In the Colorful Butterfly Situation

The need for ratification of the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) between the U.S. and Russia has finally penetrated the minds of Republican senators. Previously, they were automatically saying “no” to everything bearing President Barack Obama’s signature.

This was preceded by a massive propaganda campaign. All former Secretaries of State, including Republicans Henry Kissinger and Colin Powell, voted for the ratification of the treaty. The last salvo of the campaign was an appeal of two Republicans: former Presidents George H.W. Bush, the father, and George W. Bush, the son.

It seemed that the ice was broken — the qualified majority already had been looming in the Senate (67 votes out of 100). Last Friday, out of the blue, Republican Senator Bob Corker (Tennessee) planted a “bomb” under START. Corker said that this treaty won’t be ratified if Democrats revoke the so-called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law that was passed under the Bill Clinton presidency. The law prohibits military recruits from disclosing their sexual orientation and restricts the U.S. military from efforts to discover the sexuality of service members. The idea to make START as a hostage of DADT was immediately picked up by the other Republican senators.

For example, Senator John McCain — former presidential candidate of the Republican Party — strongly opposes gay military service legalization. (By the way, his wife and daughter disagree with him, because Meghan is a lesbian.)* Regarding START, Sen. McCain demands withdrawal from the preamble of the passage that recognizes the interrelationship between offensive and defensive weapons. Sen. McCain and other Republicans are afraid that “the Russian Federation could use this Treaty as a de facto veto against U.S. missile defense systems.” As a reminder, any change in the text of the treaty would require new negotiations between Washington and Moscow, which will prolong and further complicate the ratification.

On Saturday, First Lady Michelle Obama, First Daughters Malia and Sasha, and First Dog “Bo” flew to Hawaii for Christmas. The president will join them after the Congressional session ends. The family intends to return to Washington on Jan. 1, 2011. The White House kept quiet about what will happen if the Senate doesn’t finish its affairs this week, which would force it to return to the Capitol the week between Christmas and New Year’s.

Some spiteful critics argue that the president is in a hurry to “shove down the senators’ throats” the most important laws for the country so he can reunite with his family for Christmas in Hawaii. Others, on the contrary, say that Obama, being a Muslim in his heart, wants to desecrate the most sacred holiday for Christians and force the Congress to work instead of celebrating. This situation reminds me of an old Georgian song about a colorful butterfly, which is advised to fly away and not to leave. “What should the poor colorful butterfly do?” goes the song. These days, President Barack Obama is in the colorful butterfly situation. To fly away or stay — it is bad either way…

Last Saturday, in the late afternoon, the U.S. Senate voted 65 to 31 (in this case there was no need for a qualified majority) giving a “green light” to gay people to serve openly in the U.S. military. This news stirred up an explosion of enthusiasm on the Internet among homosexuals. “Gays have served even in the Roman legions of Caesar,” proclaimed some of them. “You don’t need to be straight to shoot straight,” say others. (Straight is slang for “not gay.”)

It is anticipated that Obama will sign the bill very soon. For him, this is a victory, but it may turn out to be a Pyrrhic victory. Enraged by their defeat, the Republicans may want to seek revenge and ruin the ratification of START. The Republicans sank the Immigration Law in the past. Paradoxically, it was convenient for Obama’s party: during the 2012 presidential and congressional elections, Hispanic voters, whose number is steadily increasing, will be on the Democratic side.

*Editor’s Note: Meghan McCain is in support of gay rights, but is not in fact a lesbian.