Ridiculous Comparison from a Congress Candidate

Why don't they just be honest and say "I don't like gays" instead of offering dumbass analogies?

[Republican Congressional nominee (MA-4) Sean] Bielat also did something else. He made a bizarre comparison when discussing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to the Boston Herald, arguing that gays should have no guaranteed right to serve in the military -- just like short people.

"There's no absolute right to serve. Men under the height of 5 feet, 2 inches can't serve -- I don't see anybody protesting. Where are the people standing in front of the White House, the short guys standing in front of the White House? You don't see it," Bielat told the Boston Herald. "We understand that there's no absolute right to serve in all these other areas," he continued.

It's kinda like saying if you have ears that look like satellite dishes you cannot serve in Congress.

Update: Beilat lost to Democratic incumbent Barney Frank.

He's not what he alludes to

Rich Iott, Republican House candidate in Ohio's 9th District, appears to be overstating his case.

The Monclova Township businessman often mentions his Ohio Military Reserve experience on the campaign trail and in mailings to prospective voters.

One glossy mailing portrays Mr. Iott in civilian and military garb and says, “Rich Iott understands the sacrifices our men and women in uniform have made because he serves himself.”

Another one says, “Reservist Rich Iott will stand up and fight for our veterans.”

But Mr. Iott's claim to be a member of the military, when he was never on active duty, have rankled those serving in or retired from the armed forces.

Retired Ohio Adjutant General John Smith, a Vietnam veteran who was once commander of the 180th Air National Guard fighter wing based at Toledo, said the OMR has no role in the national defense and has never been called up for duty.

“He's stretching it in terms of what the Ohio Military Reserve does. He's giving the impression, I would suggest, that he is involved in matters related to national security and to state matters, and they are not. They are never consulted,” General Smith said.

Update: Iott lost to Democratic Incumbent Marcy Kaptur.

What is Gibbs talking about?

Jeebus, answer the question. It's not as though David Gregory is a tough person to get interviewed by. Hell, I didn't even know anyone watched Meet The Press unless their satellite went out (video provided in the link).

Note that Gibbs will not say if Obama thinks DADT is unconstitutional. We've been trying to get an answer to that question directly for months. Instead, we're told he hasn't spoken to it. Same for DOMA. Please. Obama is a constitutional scholar. Laws that treat LGBT Americans as second-class citizens aren't just discriminatory. Judges have found them unconstitutional. Obama just won't say it. The White House must think it will look really bad if he goes to court to defend unconstitutional laws -- instead of just discriminatory laws. It looks bad, period.

Just watch Gibbs. Keep in mind that he's gotten DADT questions all week. Kerry Eleveld grilled him on Thursday. There's still no coherent response. They still don't have a plan:

So where are these "enormous consequences"?

..tick, tick, tick. Still nothing. (via GG)

At 2:00pm ET on Tuesday October 12, a federal Judge ordered the military to stop enforcing “don't ask, don't tell”. The Pentagon has announced that it is complying with the order. On Wednesday October 13, Defense Secretary Robert Gates declared that the suspension of the gay ban “has enormous consequences for our troops.”

The next day, the Pentagon stated that disruptions would occur in the short term: “Requiring the Department to cease all enforcement of DADT, immediately and worldwide, will cause significant disruptions to the force in the short term...” The Pentagon also suggested that it has not provided the troops with any training to prepare for the suspension of the ban: “…training programs cannot be provided instantaneously.” Research shows that two thirds of the troops know or suspect they know gay peers in their unit.

Above is a clock with the running total of hours during which gays have been allowed to serve openly, as well as a chart with the number of reported consequences of the new policy. The Palm Center has submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for documentation on all negative consequences that result from the new policy.

Our Question for Senator Scott Brown

Senator Scott Brown [R-MA] sent this e-mail, Our Petition to Harvard, to his supporters September 29:

Friend,

Recently, I pointed out the irony of Harvard's policy banning ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) from campus but welcoming illegal immigrant students.

I believe Harvard's priorities are upside-down. We should embrace and honor students who want to serve their country's military, not reject them. Since criticizing Harvard last week, I have heard from many of you that share my same frustration and I have decided to take action.

We are launching a petition to send a strong message to Harvard President Drew Gilpin Faust to stop excluding ROTC from the Harvard campus. I recognize that Harvard is a private institution and they have the right to determine, and pursue, their own policies. We too have a right to free speech and you can exercise this right by signing this petition to send a message to Harvard President Drew Gilpin Faust.

I respect Harvard and the pre-eminent role it has in the field of higher education. That is why it's important that it shows its respect for students training to be officers in the military.

Thanks for signing the petition to help turn Harvard right side-up!

Your Senator,

Scott Brown

P.S. We have a September 30 deadline to report publicly how much money we have raised - your contribution today will sustain a strong campaign for my reelection battle.

OYE Comment:

We agree with Senator Brown that Harvard and other elite universities should welcome ROTC back to campus. In fact, supporting their fair-minded graduates in serving our nation in uniform will do more to get rid of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" - in fact as well as in law - than their current avoidance strategy. [Except for its relevance to military service, immigration policy is off-topic.]

However, Senator Brown passed up an excellent opportunity to bring about ROTC's return to Harvard on September 21, when he joined other Republicans to continue to filibuster the Defense Authorization bill including repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Perhaps Senator Brown's real concern is campaign fundraising, not "respect for students training to be officers in [our] military."

So, here's our question:

Senator Brown, given your recent vote NOT to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," do you want to "embrace and honor [all] students who want to serve [our] country's military," or just the heterosexual ones?

KABOOM

Excellent interview with blogger/author/Veteran, Matt Gallagher.

Does U.S. apathy and ignorance bother you?
Yes. It’s an unintended consequence of having a voluntary force. People who lack a direct connection to the war are often unengaged. To a certain extent, I understand. People have lives. The economy is tanking. Pelicans are dying in oil. The last thing they want is more bad news. But every now and then, I get on my self-righteous soapbox. You describe moments of subtle defiance in the book. Under your uniform, for example, you wear socks featuring the Guinness beer logo and pink boxer shorts with skulls on them. It was a way of reminding myself that I was an individual. I could get the job done and do it well, but still be Matt. The military has a group culture — everyone wears the same uniform, cuts their hair the same way, eats the same food, speaks the same coded language — so it’s easy to forget who you are sometimes. You spout acronyms. Some are serious, like AO (area of operations), and some are humorous, like BCGs (birth control goggles — eyewear so ugly it deters the opposite sex).

Our Question for Ben Quayle, AZ3 Republican Nominee

To Duke University Graduate Ben Quayle:

What do you think of Secretary of Defense Gates' September 29 speech at Duke University, your alma mater?

And, if you're such a wimp that you can't/won't answer this simple question, why do you think the voters of AZ3 in the Phoenix area will elect you to Congress?