Memorial Day 2010

Yes, this weekend begins the summer, but let's not forget why it's a Federal Holiday: To honor our nation's war dead. "Funeral Duty" by Major General William Troy, written for Memorial Day 2008, is a good read for the occasion. Update: Here's the President's Weekly Address on this topic.

Yes, it's nice that elements of Armed Forces Day [May 15] and Veterans Day [November 11] are often thrown in, along with Rolling Thunder.

Although it's not necessarily on-topic, we think it's good that President Obama will pay his respects at a different National Cemetery this year, while Vice President Biden lays the wreath at Arlington. Section 60 holds several hundred of our heroes from OEF and OIF, but only about 10% of the total. The others are buried all over the country, and in some cases overseas.

We honor them this weekend, as well.

DADT Repeal: Key Votes in Congress today

This blog tends to focus on analytical commentary, so we'll be brief with these news items

The Senate Armed Services Committee voted 16-12 to start the process of repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." [10 U.S.C. Sec. 654] With the exception of Sen. Susan Collins [R-ME] and Jim Webb [D-VA], it was a party line vote.

Update: The full House of Representatives approved, 234-194, an amendment to the defense authorization bill to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," sponsored by Rep. Patrick Murphy [D-PA], the only Iraq veteran in Congress. Here's what we recently heard from him:

Dear Friend,

Today we are on the verge of history and I want to thank you for your support.

As the first Iraq war veteran to be elected to Congress, I feel I have a certain responsibility to our heroes in uniform. All of them.

When I was in Iraq, no one cared what someone’s sexual orientation was. All that mattered was whether or not you could fire a M4 Assault Rifle or kick down a door. It only mattered if you could do the job you were sent there to do and to make sure that everyone came home safe.

Every day I wear my 82nd Airborne All-American pin on my lapel. It's a constant reminder of the 19 men we lost in Iraq. It’s a constant reminder that we need to do everything we can for our troops abroad and for our veterans here at home.

Clearly "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” isn’t working. We spend tens of thousands of dollars to recruit new personnel while we discharge other qualified, dedicated military personnel solely because of their sexual orientation. American taxpayers have paid between $250 million and $1.2 billion to investigate, eliminate and replace servicemembers under this failed policy.

More than 13,500 qualified men and women, who would all take a bullet for their country, have been dismissed from service due to this discriminatory policy. This count includes over 800 medics, fighter pilots, and others deemed to be “mission critical.” Most baffling may be the 57 Arabic linguists who have been discharged under this law – linguists who, had they remained in the military, would today be translating vital information critical to our national security during time of war.

This is unacceptable. The time for repeal is NOW. And we’re closer than ever.

I want to again thank you for your support and to remind you all that although we are close, we will not be finished until repeal becomes law. Keep up the fight and I will continue to work hard to make repeal a reality.

Sincerely,


Patrick J. Murphy

OYE Comment:

Thank you, Rep. Murphy, for helping to restore our faith in America. He's a credible leader who's willing to lead.

Wars? What wars?

As usual Greenwald 'gets it'.

One significant cause of America's indifference to the wars we are waging is that those wars have virtually no effect on the overwhelming majority of Americans (at least no recognized effect), while they impose a huge cost on a tiny sliver of the population: those who fight the wars and their families. Hiatt acknowledges that fact: "it's yet another reminder of American society's separation from its professional military." If anyone would know about that, it's the endless-war-loving, nowhere near-a-battlefield Fred Hiatt.

Everyone from the Founders to George Orwell thought (and hoped) that the massive societal costs which wars impose would be a deterrent to their being fought, but, given the types of wars the U.S. chooses to wage, most Americans who express their "support" for them bear absolutely no perceived cost whatsoever. Worse, many who cheer for our wars enjoy that most intoxicating and distorting reward: cost-free benefits, in the form of vicarious feelings of strength, purpose, nobility and the like, all from a safe distance. It's very difficult to generate attention for political issues that Americans fail to perceive so directly and tangibly affect them -- that's why the failing economy receives so much attention and our various wars (and civil liberties erosions) do not.

Time to Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Rep. Patrick Murphy [D-PA], an Iraq War Veteran, has a great op-ed in Politico today on repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

'Don't Ask' counters American values

[Rep. Murphy begins with a great story from his service in Iraq, where lack of Arabic language capability placed his unit at risk. Our military has discharged 60 Arabic speakers under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Seriously.]

Attitudes toward don’t ask, don’t tell have shifted dramatically since 1993 — in both the military and civilian worlds.

Polls consistently put public support for repealing the ban at about 75 percent nationally. The number is even higher among adults ages 18-29 — a statistic that counters claims that repealing the ban would hurt recruitment or retention.

I am not alone in my feeling that don’t ask, don’t tell is detrimental to our military readiness and national security. I am joined by former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. John Shalikashvili, former Army Secretary Clifford Alexander, former Naval Academy Superintendent Adm. Charles Larson and Gen. Barry McCaffrey.

Even Colin Powell, a former strong supporter of don’t ask, don’t tell, has said that it is time to re-evaluate the law.

Since I’ve taken leadership of this issue, nearly 50 more members of Congress have signed onto my legislation to repeal don’t ask, don’t tell, bringing the total to 192. [ . . . ]

[Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell] is the right decision for our national security and our military. As Mullen so eloquently stated, “It comes down to integrity — theirs as individuals and ours as an institution.”

OYE Comment:

Both the entire House of Representatives and the Senate Armed Services Committee will be considering repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" next week, before Memorial Day. Please let your Representative [1-202-225-3121] and Senators [1-202-224-3121] know you support repeal.

Of special importance are the following Senators on the Armed Services Committee:

Robert C. Byrd (D-West Virginia)
Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska)
Bill Nelson (D-Florida)
Evan Bayh (D-Indiana)
Jim Webb (D-Virginia)
Scott Brown (R-Massachusetts)

Let's get this done!

Hat tip to AmericaBlog and AmericaBlog Gay.

Richard Blumenthal: Reflections on Yellow Elephants [Democrats as well as Republicans]

The media is swarming with commentary, observations and interpretations of Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal [D], now running for Senate, who, on numerous occasions, falsely claimed in public to have served in Vietnam. [He served in the Marine Corps Reserve, exclusively in the U.S., during the Vietnam era and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant.] Since he's too old to serve now, our topic does not concern him, except as follows:

Our Message to the Yellow Elephants:

This applies to politically ambitious young men [especially if single and childless] with Democratic or Republican political ambitions: Don't become Richard Blumenthal. Be A Man! Enlist!

If you are in your twenties or early thirties, you're still young enough to serve in our military, including as an officer. [The "maximum age" to enlist in the Army Reserve without prior service is still 41-or-under, and age waivers remain available, but only based on service need.]

You are at a stage of life where you can take a chance, try something different, and be a part of something greater than yourself.

Think a few years down the road, when you're seeking public office or even running for Congress: Did you Man Up? Did you at least try to, by contacting a recruiter? Did you seek to give of yourself first, before asking people to do the same for you?

In the end, and looking back, if our military did not want you, at least you gave them the opportunity, and let them decide. You can move on with your life, hold your head high, and be proud of your future accomplishments, whatever they may be. There are many ways to serve our country, including in war zones, even if you can't wear the uniform yourself.

And if you are accepted by our military, it will change your life, and you will be proud that you served. And nobody can call you Daddy's Girl or Mommy's Girl, because you did it yourself.

Be A Man! Enlist!

Democratic Senate Candidate falsely claimed Vietnam service

The New York Times reports today that Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has falsely claimed on the campaign trail to have served in Vietnam, when he did not. Although his official Attorney General bio, and his campaign bio, merely state [correctly] that he served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant, the New York Times website includes a video [scroll down, on left] from early 2008 in which he said that he served in Vietnam.

“We have learned something important since the days that I served in Vietnam,” Mr. Blumenthal said to the group gathered in Norwalk in March 2008. “And you exemplify it. Whatever we think about the war, whatever we call it — Afghanistan or Iraq — we owe our military men and women unconditional support.”

OYE Comment:

Accuracy about military service is essential. Subjects of inaccurate reporting, of which they are aware, have a responsibility to clarify any ambiguities and demand correction on the record. Media organizations, including editors, must ensure that the editing processes preserve factual accuracy. Sloppiness is unacceptable.

Not only is this essential for institutional and personal credibility, but it also honors the genuine service and sacrifice of our true heroes.

Update: Here's the NY Times Public Editor on Mr. Blumenthal's description of his military service. Note the next-to-last para. OYE checked his official and campaign biographies and mentioned their accurate description in our posting. All of that said, however, the NY Times did report the truth.

Another Yellow Elephant: Christopher Cox, grandson of former President Richard Nixon

Meet Christopher Cox, running for the Republican nomination for Congress in New York's First District on eastern Long Island.

He's thirty-three and (we assume), healthy and heterosexual. He is also engaged to be married. What does this mean?

Chris Cox was AWOL in the GWOT! As a single man in his twenties on 9/11/2001, even a President and Congress controlled by his own party could not inspire him to Be A Man! Enlist!

And now, without paying his dues, he wants to serve in Congress! Mommie's Girl this time.

GI Film Festival: Don't Miss It [next year]!

Today is Armed Forces Day. This weekend also features the GI Film Festival at the Carnegie Institute in Washington, D.C.

This is the event for makers of military-themed films to present them to the public. Many World Premieres took place.

This year marks the fourth annual GI Film Festival. Look for expansion in 2011!

Sen. James Inhofe, proud homophobe

Just have to hope this type of bigotry goes away as generations pass.

In an interview with American Family Association (AFA) radio yesterday, Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) argued against repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT), arguing that basically, members of the U.S. military are too bigoted to be willing to fight and die for the “guy in the next foxhole” if that guy happens to be gay:

INHOFE: For those of us — and I’m one of them — who have gone
through the military, gone through basic training, and you stop and think — it just doesn’t make any sense. Second of all, it’s just not working. You have women, men, then you have a third group to deal with, and they’re not equipped to do that.

And you know — you hear the stories all the time. A military guy — I happen to be Army, and Army and Marines always feel that when we’re out there, we’re not doing it for the flag or the country; we’re doing it for the guy in the next foxhole. And that would dramatically change that.

A Letter to President Obama

From a victim of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

May 11, 2010

President Barack H. Obama
The White House
1600
Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

It was five months before the September 11th attacks when I found myself outside a military recruiters office signing up for the U.S. Navy. I could no longer afford college. And things in my personal life weren’t going according to plan. I wanted to experience life outside of southeastern Pennsylvania. I enlisted on a random Friday in April of 2001 and left for boot camp the following Monday. I was a recruiter's dream candidate.

My first tour of duty was the prestigious Ceremonial Guard in Washington, D.C., where I represented our country at official White House ceremonies and during state and military funerals at Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

In my two-year period, I was present at more than 1500 military funerals as part of the Firing Party rendering the 21-gun salute. It was here that I learned what truly serving our great nation really meant, and the ultimate price we all swore to pay, if fate was so. Standing on the berm, across the river from a burning Pentagon on September 11th only solidified my desire to serve.

My desire to serve my country continued while I completed my training as a Hebrew Linguist and began working in the field at Fort Gordon, Georgia. But I was also struggling with my own self discoveries.

In 2004, I filed paperwork annulling my marriage because I realized that I was gay. Keeping with the Navy's core values of honesty and integrity, and very much naive to the severity of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” I provided the military with copies along with a written statement to my commander, which subsequently resulted in my discharge under the law.

I was ousted from the service I loved, facing a recoupment of $13,000 sign-on bonus I received, and ushered to the gate. I felt shunned, broken and confused.

After a year of recovery, I received a letter recalling me back to service. While I didn't understand why, I had an overwhelming sense of joy to return to the service I so loved.

I was sent to Kuwait for a year with the U.S. Navy Customs Battalion Romeo in 2006 where I continued to garner accolades for my service and even upped in rank, all while serving completely open. My immediate commanders and colleagues were aware that I had been discharged once under DADT and knew that I was gay, yet they supported me because I was a great sailor.

After the March 2007 comments by General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where he expressed his personal views of homosexuality as "immoral," I decided to express my own personal feelings in a letter to the editor. This resulted in my second discharge under DADT, but I was willing to accept it.

Mr. President, “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” must be repealed. This law forces good people to lie, evade and mislead their fellow comrades and commanders and goes against the very core values of the military service in which we serve. It forces undue stress in the lives of those that must hide.

With a military stretched thin between two wars, now is the time to stop discharging men and women who valiantly serve our nation, many who are in mission critical jobs. Repeal “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” now.

Very Respectfully,

Jason Daniel Knight
Former Petty Officer 2nd Class, U. S. Navy

Andrew Sullivan on Elena Kagan: We Agree

from Andrew Sullivan:

Barring The Military From Campus:

This will, inevitably, be an issue in the Kagan nomination. Peter Beinart explains his position here. And, for what it's worth, I agree with him. The Obama administration's policy - which was Clinton's and Bush's - is that servicemembers can still be fired solely because of their sexual orientation. It's wrong, counter-productive, harmful to national security, and based on bigotry. But barring the entire military from recruiting at Ivy League schools as a response seems deeply wrong to me. We can still honor the military while disagreeing with its recruitment policies. And ensuring that the best students are available for recruitment is one way to reform the military, not enable it in one specific area.

OYE Comment:

We agree with Andrew Sullivan. However, Peter Beinart is still a pussy.

It's Elena Kagan for SCOTUS

So, President Obama has nominated Solicitor General Elena Kagan [left] for the Supreme Court.

As the above New York Times pic shows, the Obama Administration sees a vulnerability in her record as Harvard Law School Dean on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," although this may provide a needed "push" to exercise Presidential leadership with Congress to repeal the policy this year.

We would hope that, if confirmed, Ms. Kagan would appreciate the sacrifices of real people in the service of our country, and how all are served when institutions of civil society engage even when it may make them feel uncomfortable, rather than disengage just to feel better.

Needed on Supreme Court: A Veteran

from the New York Times:

For President Obama, Many Gaps to Fill on the Bench

Many argue that the Supreme Court lacks diversity. As President Obama closes in on a nominee, 10 legal experts make their case for the kind of justice the court needs.

A Veteran

When Justice John Paul Stevens retires, the Supreme Court will be left without a sitting war veteran. He enlisted in the Navy the day before Pearl Harbor and, as an intelligence officer, was involved with the code-breaking efforts in the Pacific. Decades later, Justice Stevens’s service gave him a visceral appreciation for war and the military institution, and left in him a healthy skepticism toward executive power, particularly the use of that power in wartime. This carried forward into some of his most important opinions, as in Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, in 2006, which ruled military commissions inconsistent with the Geneva conventions and America’s system of military justice.

The court’s impending military gap reflects America’s widening civil-military divide: fewer than one percent of Americans serve in the armed forces and, consistent with these numbers, fewer veterans now serve in Congress or on the federal bench than at any time since World War II. But our nation remains at war, and many of the court’s toughest cases arise out of these wars, from battlefield contracts to warrantless surveillance. The Supreme Court needs a new justice who will bring national security credentials, and a personal connection to the military, to its cloistered chambers.

— PHILLIP CARTER, Iraq war veteran and former deputy assistant secretary of defense for detainee policy

Action Alert: Contact the White House on DADT

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network has issued an Action Alert:

Late Friday evening [30APR] when most reporters and bloggers were just starting Happy Hour -- the Obama Administration shot a simultaneous salvo -- from the Pentagon and the White House, against advocates fighting for repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" this year.

In a letter to the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Secretary Gates came out against lifting the ban before the Pentagon's Working Group finishes its DADT study in December. Hours later, the White House issued a statement deferring to Gates. In doing so, President Obama appeared to reverse the commitment he made during his State of the Union Address to end this terrible law.

"This year, I will work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are. It's the right thing to do."

Immediately following release of the Gates-Obama letter, I called on the President to keep his promise and help us get the votes we need to end DADT this year.

"We have the votes in the House and we're close to having the votes in the Senate Armed Services Committee -- the President, however, is not helping us to get the votes we need. Service members around the world took the President at his word; we still do."

Tell President Obama that backsliding on his own promise is not real leadership. There is a path forward to repealing DADT and allowing the Pentagon Working Group to finish its review on how best to implement repeal. Senator Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) are working right now on a winning compromise.

They're not giving up. SLDN isn't giving up. Tell President Obama not to give up either.

Call the White House today.

(202) 456-1414 [9:00 am - 5:00 pm ET]

We believed the President when he promised to end DADT in 2010. But now our brave men and women in uniform might not see repeal for another year or even longer.

Our LGBT service members who risk their lives for freedom every day deserve better than more delay and politics-as-usual.

Tell the White House that kicking repeal down the road yet again is not an option.

Call the White House and demand President Obama work with our congressional heroes to end DADT once and for all.

(202) 456-1414 [9:00 am - 5:00 pm ET]

Stand with SLDN and help make 2010 the year we finally kill DADT.

Thank you.

Aubrey Sarvis
SLDN Executive Director

Hat tip to AmericaBlog.

Veterans Lobby Day on DADT: May 10-11, Washington, DC

Operation Yellow Elephant repeats its strong endorsement of Veterans Lobby Day, May 10-11, Washington, DC, presented by Servicemembers United and the Human Rights Campaign, to urge Congress to get rid of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

This is a one-time-only event to Seize the Moment! There was a great protest in front of the White House yesterday; we have the momentum!

All Americans, including civilian supporters, are invited and most welcome. Let's do whatever we can to bring our country back together.

Lady Gaga: Send a care package to Afghanistan!

Our troops in Afghanistan made this video of Lady Gaga's "Telephone" and it's gone viral. As the Washington Post suggested, it's time for Lady Gaga to Send Something Homemade.

Maybe even make a donation to Fisher House. How about a USO tour?

Hat tip to Andrew Sullivan.