13 arrested for protesting Don't Ask, Don't Tell; Cindy and Megan McCain blast the Republican Party

U.S. Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) made some of his strongest remarks yet in defense of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" military policy that prohibits open homosexual service, suggesting Sunday that an imminent Pentagon study on the issue is biased and arguing that a bill that would overturn it should not pass during the lame-duck session of Congress that began Monday.

His wife, Cindy McCain disagrees with him however, as does his daughter, Meghan McCain. Just the other day, Cindy McCain was part of an all-star anti-bullying video in which she criticized the government's failure to let gays be open in the military. Afterward however, Cindy McCain backed down and Tweeted that she supported her husband's stance on DADT. 

Cindy McCain continues to stand by her statement however that the "government(s) [local, federal, and state] treat the [gay] community like second-class citizens."

Today, thirteen gay rights activists handcuffed themselves to the White House fence (pictured above), calling for U.S. President Barack Obama to work harder for repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" ban on gay service members serving openly.

Several taunted the president, calling for him to come out of the White House and display more courage supporting equal rights for gays. One man shouted, "President Obama is afraid to act."

One of those arrested was a Catholic priest, the Rev. Geoff Farrow, who has spoken in favor of same sex marriage.

Megan McCain (pictured), the daughter of U.S. Senator John McCain, and the oldest of the four children John and Cindy McCain have has become something of a star to the gay and lesbian community for her many public appearances saying the Republican hatred of gay marriage and its inability to tolerate and grant equality to gay and lesbian people will be the undoing of the Republican Party.

In her recent book, "Dirty Sexy Politics," Megan McCain complains that the base of the Republican Party is becoming narrower and narrower, and is no longer the party of individual freedom promoted by Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan. Megan McCain has also described herself as a Republican who is "liberal on social issues."

"We need to make room for all Republicans," she writes in her book. "That means my gay friends ... shouldn’t have to pretend they aren't gay – or have an unequal, Don't Ask, Don't Tell kind of lifestyle – if they want to find a place in the Republican Party."

Will this family split make for a bit of awkwardness around the dinner table on Thanksgiving?