Lots of DADT News today unfoirtunately
1. The New York Times reported that an openly gay service member discharged under the policy attempted to reenlist yesterday and was turned away::
With a briefcase full of commendations under his arm, Omar Lopez walked into an Austin, Tex., recruiting office Wednesday. Mr. Lopez, 29, had served nearly five years in the Navy. He was honorably discharged in 2006 for “homosexual admission,” according to documents he carried. He wanted to re-enlist.
But recruiters turned him away hastily, saying they had no knowledge of any injunction or any change in military policy.
“I like the civilian world, but I miss it,” Mr. Lopez said of the military, as he arrived with a worker for Get Equal, a gay rights advocacy group. “I feel lost without it
Dan Woods, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs in the Log Cabin DADT case, has written a letter to lead DOJ attorney Paul Freeborne citing the article and noting that this may place the Defense Dept. in contempt of court and asked Freeborne to disclose “what steps the government has taken to communicate the terms and requirements of the Court’s order to military personnel, including field commanders and military recruiting offices. Which at that point was absolutely NONE.
2, An internal memo from the Air Force’s Lieutenant General Richard C. Harding was leaked today that instructed its JAG officers that until DoJ decides whether to appeal the DADT ruling, they must abide by the court injunction that says the military must move “immediately to suspend and discontinue any investigation, or discharge, separation, or other proceeding.”
3. And now it is OFFICIAL. the Department of Justice has requested an immediate stay on the overturn on DADT pending their appeal.
Justice Department attorneys filed the request to U.S. district judge Virginia A. Phillips in Riverside, Calif., this afternoon. Should Phillips deny the request for a stay, government attorneys are expected to file an emergency request to the U.S. court of appeals for the ninth circuit. Few were surprised by news, least of all the leadership of the Log Cabin Republicans, which will oppose the application for a stay of Phillips’s injunction. “After years of fighting this lawsuit, Log Cabin Republicans expected that the Obama administration would continue to pull out all the stops to defend ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’” said Christian Berle, deputy executive director of the organization. “Log Cabin Republicans will continue to advocate on behalf of the American service members who every day sacrifice in defense of our nation and our Constitution.”
Nice job, Mr. President. Completely demoralize a part of your base right before the midterm elections. Really smart move.
Why does anyone expect any more from an administration that is at best clueless and more likely bigoted.
America’s first Black President defending DISCRIMINATION.
Unfuckingbelieveable
October 16, 2010
President Barak Obama
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, D.C. 20500
RE: REPEALING DADT
Dear Mr. President,
The aide reading this, please hand this one to the president, personally. I’m tired of writing, and you are the one reading it rather than the President.
Mr. President the time is over for excuses. Enclosed are a list and explanations and 26 countries around the world that “for a long, long time” now have allowed and encourage GLBTQ’s to serve in their militaries. According to all of their statistics, there is NO EFFECT on readiness, preparedness, or professionalism. The garbage I hear Gates speaking about, and yourself, waiting like some kind of nincompoops for studies, and someone to take blame if this thing goes wrong in the U.S. has to stop. The time has come for you to step up, be a man, and end this whether it be by your pen, or we wait until our constipated Congress decides to give some people a break.
While we in the U.S. were passing a DADT law that was antiquated from the start, other countries were choosing to allow open service by gay and lesbians in their militaries. If you need some help sorting this out, please let me help you. I have never been in the military, but if you identify one person in Washington with some common sense, that’s your go to person to hash this little problem out. It is disgusting and demeaning and insulting for you to put this DADT issue off until after elections. I have no respect for anyone that puts that before human beings in pain. Have you even thought about what GLBTQ’s are thinking that are currently serving about someone filling out a “stupid” survey about THEM? Have you thought about how they feel, and all the emotional damage you’ve done allowing this to go on for 2 plus years on “YOUR WATCH”? Ask any health professional if you need facts; they will tell you what it has done and is doing to them.
I am sick and tired of you telling people that this will end “on your watch”. As I watch you wait and play political games, I lose respect for you as a person. After reading the enclosed, I cried. I find it appalling that we are so far behind in our thinking here in these United States. It’s mind boggling. Just remember every day you put ending DADT off, you hurt all persons currently serving or wanting to serve in the military. Like I said if you need help, just let me know. I have common sense. These 14,000 people or so that have been disgustingly discharged under this ignorant law, should be monetarily compensated for what they would have made had they not been discharged, people that are young enough and willing should be allowed to return to the military as soon as possible, same sex spouses of military personnel should get equal benefits as heterosexuals, all GLBTQ’s should be protected against discrimination of any kind during service, and all rules that currently apply for behavior sexual or otherwise are already there, so you needn’t spend any time on that. Our military already has standards and rules in place to address most all issues regarding GLBTQ’s. I did read one country that allows open service, gives gays and lesbians a choice if they prefer to shower in a separate area. Other than that, Mr. President, there isn’t much to think about now is there? It is oh so simple, and I cannot for the life of me figure out why we have to play these games in congress, and wait any longer to lift this ridiculous embarrassing ban on gays and lesbians. If I were you, I’d push for a constitutional amendment to give gays, lesbians, bisexual, and transgendered person’s full equality in all things here in the United States. They need protection and equality NOW!
Sincerely,
Albania
Gays and lesbians are allowed to serve in the military since 2008.