Pelosi Signs On To DADT Repeal

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/05/051806military.htm

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Thursday became the 116th member of Congress to call for an end to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" the military's ban on gays serving openly in the armed forces.

Pelosi (D-CA) announced her support for legislation to repeal DADT following a Capitol Hill lobby day organized by Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a national organization representing gays in the military.

“Congresswoman Pelosi has joined a growing Congressional coalition who support strengthening national security, and guaranteeing equal opportunity for our men and women in uniform, through the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’” said SLDN executive director C. Dixon Osburn.

Among others support repeal of the measure is fellow California Democratic Congresswoman Susan Davis. Both represent districts with some of the largest military bases in the country.

[ShortnFiery]

1. Another Proof Positive that we have a ONE Party System ...

Corporate War Profiteers and Corporate War Profiteers Lite. :puke:

Of course they will repeal it now ... we need more "cannon fodder."

I don't get this at all? :shrug:

On Edit: In other words, repealing DADT now IMO is NOT a sign of tolerance. Rather it's an indicator that the Military is SERIOUSLY stretched too thin. If times were good, the *Military* brass would be all over this to the negative.

[racaulk]

3. Another way to look at it...

We already have gay Americans in our military serving in Iraq and other places abroad. They're in the military because they chose to be (for the most part). With DADT in place, they have almost no legal recourse if their superiors find out that they are gay, with all of their benefits taken away in a second.

I don't think repealing DADT will give the military more "cannon fodder." I would argue that gay people that want to fight this war in Iraq are already over there fighting it, albeit secretly. I think Nancy Pelosi (and the other members of Congress backing the repeal) only want to make sure that they can serve openly about who they are and are able to receive all of the benefits that are due to them when they come home. Kudos to her.

You mentioned that repealing DADT now is not a sign of tolerance. You're right, but it would be a sign of equality. Tolerance will take time, regardless of whether or not DADT is in place. DADT is a heinous rule that needs to be repealed, and wartime or no, there is no bad time to do that.

[ShortnFiery]

4. You make a good point ...

Yes, I guess that "a positive" - acceptance of gay people serving in the military is good even if it's for the wrong reasons. I remember way way back when I served on Active Duty, there was very little tolerance of anything that "might be" gay. I did not like the seemingly open hostility. Therefore, you're right, anything that promotes tolerance is a plus. :hi:

However, I hope that we "see the light" and reason ... pull out of the Middle East entirely and let the natives work it out among themselves. :shrug: Each day it breaks my heart to see MORE death. :(

[xchrom]

2. good. as it should be --

get rid of that heinous rule.

[neoblues]

5. Seems To Me... DADT is the Bush Admin's "Catch Phrase"

Without the associated reference to gays in the military, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" seems to be their "mantra", "mission statement", "objective" or "catch-phrase"... as in "How Dare You Ask Anything--It'll Harm The Troops or You're Anti-American/Treasonous" and "We'll Never Tell You Anything About How We Govern"... it really should be George DADT W. Bush.

[tjwmason]

6. Britain recently allowed gays to serve openly.

Following a legal ruling by the European Court.

Guess how much trouble it caused?

Sweet b***** all.