Staking a claim - Capitol Park memorial honors gay veterans (But No Ten Commandments)

Just FYI since you ping me, we've taken the story national and are hot on the trail to the truth. Out of 500+ PDN members, One, UNO, 1 (single) wanted to know my position since I've tried to be objective in our position. Here is my reply worth a read here:

In part, you wrote, "Procedures are put in place to insure the acceptable standards are maintained." Sadly my friend, I discovered today that is just not the case. In addition, the very people responsible for "veterans affairs have proven themselves unworthy of the task. Those people, like the plaque, should be removed pending a complete investigation of this matter. As I will outline to everyone in more detail soon, I have gone directly to the sources and they have either lied to me or a State Senator's staff.

Cheryl Schmidt, Secretary of Women Veterans is attributed with the approval by Bill Bird in Senator Rico Oller's Capitol Office. When I informed her secretary, Jackie, that this was the reason for my call, she offered to pull Ms Schmidt out a meeting to speak with me. I assured her my interest was keen but I was willing to wait for a return call. Cheryl Schmidt ran for the cover of Andrew Kotch, a mouthpiece for CDVA who called in her stead, was evasive, unwilling to name names and blamed the plaque's unapproved installation on a miscommunication between CDVA and DGS.

We then have the spokesman for the Gay Veterans Memorial Association statement in the Bee. "Tom Swann said he shed a few tears when he saw CDVA Secretary Maurice Johannessen himself signed (sic) the letter." Johannessen's staff firmly denies this.

There are no stewards to protect what CDVA's website describes as "A Place of Dignity, Inspiration and Quiet Contemplations".

I couldn't agree more with your statement: "I do not agree with the manner in which the Gay & Lesbian memorial stone was placed at the California Veterans Memorial." That is the primary case PDN will make in press releases. It follows that the improperly placed plaque be removed pending the establishment of guidelines consistent with the wishes of the living veterans whose service is honored in ANY war memorial.

Mark, on our PDN Pages, I have tried to maintain a clear distinction between the procedural issues and lack of accountability I've seen first hand, and not focus on those who might be less tolerant of social issues on either side. Mr. Bill Manes didn't seek our council, Stanford Ross did. To date, the large volume of email PDN has received has all been one sided... the plaque is viewed as inappropriate to a memorial for ALL our veterans and seeking recognition for any one group's personal choices has no place on such hallowed ground. I share that view. Many others are far more direct in their opinions but my charter as "Flunky in Chief" is to represent the majority of our group with as much dignity and respect as I can without my personal views getting in the way.

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