GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

MSierra, SF — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:29:47 GMT

From Washington Monthly:

'...It has always seemed obvious to me that Don't Ask, Don't Tell is immoral and discriminatory. But I've never understood why it isn't clear that it's also an insult to the professionalism of the military. The very idea that our soldiers should not be quite capable of subordinating their personal beliefs to the needs of their unit is as insulting. The idea that if some of them can't, we should fire the people they object to rather than the ones who cannot be counted on to put their jobs first is just bizarre.

That said, I am wary of asking Obama to simply set aside a law, however misguided. I didn't like it when Bush did that, and I don't like it now. The idea of suspending it while the administration "studies" it seems like a disingenuous way to get around the law. The Palm Center (pdf) has a better idea:

"The President has the authority to issue an executive order halting the operation of "don't ask, don't tell." Under 10 U.S.C. Â§ 12305 ("Authority of the President to Suspend Certain Laws Relating to Promotion, Retirement, and Separation"), Congress grants the President authority to suspend the separation of military members during any period of national emergency in which members of a reserve component are serving involuntarily on active duty."

I am not a lawyer, so I don't know whether this would work, but if it could, Obama should use it. (Unlike the idea of studying DADT, this would not be a dodge: we do need, for instance, Arabic linguists like Lt. Choi.)

Whether or not Obama can legally suspend DADT, though, Congress plainly can. HR 1283, which would repeal DADT, is still in committee. Nancy Pelosi should move it as quickly as possible. While Congress dawdles, people's careers are being ended. And that's not right...'

I served in the Army from 66 - 70
Honorable discharge Sgt E-5

The dentist who put in my bridge work was obviously gay
That didn't matter to me
He did good work
This was 1967

'...A 2006 Zogby International poll of military members found that 26% were in favor of gays and lesbians serving in the military, 37% opposed gays and lesbians serving, and 37% expressed no preference or were unsure...'

This sounds like a pretty divided set of opinions
Maybe you Vox Populi for our military, InTheMiddle
Who knew ??

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

Nashivlle_fan — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:31:28 GMT

Ahhhhhhhhhh . . .

Nothing like BLOCKING something, anything to make you feel RELEVEANT!

Way to flex your muscles GOP - woo hoo!

America is clearly a better place now that this obscure nominee has been blocked . . . we can all rest a little easier.

Oh brother . . .

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

LB, Virginia — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:32:34 GMT

The hard right GOP will eventually become extinct in the West. As for Alaska, well who knows or cars. They are short sighted in their thinking, and people living out west are starting to appreciate how saving the public lands from the likes of Exxon is a good idea. Should the GOP be proud? At least the party of NO has a perfect record!

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

Paul, Danville KY — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:33:12 GMT

And the Republican response is to hold up the appointment of an official that Bennett's own office admits is qualified, thus preventing the government from actually governing just so the Republican can make their point. Evidently they're enjoying this 'Party of No' tag. If they keep us, the Dems will be well above 60 senate seats after the 2010 elections.

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

GP NW Indiana — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:35:01 GMT

Just add it to the heap of things that is causing the downfall of the GOP. Sounds like things are personal.

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

Greg, D.C. — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:35:39 GMT

GOP: Fighting for corruption!

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

ted — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:39:21 GMT

This is super sick!!! for OIL are you serious!!! there are so many lease deals out there so stop playing games.

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

Enos the Eskimo — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:41:16 GMT

Isn't murkowski one of those idiot republicans who thinks that Alaska is their own deal? Its a shame real America is being held hostage by someone from the dumbest state in the union...oh well

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

GOP are the Whigs of the 21st century — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:41:58 GMT

Once again, GOP = Party of NO

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

Barbara C. - Fort Lauderdale, FL — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:43:35 GMT

They want to drill oil where??? Paging T. Boone Pickens and Ted Turner....Paging T.Boone and Ted....!!

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

JJ, Cary, NC — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:46:44 GMT

What a pity! The Grand Ol' Party! They have no dignity left. They are tired, old and angry because they are running around in dirty diapers and can't figure out how to get changed!! Quick! Depends'll do it! (Hey, this would make a great commercial!)

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

Michele Phelps Denver Colorado — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:54:30 GMT

As an independent voter who has always voted for who I felt was the best candidate regardless of pary, I've become disgusted with the immature behavior of the derrogatory labeling, name calling, embarassing and demeaning people who oppose dem views. In 30 years I don't remember them behaving this badly. If they don't begin exhibiting more tolerance and be respectful towards people with different views, I will not continue voting as I have in the past. I'm embarassed at their behavior.

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

Clara Kansas City, MO — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:54:39 GMT

Keep it up, Repubs. 2010 can't come soon enough. Irrelevant is not a slogan that sells.

Salazar is a good guy. He should have stayed in the Senate, the bureaucracy in the Interior will leave him frustrated for many years.

Card carrying Native America, I can completely speak to the amount of inefficiency in this department in the recent 8 years, compared to previous administrations. Bush and Co decided so many branches were insignificant and sent the resources to ill-gotten wars and disastrous foreign policy attempts, instead of focusing on the whole cabinet and domestic issues. The frayed edges show the wear and tear of such ill thought out 'planning'.

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

Drew, Cincinnati, Ohio — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:58:09 GMT

It is abundantly clear that the Republican party is going to obstruct anything and everything they can. There is only one solution. The Democrats must begin to retaliate. Push forward all legislation and the Whitehouse needs to use all their authority to right and forward all policies they can that would be objectionable to the right without acknowledging them. Maybe when they are choking on their loses they will finally wake up. They will then have to come begging and I would make them publicly apologize and acknowledge their obstructionism. Elections have consequences and we won!

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

Buzz — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:58:36 GMT

Hey, I know! "Drill, baby Drill!".
Oil IS, after all, a finite resource. Why not deplete it all that much sooner?
Boy- would I make a great 'me-first' Repub, or what??

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

Thomas Mc — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:00:57 GMT

After the next election, nobody will ever have to think about the Republicans again.

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

Ex park service — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:03:15 GMT

Typical

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

Chris - IL — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:05:03 GMT

How dare President Obama nominate someone that isn't in the pocket of the oil and coal industry.

Do you mean to tell me that he wants to put someone in that actually looks at the LONG TERM benefit to the American people?

That is so outrageous!

GOP . . .

The pro-torture,
health care for the rich,
rape the land,
say NO to everything Party!

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

Real American — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:07:57 GMT

Its a shame real America is being held hostage by someone from the dumbest state in the union...oh well
---------------------------------------------------
'Real America'? Isn't that the term that Dems castigated people for last year?

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

Observerinvancouver — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:09:06 GMT

How many more appointments are going to be held up, while the U.S. goes to hell in a handbasket, before Harry Reid faces up to the fact that the filibuster rule needs changing? One suggestion: Reverse the onus so that at least 40 votes are required to keep a filibuster going. That way, they have to crawl out of the woodwork and face the light of day. Other possibilities abound to keep the filibuster in some form.

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

jesse St.Paul Minnesota — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:10:12 GMT

Interior,,,,The Bush Admin version of Animal House,the boys and girls at interior partyed harty with the Oil companys whores,snorted there coke,took gifts from the Oilers,partyed like it was 1999.So to say it needs a clean up would be a under statement.But at least they didn't board anyone.

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

Nj — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:16:18 GMT

The GOP is a DISGRACE. They play childish games while the country needs All hands on deck
this is disgusting

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

Dookie — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:21:36 GMT

It's funny to hear those on the left continually throwing out this "Party of NO" garbage. Uhhh...what do you think the Dems were doing during the bulk of the Bush Administration?

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

Jilli, houston, tx — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:33:43 GMT

Another fine display of "Country First" republican style.

My seven year old displays more social maturity than the republicans do.

This is exactly why they lost so resoundingly in the last election, and why they will continue to lose.

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

SWL — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:51:15 GMT

GOP is RIP - party of NO - party of tax cuts for the top 1% - party of Hoovernomics and Drill Baby drill - well your party is OVER and please keep up this wonderful behaviour so that you go the way of the Whig and Federalist parties - time to sod off..

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:52:07 GMT

It's funny to hear those on the left continually throwing out this "Party of NO" garbage. Uhhh...what do you think the Dems were doing during the bulk of the Bush Administration?
Dookie (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:21 PM)

That's because most of the dunce's picks were/are idiots. Remember Brownie, Remember Harriet and the Best Of All----- ALBERTO GONZALES!!!!!!!!!!

GOP blocks Obama Interior nominee

Ken, Glen Allen, Va — Wed, 13 May 2009 17:12:20 GMT

From the AP versio of the story, 2 Republicans voted for, 1 Democrat voted against, and 3 Democrats did not show up to vote.
Looks like another case of the Democrats not getting their act together.