It's frustrating, Mr. President. You have told us repeatedly to be impatient, to hold you accountable, to pressure you, and to not wait for our rights. Yet, when you were pressured last night to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell, you played dumb.
You responded to the shout from the audience:
When ... you've got an ally like me who [is] standing for the same thing, then you don't know exactly why you've got to holler, because [I] already hear you, alright? I mean, it would have made more sense to holler that at the people who oppose it.
One of the basic principles of direct action protest is to target those who hold the power to create the change you seek. Why would you tell us to yell at Republicans? They haven't voted for anything since you became President and they're not about to start.
YOU HOLD THE POWER. You can insert language in the Defense Authorization bill that would repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell. Everyone agrees this is the most likely way to repeal this discriminatory law. You know this, and one of the protesters last night made it clear to you by repeatedly yelling "Insert the language! Insert the language!".
Why play dumb on this? Is it because your Administration has already decided that you won't insert repeal language into Defense Authorization?
If so, it's time for you to show leadership and instruct Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to insert the language in the bill. Or show leadership and ask Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin to insert repeal language into the bill.
Throughout America, we who believe that all citizens of this country who believe that LGBT people should have the same civil rights as non-LGBT people will continue to follow your orders: our impatience is growing, we will hold you accountable, we will pressure you, and we will not be told to wait.
It's time to Get Equal.
If you believe in full equality for LGBT citizens, visit Get Equal to do what the President has told us to do.