Please read this statement by Rep. Alcee Hastings (Florida) regarding DADT.
Part of this statement reads as follows:
“I introduced an amendment to H.R. 3326, now withdrawn, prohibiting the use of funds in this bill to investigate or discharge our dedicated service men and women on the grounds of ‘telling’ their sexual orientation. The Policy Concerning Homosexuality in the Armed Forces – commonly called ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ – provides that a service member can be separated from the Armed Forces for stating that he or she is a homosexual or bisexual. Due to pressure from some of my Congressional colleagues and from the White House, I have withdrawn my amendment. I would, however, like to note that it is most unfortunate that we are not addressing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell at this time. We should not be appropriating funds to enable qualified service members to be booted out just because they are honest about whom they are.
Anyone who still thinks that Obama cares about full equality for Gay people, or even cares about removing DADT, is sorely mistaken. Too much of his duplicity in this matter has been revealed to have us believe that he can be trusted.
It would behoove those participating in the March on Washington, scheduled for October 11th, and those who participate in Pride Parades, to focus on both Obama's unfulfilled promises and empty rhetoric, as well as demand full and equal rights befitting any and all citizens in the United States.
It is inconceivable that votes must be taken by Congress and by the electorate to determine what civil rights to which LGBT people are entitled and to which they are not entitled in our country where all citizens are guaranteed equal protection under the law as stated in our Constitution. Obama has the Bully Pulpit in this matter, and he refuses to use it, which seems to me that he doesn't give a damn about equal rights for Gay people.
In this connection, further redundant discussions regarding DADT are due to occur. Here is Sen. Kristen Gillibrand (New York) talking about the politically expedient strategy that is felt to be needed in order to rescind DADT:
2 comments:
The military is fighting this tooth and nail. What's disturbing is that good men and women are being discharged. Now the services are replacing some of those numbers with felons.
The US likes to boast about having the most prepared military, too. Talk about hypocrasy
Hi genevieve: Like racism, homophobia runs deep and shows one aspect of its very irrationality by the example you cite. Best wishes, Jerry.
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