We have been here before and don't blame President Obama for any of the court proceedings currently facing the removal of DADT.
Patience is a virtue.
Gays serving openly in the military has always been a reason for discharge. Sodomy was the issue. Any reason to believe a service member was committing an act of sodomy was reason for discharge. That changed under President Clinton's administration.
Previous to DADT, there was a coveted concept called "The Warrior Culture." It was the idea that a nation had to have definition of masculinity that would promote a 'psychologically strong' military. That culture was in place even during President Kennedy's era. The history of the military when it comes to defining its culture is somewhat interesting, but, mostly silly.
DADT was actually an improvement to the military culture, so no one has lost anything yet. DADT is actually a very progressive measure for the military and there is every indication the progression to removing any stigma will become a part of the culture as well.
...You’ve heard the threats -- (click here) about how gay men in the shower might bring down the U.S. military with a wink, a pinch, or a flick of a wet towel. But where’s the truth in that? What’s it really like to serve alongside gay and lesbian service members?
I don’t have permission to be on base, and I’m nervous, because when I told veterans what I planned to do, they all gave me pretty much the same warning: Any soldier I approach could call the Military Police, who would escort me to the gates and kick me out -- unless they detained me for questioning.... Patience is a virtue.
Gays serving openly in the military has always been a reason for discharge. Sodomy was the issue. Any reason to believe a service member was committing an act of sodomy was reason for discharge. That changed under President Clinton's administration.
Previous to DADT, there was a coveted concept called "The Warrior Culture." It was the idea that a nation had to have definition of masculinity that would promote a 'psychologically strong' military. That culture was in place even during President Kennedy's era. The history of the military when it comes to defining its culture is somewhat interesting, but, mostly silly.
DADT was actually an improvement to the military culture, so no one has lost anything yet. DADT is actually a very progressive measure for the military and there is every indication the progression to removing any stigma will become a part of the culture as well.
...You’ve heard the threats -- (click here) about how gay men in the shower might bring down the U.S. military with a wink, a pinch, or a flick of a wet towel. But where’s the truth in that? What’s it really like to serve alongside gay and lesbian service members?
...Yet some gay and lesbian soldiers are already serving openly in the U.S. armed forces. Although last year 619 soldiers were thrown out of the military for being gay, the policy is selectively enforced. According to a 2006 poll by Zogby International, 45% of service members suspect that at least one person in their unit is gay or lesbian, and 23% are sure of it. In Iraq and Afghanistan, Americans in battalions of combined international forces have fought under command of openly gay officers from Canada or the United Kingdom or alongside gay soldiers from 11 other countries (among the 25 worldwide) that allow known gays to serve: Australia, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Sweden. Openly gay, armed military contractors serve alongside U.S. soldiers in combat theaters as well....
There is already legislation at work to remove the precepts of DADT. There is no reason to increase the volume on the issue. It isn't as though this is not a current directive. I understand how the Gay Community wants to hasten its death because valuable members of the military are being dismissed from serving and that is simply "W"rong.
The Murphy Amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2011 requires the military to conduct a study of the what ill effects, if any, the removal of DADT would have on military effectiveness. The amendment than instructs the military to end DADT 60 days after the completion of the study.
The legal battle in the courts is necessary and I don't want to diminish it, because, there is no ABSOLUTE repeal of DADT and the action by the amendment is based on military discretion discovered within the study which the military is already conducting. So, to close the potential gap in ending DADT and allowing Openly Gay members to enlist and serve the courts are being accessed to prove its constitutionality. It all makes sense and the GLBT community is correct, there is no reason to leave a stone unturned.
The Murphy Amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2011 requires the military to conduct a study of the what ill effects, if any, the removal of DADT would have on military effectiveness. The amendment than instructs the military to end DADT 60 days after the completion of the study.
The legal battle in the courts is necessary and I don't want to diminish it, because, there is no ABSOLUTE repeal of DADT and the action by the amendment is based on military discretion discovered within the study which the military is already conducting. So, to close the potential gap in ending DADT and allowing Openly Gay members to enlist and serve the courts are being accessed to prove its constitutionality. It all makes sense and the GLBT community is correct, there is no reason to leave a stone unturned.
| Patrick Murphy's Amendment to Repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Passes House (click here) |
| Thursday, 27 May 2010 | |
Bipartisan Vote is Major Step Forward in Fight to Repeal Outdated, Discriminatory Policy(Washington, DC) – Tonight, CoPublish Post “Tonight, Congress took a historic step toward repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and toward ensuring that every American has the same opportunity I did to defend our nation,” said Rep. Murphy. “Patriotic Americans willing to take a bullet for their country should never be forced to lie about who they are in order to serve the country they love. I will not rest until the repeal of this discriminatory policy that hurts national security is signed into law.” In his remarks on the floor, Rep. Murphy spoke of Former Air Force Sgt. David Hall, a young man he met who served in the Middle East and dreamed of becoming a pilot. Sgt. Hall didn’t ask, and he didn’t tell. But someone told his commander they thought Sgt. Hall was gay and after an investigation, he was kicked out of the Air Force. “I assure you I am fit for military duty,” Hall told Congressman Murphy. “Please stop discharging patriotic Americans who just want to serve the country they love.” The amendment was included in the FY 2011 National Defense Authorization Act. |
The GOP has made a 'wedge issue' out of the Murphy Amendment after it received BiPartisan Support and they are attempting to cover their tracks while seeking the support of Tea Republicans, their most extremist wing, thus far.
The total number of discharges based on DADT from 1994 through 2009 is 13,389.
The total number of discharges based on DADT from 1994 through 2009 is 13,389.
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