Soldier Challenges "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: The Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- Even if no one is asking, Army Sgt. Darren Manzella has been telling anyone who'll listen that he's gay.

So far, he's been without serious retribution from the military.

The Fort Hood medic, who served in Iraq and Kuwait, has admitted his sexual orientation in national media interviews and again today in a Washington.

"This is who I am. This is my life," said Manzella, who received a combat medical badge for his service in Iraq. "It has never affected my job performance before. I don't think it will make a difference now. And to be honest since then, I don't see a difference because of my homosexuality."

Read more: http://kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=7597547

[JonathanZ1982]

1. If they let him stay now that he's out...

doesn't that destroy the argument for DADT? Anyone who is later discharged can cite him as proof that you can be gay and serve in the military without incident.

[TechBear_Seattle]

2. The argument for DADT was destroyed before it ever was signed into law by Clinton

There have always been gay men and women in the US military. Margarethe Cammermeyer's superiors knew that she was a lesbian years before she was kicked out; it was only in response to a security clearance interview that the matter was forced. Many others have been in exactly the same situation: as long as there is no need for official knowledge, they are allowed to serve, sometimes pretty openly. When the military is in forced servitude mode... excuse me, under a stop-loss order, gay people cannot be discharged solely on the grounds of homosexuality. There was an Arabic translator, who was outed during Operation Desert Storm. General discharge proceedings were started, then the stop-loss order came down. He went on to serve two more years under that stop-loss as an openly gay men, earned several commendations for his service, and then was summarily booted out on the grounds of homosexuality once the stop-loss was lifted without an honorable discharge.

The whole thing is and always has been a tremendously unfunny joke. Thanks, Bill!