California lawmaker wants Congress to revisit ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy

WASHINGTON — A California Democrat is pushing for Congressional hearings on the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy for the first time since it was put in place 14 years ago.

Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Calif., one of the leading opponents of the ban on homosexuals serving openly in the military, said Wednesday that she has begun planning with other members of the House Armed Services Committee on holding public hearings in coming months.

“I think the country and the rank-and-file military are way ahead of Congress on this issue,” Tauscher said. “I think not only are the American people ready, but I think our servicemembers are very much interested in having this ban lifted.”

The policy was put in place in 1993 by Congress after a series of contentious hearings.

Tauscher said the new hearings, part of a campaign to overturn that policy, will feature testimony from current and former homosexual troops to “educate” both lawmakers and high-ranking military on how little the change would affect morale.

“I think there is an interesting stratification between flag officers and the rank-and-file,” she said. “What’s important is through the hearing process to make clear that this does not have any affect on a person’s ability to serve.”

In December, Zogby International published a poll of 545 current servicemembers, which found that 23 percent know someone in their unit who is homosexual. In addition, 78 percent said they would still have joined the military if the “Don’t Ask” policy was not in effect, compared to 10 percent who said they would have avoided serving.

Last month, Stars and Stripes broke the story of Jason Knight, an openly gay sailor who was recalled after being separated and served as a linguist in the Middle East despite not concealing that he was gay. After the story appeared, Knight was again discharged from the service.

In its July issue to be released next week, the Advocate — a national magazine focusing on homosexual issues — includes stories of two active-duty soldiers who say their commanders know about their sexual preference and have not taken any actions to reprimand or remove them from the service.

Tauscher’s staff said the congresswoman does not have any of those individuals lined up for testimony, but she is confident that a number of active and retired troops can be found to echo those sentiments.

So far the hearings are being planned only on the House side of Capitol Hill; no senators have taken up requests from gay-rights advocates to sponsor a bill overturning the military ban.

I remember when this issue came up in the early days of the Clinton reign of terror. I never saw such hostility among military members over any one issue. Bottom line...we don’t want the ban overturned. PERIOD. These elected idiots haven’t served, therefore know nothing about the military...and should keep their uninformed hands off.

Don’t like that answer? Then try this one. Gay males suffer a disproportionately high rate of HIV. That will translate to a proportionately higher rate of HIV among military members. What is the medical cost of an HIV patient from initial diagnosis to death...maybe a half million dollars? If that happens to a serving military member, he (yes, I’m being gender specific) will fall under the responsibility of the military medical system. This will quickly overwhelm the increasingly scarce medical resources, reducing the resources to care for those injured in combat, training accidents, etc. VA hospitals will become warehouses for HIV patients waiting to die. Again, taking up space for those injured in combat (OUR JOB).

Don’t like that answer? Then try this one. On the battle field, you find blood. Lots of it. GIs are famous for charging into the line of fire to rescue an injured comrade. In the process, they usually get bathed in the blood of the wounded troop. Considering the higher probability of blood-borne pathogens with gays such as HIV, hepatitis, etc...you now substantially increase the risk of death the the rescuer. When the day comes that GIs hesitate to rescue the fallen (and there would be justification for the hesitation), we will quickly cease to exist as the effective fighting force that we are.

I am sick and tired of these oxygen thieves pushing their “desires” on others without the slightest thought about the consequences.

OK...I feel better now. Sorry about the long rant.

mesoman7

It’s hard to deny that homosexuals have personality dysfunctions. They have a high risk of transmitted sexual diseases but also they suffer from an inability to form and take seriously longterm relationships.

In other words, in the words of George S. Patton, “Queers are unreliable.”

Hair dressers, designers, actors, yes. Combat soldiers, No.

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