Murphy on Repealing DADT: "Now Is the Time to Make It Happen"

Last night, Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) explained to Rachel Maddow his decision to sponsor legislation to end Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

"It's our job now to act with a sense of urgency to make it happen," he said. He told Maddow that he agrees with President Obama's decision not to suspend the policy in advance of Congress sending him a bill to sign, drawing comparisons to President Bush's unilateral decisions.

He reports having support from his colleagues, but does say some representatives of conservative districts will not co-sponsor the bill even if they've privately assured him they'd vote for it.

As for his reasoning in opposing DADT, this Iraq War vet argues:

"When you're in Baghdad in 138-degree heat like I was exactly six years ago, when you're [looking at] the guys to your left and your right or that young women to your left or your right, the fact is you don't care what their sexual orientation is, you don't care what their race is, their religion is, their creed is—you care if they can fire an assault rife, if they can kick down a door, that's what this is about. And that's why we need to repeal this, because now is the time to make it happen."

Video after the jump...

HRC & Servicemembers United Launch "Voices of Honor" Tour to Repeal DADT

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Servicemembers United announced today a national "Voices of Honor" Tour to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA), a former West Point professor and Iraq War vet, is the lead sponsor of legislation to repeal the unpopular policy that bars LGBT people from serving openly in the United States armed services.

Murphy said, in part:

"Our president, President Barack Obama, has stated that If Congress can get a bill to his desk repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell, he will sign it into law. It is now our job, and my job specifically, to quarterback this through the Congress of the United States to do just that. I can not tell you today how long it's gonna take. All I can tell ya is that paratroopers don't quit, and paratroopers get the job done. To remove  honorable, talented and committed Americans from serving in our military is contrary to the values that our military holds dear."

Video of Murphy's speech after the jump.

"Voices of Honor" will make stops in Philadelphia; Trenton; Virginia Beach; Phoenix; Kansas City, MO; Orlando and Tampa and will feature former Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, the first American soldier injured in Iraq, among others. CNN points out that some of those involved were chosen because they're straight, as outreach to other straight soldiers.

Hildebrand: On Gay Issues, President Obama Will Get 'er Done

Rex Wockner turns in a must-read interview with Steve Hildebrand, who was Barack Obama's openly gay deputy national campaign director.

In it, Hildebrand says the president did not read the offensive DOJ brief before it came out, but "he expects much better from his administration" and "he subsequently has read the brief and was not happy at all with both the direction as well as the language that was used."

Hildebrand has communicated directly with the president on the uproar over that document.

"I told him very clearly that many in the gay community across the country are getting very anxious and that folks have felt very hurt by the Justice Department brief—the language that was used in it. He reassured me that he will not disappoint the gay community during his time as president, that the promises he made during the campaign are promises he will fulfill, and he was very forthright about his commitment to equality."

Palm Monday: Toward a More Humane Don't Ask, Don't Tell

The Palm Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara, issued a legal memo Monday suggesting what Defense Secretary Robert Gates might do if he is seriously interested in "a more humane" approach to applying Don't Ask, Don't Tell that will end with "changing the policy."

Suggestions include that he order the retention of targeted members due to the country's security requirements and that he demand approval over any inquiries in the first place.

It's not a full repeal, but Time points out this sort of "tweak in other nations' prohibitions on gays in the military have opened the way to their repeal," citing Great Britain and Israel as examples.

Not So Admirable Admiral: Don't Rush on Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Admiral Mike Mullen—chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and America's top military officer—said on CNN's State of the Union that he favors a "measured" approach if any changes are to be made to Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

"It's very clear what President Obama's intent here is. He intends to see this law change. I've had conversations with him about that. What I've discussed in terms of the future is I think we need to move in a measured way."

With all the talk we've had of the need for the policy to be reviewed, Mullen admitted he hasn't done "any kind of extensive review." His priority is to "give the president my best advice, should this law change, on the impact on our people and their families at these very challenging times."

The last bit heavily implies that allowing LGBT soldiers to serve openly could have some kind of detrimental effect on family values, and that wartime might be an inopportune moment to move on this. Pitting LGBT soliders against "our people and their families" begs the question: What about our people and their families, Admiral?

After the jump, video of Colin Powell's appearance on the same show, calling for DADT to be "reviewed"...

Colin Powell: "Review" DADT

Colin Powell—who helped craft Don't Ask, Don't Tell in 1993 (picture from that year) after thwarting President Bill Clinton in his efforts to open the military to out gay soldiers—said on CNN's State of the Union today that the policy should be reviewed, but would not say it should be repealed.

"The policy and the law that came about in 1993 I think was correct for the time. Sixteen years have now gone by, and I think a lot has changed with respect to attitudes within our country. And therefore, I think this is a policy and a law that should be reviewed."

He also seemed to dispute the notion (as interpreted from President Obama's recent remarks) that the policy exists only because of a generation gap:

"It is not just a matter of old generals who, you know, are just too high-bound. There are lots of complicated issues with respect to this, and I think all of those issues should be illuminated. And I hope that the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the commanders working with the Secretary of Defense will give this the greatest consideration and make their recommendation to the president and to the Congress."