( - promoted by Louise)
Sen. Carl Levin's office announced on Friday that the Senate Armed Services Committee will hold hearings on repealing "Don't Ask Don't Tell" in November, though his office did not name a precise date. Sen. Levin is chairman of the Committee. Those hearings come at the request of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, after her attempts to add an amendment freezing investigations and discharges of troops to the Defense Authorization Act of 2010 was defeated. The hope is that these hearings will result in a companion bill to Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which currently has 182 co-sponsors in the House. What was the Pentagon's response? Segregation (emphasis mine). McHugh finds himself at the center of debate over Obama’s pledge to repeal the law banning open service by homosexuals.In the interview, McHugh carefully avoided offering his personal views on the issue, saying his job now is to provide input to Obama on how to make the change and to talk with members of Congress about the issue. Selling the idea to Congress, which has the final say, could depend on exactly what the administration tries to do in terms of the timing of repeal and how it is applied, McHugh said. It’s possible, for example, that homosexuals could be allowed into some occupations or units but barred from others, McHugh said, stressing that he was not aware of any such plans but only discussing how the issue might play out. I'm speechless. As a veteran, as a "Silent Partner," as an intelligence professional, and as a citizen of the United States of America I'm so personally offended that someone in the chain of command could actually suggest this that I'm for once at a complete loss for words. When asked specifically if lifting the gay ban would seriously disrupt the military, as predicted by those who oppose repeal, McHugh said there is no reason to think major turmoil would ensue.“Anytime you have a broad-based policy change, there are challenges to that,” he said. “The Army has a big history of taking on similar issues, [with] predictions of doom and gloom that did not play out,” he said. So, despite no reason to think "major turmoil would ensue," Secretary McHugh still found it entirely appropriate to tell the Army Times that he supports segregation of LGBT troops. This is the man President Obama appointed as the go-to guy for Army operations. This is our fierce advocacy. Is this that mysterious implementation plan that's been crafted during the magical Obama 17 dimensional chess game between the White House and the Pentagon? The Army Secretary is sending the message to his Commander-in-Chief that segregation is okay, if we just sell it to Congress right. This was suggested in 1993, during Clinton's disastrous attempt at openly gay service. It was dropped as unthinkable. How on earth can it be possibly be acceptable now, in 2009? I don't even know what to say. I'm so outraged I can't respond right now. To hear such a callous, base, sordid thing suggested of my Beloved, of someone so brave, so smart, so caring for her subordinates and supportive of her team, someone who exemplifies the core values of honor, integrity, excellence, courage, service before self, loyalty, commitment, and duty...I just can't. There are no words. |
