Wisdom or Folly

That Congressman Lungren is in favor of DADT at this time but is willing to listen and look at the data with an open mind.

So as far as his staff was concerned per our conversation he is undecided, but it does not look optimistic.

here is the letter and let me preface three points

1.Secretary Gates and his Joint Chief Admiral Mullen Both feel it is time to repeal

2. Military has time and time again lead the way for Social change and Social Justice

3. General Powell as other Conservatives now believe it is time to repeal DADT

Dear Mr. Greene,

Thank you for contacting my office regarding the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1283).  I appreciate learning of your views.

This bill would repeal current Department of Defense policy concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces.  It would prohibit the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security, with respect to the Coast Guard when it is not operating as a service in the Navy, from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation against any member of the Armed Forces or any person seeking to become a member.  The bill would also authorize the re-accession into the Armed Forces of otherwise qualified individuals previously separated for homosexuality, bisexuality, or homosexual conduct.  Finally, it would require such Secretaries to ensure that regulations governing the personal conduct of members of the Armed Forces are written and enforced without regard to sexual orientation.

In effect, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act would eliminate 10 U.S.C. 654, the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy of the US Military.

The so-called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy was adopted by the Clinton Administration after some deliberation over the appropriate policy.  In reaching this policy decision, they weighed the interests of group coherency and individual autonomy.  On the battlefield, most military personnel gave more weight to the former consideration.  Former Secretary of State General Colin Powell stressed this issue at the time.

I think that the burden of proof must rest with those who seek to make a change in the Clinton Administration determination.  The military is not the best organization for social experimentation and those who seek a change in the current policy have a responsibility to demonstrate how that it will advance the mission borne by the military to defend the nation.  At this time, the Democratic Chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services, which has jurisdiction over this policy, has stated he has serious concerns with reversing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Please be assured that I will keep your views in mind should this legislation come to the House floor for a vote.

Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me.

If you would like to stay informed about federal legislation introduced in the 111th Congress, as well as local issues that may interest you, please take a moment to subscribe to my weekly e-newsletter at www.lungren.house.gov.

I look forward to discussing this or any other issue affecting our 3rd Congressional District with you in the future.  For upcoming Town Hall meetings, or for information on issues or legislation pending before Congress, please visit my website at www.lungren.house.gov.  If you need assistance with a federal agency, please call my Gold River office at (916) 859-9906.  My staff and I are always available to address your concerns, answer your questions, and listen to your ideas.

Sincerely,

Daniel E. Lungren

I do not know if he will be swayed,  I do believe it is time and the right thing to do. To be able to serve openly and with Integrity should be given the weight it deserves.

Our men and woman of the armed forces are professionals through and through and will be able to ajust to the change.  We were able to adjust to  the integration of races, and also of the sexes in the armed forces.  I am sure we can also survive this,  remember Gays and Lesbians have been serving in the closet since 1993 when DADT was implemented.

It cheapens us as a nation and its proven this antiquated law has weakened our ability to fight these wars that we are in right now by discharging key personnel.

Also it tells a portion of  our men and woman who are expected to sacrifice there very life for our country that they need to lie about who they are to serve.

And that is wrong.

[post]

Since critical thinking is obviously not taught in schools now it Seems that Zero Tolerance policies are ideal for Dense administrators of public schools. That do not know how to apply proper punitive discipline to there students to to try to change a behavior to help the child along as they grow into adulthood.  Instead of putting them into the actual penal system for a minor infraction.

As What happened to Alexa Gonzalez, who was arrested put in handcuffs and walked out of her school and across the street to a local police department. All because she scribed on her desk “I love my friends Abby and Faith. Lex was here 2/1/10 :)” with a green marker.

this is what Alexa told the media

“They put the handcuffs on me, and I couldn’t believe it,” Alexa recalled. “I didn’t want them to see me being handcuffed, thinking I’m a bad person.”

These new policies seem to take all need for sound reason and conventional wisdom on how to mitigate discipline to maintain control in the public schools. even if the zero tolerance rule was put in place for violence or the threat of violence. This new and creative way it is being applied means we can put more mentally challenged people into gainful employment.

via CNN.com.

[post]

A new Washington Post-ABC News poll finds that the vast majority of Americans are vehemently opposed to a recent Supreme Court ruling that opens the door for foreign and domestic corporations, labor unions, and other organizations to spend money directly from their general funds to influence campaigns.

Man maybe there is hope for America

via Left and right united in opposition to controversial SCOTUS decision – Yahoo! News.

[post]

Well they came back with a resounding YES it is time to repeal DADT.  And since then other Conservatives including General Powell, and Dick Chenney have come out of the repeal DADT closet also in favor of letting gays and lesbians serving openly in the military.

Well I have sent an email.  I also  called Congressman Lungren  twice.  First time someone was suppose to call me back. which did not happen.  And just a few minutes ago I called was put on hold then told  that  the the Aide responsible for his view on DADT repeal was in a meeting and the best way to get his position was to send an email.

Why do I feel I’m getting the run around.

Article in Newsweek by  Yoni Schoenfeld which I assume its the Gay officer that the storie is about because it is written in the 1st person.

The article speaks of his journey out of the closet as a military man in Israel

And so, oddly enough, it was my military service that helped me make sense of my sexual orientation.

and how he got  professionalism and support from his peers and commanders  go figure

As Israelis, we are taught from a young age to admire the United States. The American dream offers an alternative to the somewhat harsh reality of life in the Middle East. But that dream has been betrayed by the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that governs gay and lesbian service in the U.S. military. Repealing it will help America fall in line with what many other countries have already accepted—that, in the 21st century, sexual preferences should not be a matter of shame or secrecy, not even in the military. The thought of living a lie while serving—of not being able to share one’s personal life with fellow fighters and commanders—is hard to bear. (And it’s ridiculous: if Israel, a nation that is forever on high alert, can defend itself just fine with open homosexuals in its defense forces, then any other nation’s army should also be able to integrate.)

Maybe we can learn from Israel.  This is a country on a constant high level of alert and readyness and they do not seem to have an issue with morale or unit cohesion.

And for Gay Men and Lesbians I think we need to understand that their Morale suffers but living a lie for their country.  Why so there straight fellow servicemen and woman can be more comfortable come on grow up people.

via My Turn: Being Gay in the Military – Newsweek.com.

Gayle and I are getting ready to go over to CNN to be with Larry King tonight and be on “Larry King Live.” See you all there!

via Twitter / Ted Haggard: Gayle and I are getting re ….