History!

The 17-year saga to get what President Clinton had wanted for gay and lesbian service members is moments away from being officially achieved with the Senate voting to allow a vote to end "don't ask, don't tell." This truly is the greatest gift we could ask for this Christmas. I'm truly shaking -- call it a Miracle on Capitol Hill. I don't even want to spoil it by reliving the details of how we finally got here except to say that I hope Sen. John McCain's obit lede mentions both the Keating Five -- who destroyed many lives in my very neighborhood as a child in Arizona -- and "don't ask, don't tell." You are a truly a shameful excuse for a "man." Very proud to be an American today, despite people like him.

UPDATE: As expected, the Senate voted -- 65 to 31, with eight Republicans joining Democrats -- to send President Obama a repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

The president said of the landmark legislation, which many have equated with the end of racial segregation in the military, "As commander in chief, I am also absolutely convinced that making this change will only underscore the professionalism of our troops as the best led and best trained fighting force the world has ever known."

He will sign the bill into law on Monday. Next stop: marriage equality for all!!!