Tag Archives: DADT discharges

The First Results Of The DADT Repeal Survey Leaked In The L.A, Times And It’s Not Good

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The Los Angeles Times has leaked some of the first results of the horribly homophobic and offensive survey that the Pentagon sent out to over 400,000 active military members of the Armed Forces regarding the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell .

In the L.A. Times Story “Scholars question weight of Judge Virginia Phillips’ order overturning the law and halting all Defense Department proceedings aimed at discharging gay and lesbian personnel. ruling and the Obama Administration and the Justice Department appealing the decision to, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco or the U.S. Supreme Court to lift Phillips’ order while a full appeal goes forward and the DADT repeal slowly makes its way through Congress.  The litigation on the constitutionality of the law could go on for years said Aaron Tax, legal director for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, an organization that represents gay and lesbian military personnel.

At the end of the article the L.A. Times reports on the first results of the infamous DADT survey: (That cost the country over $400,000.00)

The Pentagon task force charged with examining the issue is “well along” in formulating recommendations, and the ruling is not expected to affect its work, another senior military officer.

The task force found deep resistance to the idea of repealing the law in some elements of the armed services, especially within the combat units, an officer familiar with the findings said. But the surveys also have found segments of the military who were not overly worried about allowing gays and lesbians to serve, the officer said.

One really has to wonder WHY the repeal of DADT has become such a clusterfuck. And why the Obama Administration is so hellbent on ONLY willing to follow a Congressional repeal to the end. Over 79 percent of Americans believe that DADT should end.  That it has reached this point because of political games, posturing, internal homophobia and just plain bullshit on the Federal level is an embarrassment to our country and HIGHLY OFFENSIVE to the LGBT Community and all Americans in general.

On has to wonder what the real motivation is behind this.  And why the surveys are so important.  Months ago there was a report about the possibility of segregation of Lesbian and Gay troops when DADT was repealed which the Pentagon “promises” will never happen.  And now we hear that in the heavily skewed survey that the Pentagon has sent out that they are “finding deep resistance” in combat units.  Could they possibly be setting up the repeal to done in such a way that gays and lesbians will be able to serve but NOT in combat units like women during WW2, Korea, and Vietnam?

There is so much blame to go around on why this has happened..  Blame on the Obama Administration, and the President himself.  Blame on the Pentagon, certain Democrats, the entire obstructionist Republican Party (with a special shout out to Olympia Snowe and Blanche Lincoln for being cowards), John “Grandpa Munster” McCain and of course our shame and of course the monumental failure of the Human Rights Campaign.

This is a travesty and an insult to us all.  Gay and Straight.

We are no longer the most hated country in the world (except by our own countrymen) we are now the biggest laughingstocks

Federal Judge ORDERS Obama Administration To Stop All DADT Discharges Immediately"

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Earlier today U.S. District Judge Virginia A. Phillips who last month ruled that DADT was UNCONSTITUTIONAL saying that the “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” policy violates the 1st Amendment rights of lesbians and gay members,after hearing appreals (And of course the DOJ had to appeal it.) has ordered the Defense Department to ‘immediately to suspend and discontinue any investigation, or discharge, separation, or other proceeding.'”

ORDERS Defendants United States of America and the Secretary of Defense immediately to suspend and discontinue any investigation, or discharge, separation, or other proceeding, that may have been commenced under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Act, or pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 654 or its implementing regulations, on or prior to the date of this Judgment

This is probably the LAST chance that President Obama will have to take the easy route out and toput up or shut up. Blame the judge and don;t appeal.  Obama doesn’t have to fight this decision., the DOJ doesn’t have to seek a stay —  For the past year, a wide array of apologists have challenged that view.  What happens now will truly l tell you all you need to know about whether the Democratic party is on your side, or whether they are simply using you for your vote and your money. 

Expect a decision shortly from the White House.

Barney Frank: It Would Be An Unbelievable Travesty of Justice To Discharge Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach

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Barney Frank has actually said something about about the the possible impending discharge of Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach  Frank is asking the U.S. Air Force secretary to put an end his discharge proceedings altogether.

The day after the U.S. Air Force agreed to temporarily block the discharge of Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach, Rep. Barney Frank is asking [pdf] the U.S. Air Force secretary to put an end to discharge proceedings altogether.

Frank writes, “Under any circumstances, the decision to discharge Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach would be not only completely unfair, but a distortion of The Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. Now that we have agreement among The President, The House and the Senate Armed Services Committee that the policy should be abolished, it would be an unbelievable travesty of justice to discharge him. I strongly urge you to end the proceedings against Lt. Col. Fehrenbach”

Thats great Barney.  Thank you for FINALLY saying something because it really took you long enough to say stop the discharges under DADT.  I mean I know you are busy screaming at Fire Island Ferry Ticket Clerks about not getting your $1 Senior Discount and all,  But it is WELL PAST TIME that especially you, other gay and lesbian, and straight members of the Legislature who believe that DADT should be repealed should be standing up publicly and demanding that the discharges be stopped.  And not just for Ferenbach but for the thousands of other gay and lesbian soilders who could potentially be discharged while we wait for the idiots on the Hill to do something so right and so simple as repeal DADT. 

Frank, Pelosi, Reid, Polis. and all other on the Hill who believe that DADT should go. Show some backbone. STAND UP AND DEMAND that ALL discharges be HALTED under DADT and pressure Obama into signing an Executive Order.  THAT is YOUR job!

BREAKING NEWS! – Dan Choi Delivers Letter To Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid And Relinquishes West Point Ring (Video)

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From Pam’s House Blend comes the breaking news that Lt. Dan Choi who was just days ago “oficially” discharged from the United States Military under the United States disctiminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Policy for being gay has delivered a letter to Sen Reid about his military service,  DADT and his West Point ring at Rieds “Netroots Nation” appearance today.

July 24, 2010

The Honorable Harry Reid, Senate Majority Leader:


Dear Harry:


My West Point ring has always symbolized an irrevocable promise: my commitment to serving America and my duty to defend freedom and justice. Today, with my discharge from the army for telling the truth, the ring takes on a new meaning, serving as a symbol for the enduring pain of broken promises.

America was founded on the principles of inalienable rights, equality, and the promise of justice for all. But today, Americans remain segregated from that promise. Fired from our jobs, discriminated in the military, denied equal access to our own integrity and acknowledgement of our families, we cannot conclude that our country has manifested its own promise, over 230 years later.

You have also made personal promises to me that the senate would repeal military discrimination before the end of 2009. Indeed, you sent a letter to President Obama and Secretary Gates, claiming that was the most you could do to save my career. You promised to lead on repeal of discrimination. I believed your promise because you are the most powerful senator in America. Truly, no one can do more. The false hope of your promise has been made real to me today with another letter: the letter terminating my military service.

But I present this ring to you, symbolizing my promise as a fellow citizen: my service continues.

I promise I will hold you accountable to your obligations to lead in the effort to end discrimination, both in the workplace and in the military. My promise is not merely written on a piece of paper or words alone, but in the hearts of every lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender American fired from their jobs because of broken promises from those who purport to be our friends. History will judge us and conclude that the greatest obstacles to justice were not the loud rants of bigots, but the quiet fears of those unwilling to stand firm in the fulfillment of their commitments. I refuse to allow my friends register themselves in history as obstacles to justice.

I commit to you my renewed pledge and continued service. To you and all those “friends” who manipulate, deceive and exploit our community, I will serve as a reminder of the consequences we all pay when allegiance to political careers takes higher priority than allegiance to America’s promise.

Sincerely,
Lt. Dan Choi
US Army, Discharged under DADT

Poingant, bittersweet, and totally maddening that this has to happen.

Lt. Dan Choi Has Been Officiailly And Fully Discharged From The Army

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On June 29 Lt. Dan Choi’s discharge from the Army under the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy was finalized. Choi’s National Guard unit informed him by registered mail and with phone messages. Dan  has not publically disclosed the action.

On June 28, 2009 Choi talked with President Obama at a White House reception commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall rebellion,  Obama said to Choi and the crowd, “I believe ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ doesn’t contribute to our national security.” Obama had promised to repeal the law, which requires the military to fire any openly gay, lesbian or bisexual service member”

Two days later, a military review board in Syracuse, N.Y. recommended that the Army discharge 1st Lt. Dan Choi, and now one year later Choi has been offically released from service and is out of the Army.

WHEN will this bullshit end?

Nancy Pelosi Pushes Back After Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Admiral Michael Mullen’s "Don’t Repeal" DADT Letter – STOP DADT Discharges!

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Nancy Pelosi pushed back and called Defense Secretary Robert Gates and the White House’s bluff to the  letter sent this afternoon by Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Defense Secretary Robert Gates concerning the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy: By calling on the President to do the one thing that he said he would not do.  Place a moratorium on dismissals.
Pelosi is calling the White House’s bluff. She’s saying, if the Department of Defense is saying they don’t want to do repeal this year, and the White House isn’t in cahoots with them, then the President can issue an immediate moratorium on discharges and prove it.

“We all look forward to the report on the review of the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy by the Defense Department. In the meantime, the Administration should immediately place a moratorium on dismissals under this policy until the review has been completed and Congress has acted.”

Its nice to see Nancy Pelosi, taking a stand and taking on the President and the DOD directly.  Now THAT’S real leadership.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates to Congress: Do Not, Under Any Circumstances, Repeal DADT Until I’m Finished

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In what has to be the louidest and clearest message yet that the Obama administration and the Pentagon do not want to see a DADT repeal before November’s mid-term elections (oh, sorry, before the Defense Department wraps up its “investigation”), Defense Secretary Robert Gates sent a letter to the House Armed Services Committee warning them a repeal “would send a very damaging message to our men and women in uniform that in essence their views, concerns and perspectives do not matter.”

How very fucking nice of you to be so concerned with the views, concerns and perspectives, of the men and women in uniform.  Would you be so concerned if this was about desegregation of the troops or about allowing women to serve if they were already not allowed?

Oh and Gates you fucking homophobe bigot how about the gay men and women already in uniform who put thier lives on the line so old hacks like you can sit on your fat ass in Washington and spew such bullshit.. And  what about their partners? Are their perspectives not important, considering that they’re, you know, THE ONLY ONES IMPACTED BY DADT?

Maybe its not urgent to you,  But it is to them,

United States Air Force "Flip-Flops" And Reverses Decision To Discharge Lesbian Under DADT

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The U.S. Air Force has reversed its initial decision to not discharge Lt. Robin Chaurasiya under DADT after she revealedthat she is gay. Her case has been reviewed once again and she will indeed be discharged from the military.
From The LA Times:

“Chaurasiya’s said her case began in July after a male former officer she once dated had provided her commanding officer with evidence that she was a lesbian. The Air Force dismissed that complaint. But afterward, Chaurasiya, feeling slighted, decided to declare that she was a lesbian. In December, she and her partner were joined in a civil union in New Hampshire.

A subsequent Air Force investigation found credible evidence she was a lesbian, but determined she had declared her sexual orientation in an attempt to get out of military service. The general in charge refused to remove her.

The Air Force on Monday suggested the decision to discharge her resulted from new evidence. Chaurasiya said her partner was interviewed to determine if their civil union was real.”

So there you have it. 

April 25, 2010: America still hates gays.

America is fucked..

Number Of Gay Service Members Discharged In 2009 Under Obama’s Watch – 443!

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Released today by Servicemembers United is the final tally of discharges under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” for the 2009 fiscal year under Obama’s watch.

“The annual fiscal year ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ discharge statistic combines the total number of discharges reported by the Department of Defense, which was 428, with the total number of discharges reported by the Department of Homeland Security for the Coast Guard, which was 15. This brings the official 17-year total, according to the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security, to 13,425 discharges under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

Although only 443 total discharges are included in the official statistic for fiscal year 2009, the true number of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ discharges is very likely higher. When pressed by Servicemembers United, the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Freedom of Information Office confirmed on three separate occasions in late 2009 and early 2010 that the internal source of their annual ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ discharge numbers is the Defense Manpower Data Center, and that Defense Manpower Data Center statistics do not include discharges from the Reserves or the National Guard….The Department of Defense in general – and the Defense Manpower Data Center specifically – has consistently failed to disclose full information and data related to ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ discharges in blatant violation of the Freedom of Information Act. In response to one request for information by Servicemembers United in mid-2009, the Department of Defense took more than twice the amount of time allowable by law to produce less than one-tenth of one percent of the requested data – data that was not classified and not protected by the Privacy Act. Information requests from members of Congress, including House Armed Services Committee members, have also been only partially filled.”

Remember kids that all 443 discharges could have been stooped by a swipe of Obama’s pen on an Executive Order.