I was out enjoying the ski hill this weekend before Christmas, and I imagine you were out enjoying the weekend as well- or doing some last minute Christmas shopping. So you may have missed this.
Both of Montana’s US Senators, Jon Tester and Max Baucus, voted for repeal of DADT (Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell) according to KPAX-TV.
Montana’s U.S. Senators are in agreement when it comes to illegal immigration and repealing the ban on gays serving openly in the military.
On Saturday, the Senate approved a bill that repeals the 17-year-old policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
WSJ lead on DADT:
Proponents of ending the military’s ban on gays serving openly in uniform are cheering a Senate vote Saturday in favor of repealing the policy, known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” But the policy remains in force, and implementation promises more political fights.
For gay-rights advocates who mobilized in support of passage, the Senate vote represented a clear victory.
TESTER ON DADT
“Our nation’s military commanders say the repeal of this policy won’t affect the readiness or effectiveness of our armed forces. Based on that assessment, and my belief that no American should have to lie about who they are to serve our military, I support repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
STEVE DAINES (ANNOUNCED 2012 GOP CANDIDATE) ON DADT:
“The repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” by an unaccountable lame duck session against the will of more than 60% of Marine Corps and Army combat units is simply wrong,” said Daines. “Our combat troops have clearly expressed this repeal would hurt their unit’s ability to fight. It is disappointing Harry Reid, and Jon Tester chose to put payback to their liberal supporters ahead of the legitimate concerns of men and women in combat”
“Montana needs leaders in Washington that will stand by Montana values and with our men and women in combat not with Harry Reid and Obama.”
MY TAKE:
This vote makes it seem as though both of our senators are more interested in fighting a domestic social war, than they are in winning the actual war.