A new study concludes that the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law does little in terms of actual military readiness and that openly gay soldiers would not significantly diminish morale or fighting capability in the U.S. military. If raised by reporters, the study could put pressure on Barack Obama, who is trying to move to the right in preparation for the general election. John McCain is expected to support the continuation of the current law.
The student was conduct by four retired military officers, including the three-star Air Force lieutenant general who was first tasked by President Clinton to implement the policy.
It was sponsored by the Michael D. Palm Center at the University of California at Santa Barbara, and the authors include Army Lt. Gen. Robert Gard, who supports Barack Obama. Another author, Marine Corps Gen. Hugh Aitken, backed Bill Clinton in 1996. A third author, Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Minter Alexander, is a Republican. The fourth author is Navy Vice Adm. Jack Shanahan, a life long Republican.
The study could strip away the spin on the policy, which has always been about majoritarian values, not war-fighting capabilities. Other countries allow gay and lesbian personnel without any diminishment of capabilities. The suggestion of a danger to morale and capabilities echoes identical arguments made against the incorporation of blacks into war-fighting units.
There is also the question of how long this out-dated policy can be sustained under constitutional review. Lawrence v. Texas remains a rather ambiguous precedent beyond the direct issue of criminal statutes. However, the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy result in a severe penalty for simply being openly gay: discharge. I believe that it would eventually fall under constitutional scrutiny, though admittedly (with the addition of Roberts and Alito) it could have an extended life.
For the full story, click here.
waaaaa. the big bad military won’t let gays be open about their sexuality. waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
martha regurgitates: “The Michael Palm Center sponsored this study, and it is not a disinterested party to this issue. It champions gay rights as part of its mission.”
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Though probably false, let’s assume its true. How does that square with 52 retired flag and general staff officers signing the following statement in response today:
“We respectfully urge Congress to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Those of us signing this letter have dedicated our lives to defending the rights of our citizens to believe whatever they
wish. As General Colin Powell, Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs said when the “don’t ask,don’t tell” policy was enacted, it is not the place of the military or those in senior leadership to
make moral judgments.
Scholarly data shows there are approximately one million gay and lesbian veterans in the United
States today, as well as 65,000 gays and lesbians currently serving in our armed forces. They have served our nation honorably.
We support the recent comments of another former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General John Shalikashvili, who has concluded that repealing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy would not harm,
and would indeed help our armed forces. As is the case in Britain, Israel, and other nations whichallow gays and lesbians to serve openly, our service members are professionals who are able to
work together effectively despite differences in race, gender, religion, and sexuality. Such collaboration reflects the strength and the best traditions of our democracy.”
Another liberal group upsetting the boat, I’m sure. My, my martha are you ever correct about anything?
Dennis G:
Maybe so but facts don’t get in the way of these neo-con guys (and gal), and I am absolutely convinced that our collective average National IQ dropped 20 points since 67-68.
When I served in Vietnam 67-68 in my squad we had a gay soldier draftee originally from Puerto Rico. Everyone liked him and he was a hilarious comic but when it came down to being a soldier he was as good as any man in the squad. I trusted him with my life.
What dumb bastards really needed a study done to figure this out? Wasn’t the answer to such ignorant questions clear enough in America’s Declaration of Independence? “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL…” Stupid pricks and bigots like our very own president don’t even deserve to have gays serve in their military. I am so sick of these people who claim moral elitist status saying that homosexuality is wrong, gay marriage a travesty, whatever. Wake up, read your Constitution, read your Declaration of Independence, America is NOT a Christian Nation, we have no national religion, we can do whatever we feel as long as it is within American law, your Bibles are not a code of laws, if your Bibles make you bigotted, hateful, intollerant, ignorant, perhaps it’s time to close the damn things and grow up and wake up to the real world.
I’m glad this study was done. In the field, a certain, rapid way for prejudice to be challenged is participation in a fire fight where the person who saved your ass is___________ (fill in with prejudice of your choice).
Anti gay bias has caused the army to dismiss some great soldiers and excellent translaters. God knows our people on the ground don’t need all the help they can get.
“When the facts don’t support the right’s message they attack the messenger—-every single time with mind-numbing predictability.”
Bingo! Give rcampbell a cigar.
From the article:
It was sponsored by the Michael D. Palm Center at the University of California at Santa Barbara, and the authors include Army Lt. Gen. Robert Gard, who supports Barack Obama. Another author, Marine Corps Gen. Hugh Aitken, backed Bill Clinton in 1996. A third author, Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Minter Alexander, is a Republican. The fourth author is Navy Vice Adm. Jack Shanahan, a life long Republican.
Yeah, sure looks like that wild and crazy bunch from the San Francisco Gay Pride Parade. When the facts don’t support the right’s message they attack the messenger—-every single time with mind-numbing predictability.
The Michael Palm Center sponsored this study, and it is not a disinterested party to this issue.
It champions gay rights as part of its mission.
That has critics saying that the study itself is unreliable and biased from the start.
Says an openly Gay endorsing panel…………..