The Politics of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
We live in a world where everything is politicized. Almost every American agrees we have a problem with illegal immigration, but once politicized, any attempt to solve that problem is reduced to racism. Most Americans know our government’s spending will result in decades of severe debt, yet once politicized, any attempts to cut spending are seen as anti-poor, anti-minority, anti-elderly, anti-education, anti-environment, etc. Politicizing these issues is a great way to get apathetic Americans to take notice of an important issue, and even garner support for one side or another. However, often times, the reality of these situations is lost when politics is the driving force behind the solutions. That’s exactly what we’re seeing with Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was implemented in 1993 by a Democrat-controlled Congress, and signed by Democratic President Bill Clinton. The gay community, in their undying love for the Democratic Party, often conveniently forgets that fact. The Democrats lost control of Congress in 1994, and during the decade between the implementation of DADT and the start of the Iraq War, Democrats were virtually silent on the matter. Fast-forward to 2006, when Democrats regained the majority in Congress for the first time since the mid-90s. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was not simply a low priority for the incoming Democratic majority; it was nowhere to be seen. It was not until the 2008 Presidential campaign, when Barack Obama made the repeal of DADT a top priority in his promises to the gay community. Obama has yet to make DADT a top priority in his administration, and joins the long list of Democratic leaders to fail on this issue.
This is a national security issue that affects us all. As taxpayers, we have spent millions of dollars training thousands of soldiers and officers discharged under this policy. Our military has invested time and money creating lean, mean, fighting machines out of these brave men and women, and we’re willing to toss them away simply because of who they are physically attracted to? It’s outrageous! We could use another 14,000 troops right now, in case nobody has noticed.
In March, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates sent out a memo ordering a comprehensive review of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. The purpose of the study, with results due December 1st, is to:
(1) Determine any impacts to military readiness, unit cohesion, recruiting and retention, and “family readiness.”
(2) Determine appropriate changes to existing policies and regulations, including but not limited to issues regarding personnel management, leadership and training, facilities, investigations and benefits.
(3) Recommend appropriate changes, if any, to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, as well as evaluate how a policy change would affect ongoing cases.
(4) Find appropriate ways to monitor the workforce climate and military effectiveness once a change is made.
With 78% of Americans supporting a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, it is clear the policy will come to an end soon. However, many Americans – myself included – want to make sure it is repealed responsibly, given that we are in the middle of a two-front war. This Pentagon study is designed to analyze the effects of repeal on our military, and act accordingly.
Therefore, it is entirely political when, in the midst of waiting for the results of a Pentagon review of the policy, Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) inserts an amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011. It is entirely political when the liberal and gay media (which are one in the same), praise this amendment as a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell – when it is clearly NOT.
“House Passes ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Repeal Amendment” – The Huffington Post
“DADT compromise passes House/Senate committee” – Bay Windows
“House Passes ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Repeal Amendment 234-194” – Towleroad
“Congress Moves to End DADT” – The Advocate
“DADT Passes the House” – The Daily Kos
These headlines sound great but a closer look at the amendment, by Ed Morrissey at Hot Air, shows that it is nothing but political maneuvering. In order for Murphy’s amendment to repeal the DADT policy, all of the following must happen:
(1) The Secretary of Defense must receive the Pentagon report, which is not due until December 1, 2010.
(2) The President must submit a written certification to the congressional defense committees, signed by the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which states: (a) That the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have considered the recommendations contained in the report and the report’s proposed plan of action. (b) That the Department of Defense has prepared the necessary policies and regulations to exercise the discretion provided by the amendments. (c) That the implementation of necessary policies and regulations pursuant to the discretion provided by the amendments is consistent with the standards of military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention of the Armed Forces.
Oh, and the repeal still wouldn’t go into effect until 60 days after all of these conditions are satisfied.
So let’s put this in plain English: According to Murphy’s amendment, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell will not be repealed until the Pentagon report comes back on December 1, 2010, and the President, Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Department of Defense all say the military is ready to repeal the policy. And, if the report suggests that military readiness and effectiveness, unit cohesion and recruiting and retention would be adversely affected by DADT’s repeal, it won’t be repealed.
Understood?
The Amendment does NOTHING. So why insert it in the Defense Authorization bill? So Democrats can vote for it, and paint Republicans as bigots. There have been 14,000 gay men and women dishonorably discharged from the military, and we’re playing political games. It’s disgusting.
There is no doubt that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell should be repealed. Gays are the only people in America that have to lie about who they are to serve and die for our country. Regardless of how you feel about gays serving openly in the military, we’re talking about the gay guy serving in Afghanistan who can’t write to the guy he has at home because someone might find out he’s gay. We’re talking about the guy who can’t put a picture of his 15-year partner on his bunk because somebody will find out he’s gay, and throw him out of the military. That’s an equal rights issue. Meanwhile, a guy who is openly Muslim and openly anti-American is at Ft. Hood dispensing psychological advice to our military men and women. This guy can be in the military, but gays aren’t welcome?
Republicans are waiting for the Pentagon review to be completed, and that somehow makes them bigots. Democrats, who refuse to wait for the Pentagon review, are somehow labeled champions of gay rights. But what good is their support for a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, if they want it implemented recklessly, sacrificing military readiness during a two-front war?
Politicizing issues and making them about emotion – not logic – is exactly what the Democrats do best. We need to do what is best for our nation and our military, and we owe it to every man and woman in uniform to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell responsibly, leaving military readiness uncompromised.
