By: Make Them Accountable / The Nation

Make Them Accountable / The Nation — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:12:46 +0000

[...] Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell . . . But Do Explain: Court Reinstates Lawsuit by Lesbian Dismissed by Mil… The Ninth Circuit has handed down an important decision on gay rights and the military. The three-judge panel did not strike down the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy but it did reinstate the lawsuit of Major Margaret Witt, a decorated Air Force nurse. The ruling forces the government to prove that the policy advances an important government interest. The opinion builds on the decision in Lawrence v. Texas (2003) and recognizes that the policy infringes on Witt’s constitutionally protected rights. [...]

By: Jill

Jill — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:23:50 +0000

I am very happy that this case will be argued on its merits. Unit cohesion is achieved by strong, fair, intelligent leadership. A leader does not tolerate abusive, unprofessional conduct–qualities distinctly unrelated to sex, color, gender orientation or religion. If for example, male pilots feel they cannot fly a plane if a female pilot is in their squadron the male should ask to be reassigned to other duties he can carry out with a female present. Should he be unable to reassign, then he should do his job. A leader does not force his/her religion on their subordinates, nor need they worry about sexual orientation. A leader asks her/his people to do their job and expects them to do it, end of story.

The only reasons one should be forced from the military is incompetence, insubordination, or endangering/abusing others. Getting rid of perfectly competent people for any other reasons smacks of weak leadership.

Comments on: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell . . . But Do Explain: Court Reinstates Lawsuit by Lesbian Dismissed by Military

By: Make Them Accountable / The Nation

By: Jill