Don't Ask Don't Tell
Don't Ask and Don't Tell Poster Boy Recalled? The original article read indicates that the soldier that has been the center of the debate of repealing the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy written into law by congress has been called back to active duty. They later published a correction. Whether he is on active duty or reinstated to duty in the National Guard is of little consequence since his being reinstated in the National Guard could potentially allow him to be called to active duty; if and when his unit is activated.
In enacting Don't Ask Don't Tell , Congress made numerous findings and made it against the law for any individual to openly tell what their sexual preference is and more importantly to persistently commit homosexual acts. It should be noted in section (b) (2) of the law, the fact that a person declares himself or herself as a homosexual is not what mandates their dismissal but it is their propensity to commit homosexual acts in the future. Lt. Dan Choi knew he was potentially violating the law and military rules when he openly declared his sexual preference and merely allowed himself to be used as the poster child for this hot button issue. So what is next, the reinstatement of all soldiers who have been discharged from the armed services for not following its rules? If not, then are we telling them, sorry no help for you since you are not on the wrong side of a politically hot button issue? As far as I know, the law is still in effect. So how can this happen? Any good soldier follows orders no matter the personal cost to him or her. Honoring Mr. Choi for his openly disobeying rules of the armed services by reinstating him in his National Guard Unit is not the way to make sure that military orders are followed. To me it gives every member of the armed services a license to disobey military orders or rules that they do not like.
As I read the law, it protects the rights of all armed service personnel. Heterosexuals in the armed services can also be court martial for their sexual preferences, and that is what homosexuality is, a sexual preference, such as fraternizing with subordinates, rape, adulterous relationships; etc.; see for example punitive military law provisions, particularly noting 10 USC §§ 920, 920a, 925, 933 and 934. Should the military personnel who violate these rules be given a free pass also? All too often I have heard Mr. Obama saying that he cannot promote laws that single out a particular group; particular those laws that will promote African-American issues over those of other Americans. So why is Mr. Obama pushing for the repeal of a law, the appeal of which takes into account the wishes of a single group? Mr. Obama, it would appear that you are playing politics and stroking the passions of a very vocal and politically connected group over those that are not so vocal or politically connected.
As will be seen in a recent Politico article democrats are worried about repealing don't ask don't tell; as well they should be. In this article, House Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) is quoted as saying on "Meet the Press" recently: "In the middle of two wars, and in the middle of this giant security threat, why would we want to get into this debate?" Now there is very little coming out of John Boehner's mouth that makes sense to me, but this quote is an exception. Mr. Obama and fellow democrats, you would do well not to get into this debate and leave well enough along. If Don't Ask and Don't Tell did not prevent Bill Clinton or George W. Bush from being reelected; it certainly should not prevent you from being reelected. What will, in my opinion, is the lack of leadership you have demonstrated on issues that drive most Americans one way or the other; it is the economy and health care.
Now that is my two cents worth, Leonard.
