.  The original Boston Tea Party wasn’t about raising taxes, in fact the Tea Act of 1773 lowered taxes. Instead, colonists objected because they believed it violated their constitutional right to be taxed only by their own elected representatives. It had nothing to do with raising taxes. It had nothing to do with overspending.

But today’s events did present a wonderful opportunity to discuss ideas and solutions that might address our economic plight, but such discussions were woefully absent, constructive debate replaced with whining and complaining. The only solution gently hinted at was to take the country back by way of revolution.

And as for the teabaggery, thankfully there was none. At least not in the literal since. Which is a very good thing indeed.

Additional photos from the protest and a video below…

Previous liveblog from earlier today…

9:15:00 AM: Live blogging will begin at 11am PST at San Francisco city hall of Tea Bag Protest.

10:36:19 AM: Enroute to SF civic center if this bum hamstring doesn’t get me first.

10:49:45 AM: No teabaggers on train. Odd.

10:55:24 AM: Looks like maybe 200 people.

11:00:36 AM: Older mostly white male crowd.

11:06:19 AM: Just said the pledge of allegiance. Are you kidding?

11:06:19 AM: Just said the pledge of allegiance. Are you kidding?

11:07:52 AM: Typical. Government source of ills. Marxist take over.

11:13:20 AM: Chanting “no you can’t.”

11:13:48 AM: Organizer not very well organized.

11:20:35 AM: Partying like it’s 1776.

11:20:55 AM: Booing gavin newsome

11:22:14 AM: Getting ready to march.

11:26:51 AM: Marching to Pelosi’s office

11:38:59 AM: Not a lot of tea.

11:40:23 AM: 350-400 protestors would be my guess.

11:41:41 AM: No one can hear the speaker. Much complaining. People want to “stir” things up.

11:42:24 AM: Again I ask where is the tea?

11:40:23 AM: 350-400 protestors would be my guess.

11:41:41 AM: No one can hear the speaker. Much complaining. People want to “stir” things up.

11:42:24 AM: Again I ask where is the tea?

11:48:00 AM: Just sang the star spangled banner. Looking for people of color.

11:48:45 AM: 1,2,3,4. That’s all I can see.

11:49:42 AM: Lots of singing… Intolerance masked by patriotism.

11:50:55 AM: Now the dumb chants. People starting to leave.

11:51:33 AM: McCain palin campaign person speaking.

11:52:34 AM: 14 year old speaking. Sad.

11:54:26 AM: Save the children!

11:55:05 AM: Speaker spreading the same tax lies.

11:57:43 AM: “US best country in the history of the world” lots of Reagan praise.

11:58:18 AM: Here comes the militant Ron Paul supporter.

11:59:40 AM: Disgusted German socialist now speaking. First generation American. Quoting aynn rand.

12:02:29 PM: Some people seem bored. Not militant enough. Lots of anti-pelosi sentiment.

12:02:29 PM: Some people seem bored. Not militant enough. Lots of anti-pelosi sentiment.

12:03:46 PM: Police state meme… Here we go.

12:05:30 PM: Here we go. It’s god.

12:10:54 PM: Here comes the anti-Obama tirade. Angry lady.

12:13:44 PM: Well. No new ideas . Sean Steele now speaking. “this is how revolutions start”

12:16:01 PM: “out with nancy” chants. okay I’m done. Signing off

12:23:33 PM: Final obsevation. Then will give my twitter friends a break. There was no counter protest. No opposing voices. Would have been interesting.

UPDATE: I have edited out part of my statement regarding the 14-year-old who spoke at the rally due to their age and not to cause any additional distress. Thus is the danger of twittering and trying to communicate gut reactions in a time-sensitive way. What does concern me is when young people are used as pawns to make political points. I am not saying that was the case here, but there is plenty of precedent for it.

8:46:47 AM: Illinois hate group releases anti-gay video attacking “Day of Silence” http://bit.ly/10mlUC

8:47:41 AM: Tea Party paranoia in Cleveland http://bit.ly/PFN8I

9:16:22 AM: Vatican to investigate US Catholic Sisters for not being “homophobic” enough http://tr.im/j3Bi

9:17:38 AM: NY Senator Diaz calls marriage equality an insult to people of faith http://tr.im/j3BI

11:47:07 AM: “Gathering Storm” a turning point in the demise of the anti-gay movement? http://tr.im/jb5N

12:50:27 PM: Catholic Archbishop approves of gays as priests… in the Philippines http://tr.im/jbg1

1:38:37 PM: Recs for #samsexsunday @tlrd @lezzymom @seasonsofpride @greghernandez @edgesanfran @bipolarturtle @pam_spaulding

2:02:43 PM: @mnrmg I love Dolly! Saw her in concert last year…

2:11:51 PM: @mnrmg hope her broadway show 9 to 5 does well.

10:35:17 PM: On no Miss California didn’t! http://tr.im/jcJJ

11:54:39 PM: Earth Day is about saving this pale blue dot we call home… http://tr.im/jujL

2:23:01 PM: Hate crimes bill passes House Judiciary, next stop House floor http://tr.im/jyhk

2:25:54 PM: For binational lesbian couple, deportation delayed indefinitely https://inlookout.com/2009/04/23/for-binational-lesbian-couple-deport …

11:26:09 AM: Just added myself to the http://wefollow.com twitter directory under: #gay #lgbt #blogger

4:30:25 PM: Al Gore rails against allegations of profiting from global warming crisis https://inlookout.com/?p=2574

4:31:07 PM: Live coverage of San Francisco Tea Party Protest 11am PST https://inlookout.com/?p=2319

4:34:26 PM: Sorry.. crazy blog plugin tweeting old posts… 🙁

5:32:43 PM: Obama at U.S. Holocaust Museum: “Intolerance, racism, homophobia… diminishes us all” https://inlookout.com/?p=2595

8:08:06 PM: Linguists discharged under DADT could have translated 9/11 warning https://inlookout.com/?p=2615

2:00:21 AM: New documentary OUTRAGE exposes hypocrisy of closeted politicians (trailer) http://tinyurl.com/cmlfve

2:06:25 PM: Bea Arthur passes away at 86 http://tr.im/jHTi

12:45:11 AM: Does 34 nails shot into the head qualify as a hate crime? You think?
http://tinyurl.com/cf8tsf

12:19:17 PM: Gay couples begin tying the knot in Iowa today
http://tinyurl.com/d8fdyp

2:25:18 PM: A pandemic by any other name? Swine Flu spreads quickly across globe. http://tr.im/jRbV

7:18:32 AM: Miss California’s the Rock Church links “pedophilia to gay lifestyle” http://tr.im/jUWQ

11:54:37 AM: michael savage

11:55:37 AM: typing the wrong thing in the wrong box. don’t you hate that?!

12:05:24 PM: gay marriage

1:10:59 PM: Maine’s gay marriage bill passes judiciary, moves on to the Senate | Inside, Looking Out #gay http://ow.ly/4hFJ

1:58:38 PM: Hate Crimes bill passes House of Representatives #gay #lgbt http://ow.ly/4rsN

5:10:37 PM: Closing the border with Mexico is such a dumbass question. Is she listening to Michael Savage?

5:18:27 PM: Obama reads articles… nice to have someone who reads too…

6:17:02 PM: Michelle Bachmann vs. Barney Frank on Hate Crimes legislation #FightHateNow #LGBT #GAY http://tr.im/k48G

7:45:38 PM: Rep. Virginia Foxx backtracks, but does not apologize for “hoax” remark #LGBT #GAY http://tr.im/k4mE

9:52:19 AM: Maine Senate votes for gay marriage #LGBT #GAY http://ow.ly/4yZm

2:04:42 PM: It’s official. Carrie Prejean is the new Anita Bryant. #LGBT #GAY http://ow.ly/4Bfc

3:16:07 PM: Congressman Boehner puts out slick hit piece on Obama http://ow.ly/4BQT

3:39:06 PM: Amazing new marriage equality video from Courage Campaign #GAY #LGBT http://ow.ly/4C2D

7:24:33 PM: Judy Shepard responds to Virginia Foxx’s comment on Rachel Maddow #GAY #LGBT http://ow.ly/4Dob

8:56:06 PM: is it me or is the twitterverse quiet tonight… is everyone watching Ugly Betty but me?

10:23:15 AM: NOM Executive Director Brian Brown gets frustrated defending new ad #GAY #LGBT http://ow.ly/4IFf

11:19:11 AM: Happy Friday! @davidbadash @jefframone @kmarysmith @2m4m @couragecampaign @imeq @out4immigration @lgbttweets @brappy #FollowFriday

3:40:42 PM: Virginia Foxx attempts apology number two for hoax comment… and fails #LGBT #GAY http://ow.ly/4Lhk

5:35:53 PM: Kentucky high school Principal refuses gay students access to restroom during class #GAY #LGBT http://ow.ly/4LWB

7:31:39 PM: Maggie Gallagher defends new NOM ad on Larry King tonight #GAY #LGBT http://ow.ly/4MAg

9:26:34 AM: Heading out to a Jackie Speier townhall here in SF.. Wish me luck that I get a question on UAFA in…

6:12:37 PM: Parody of NOM’s “No Offense” ad with Carrie Prejean goes for the JUGular! #GAY #LGBT http://ow.ly/4SrC

9:39:40 PM: CNN Reports on new film Outrage which outs closeted gay politicians #GAY #LGBT http://ow.ly/4Tf7

Well it’s been a while but it’s nice to see a changing of the guard in the halls of Congress. For the first time in 12 years we have a Democratic majority, and here’s hoping that some much needed oversight will stop certain individuals from running roughshod over the Constitution, and the will of the people.

Also of note we have the first woman Speaker of the House, Congress woman Nancy Pelosi from the fine state of California and the even finer district of San Francisco. You go girl!

But I know many of you are fed up with our government, every politician a crook or worse, and feel the change in leadership will have no impact, no negligible effect. I ask them to keep in open mind, hold out a little hope. We’ve had six plus years of unilateral control, in an environment suppressive of alternate ideas. Now the Democrats have the majority, and a voice, and a tremendous opportunity to do some good. But despite their best efforts or good intentions, much of that could quickly be crushed by the weight of the Iraq war. Or if they buckle beneath the business-as-usual attitude, the results will be the same.

But I’m hopeful. Change is good. Anything is better then what we have now, and I think many would agree. But what will it take to make our country a better and safer place? Here are the issues I would like to see addressed with meaningful progress made or even laws passed (in no particular order):

• Immigration Reform
• Stem Cell Funding
• Job Outsourcing
• Lobby Reform
• Minimum Wage
• Climate Change
• 9/11 Commission Recommendations
• ISG Recommendations
• Prescription Drug Reform
• Healthcare Reform
• Manhattan-Style Project for Alternative Fuels
• Balanced Budget

It’s a long and meaty list, but it’s hardly complete. I’d like to hear what you think they should focus on. You’ll notice I left off gay marriage and impeachment off the list.

Gay marriage would be great, but won’t contribute to the survival of this nation, and nor do I think the electorate is ready to have it crammed down their throats. I think the gay marriage debate came too early and set it back — civil unions with equal rights first, and then gay marriage. But that’s just me.

As for impeachment, as much as I yearn for it, its all-consuming nature would lay waste to many of the issues that need to be addressed. We’ve been dug a pretty deep hole, do we need to dig any further? But if initial investigations reveal the tastiest of fruit and the will of the people demand it? Who am I to argue?

But let me be the first to say this. If little or no progress is made on any of these fronts, then they all need to be thrown out, every single one of them, by force if necessary. Like the Beatles said, sometimes you need a Revolution. Do you think I’m kidding?

Anyways, look for more changes soon! New design and more posts over the next few weeks so stay tuned!