Rep. Joe Pitts urges Americans to Support Our Troops in GOP Weekly Radio Address

Rep. Joe Pitts [R-PA], a Vietnam veteran, thanked our heroes in harm's way, including first responders, and urged Americans to think of our deployed servicemembers in the Republican Weekly Radio Address:

Hello, I’m Joe Pitts, and I have the great honor of serving the people of Pennsylvania’s Sixteenth Congressional District.

As another year comes to a close, the American people rise to meet the challenges of our time with resolve and determination. Before tackling the challenges that lie ahead, we join together to reflect on our blessings. [ . . . ]

In this time of year when we gather to celebrate family and fellowship, we are reminded of the fulfillment that comes from humbly serving one another.

We see the spirit of the season in the simple acts of kindness to aid families less fortunate.

We see it in our servicemembers who raise their hands and volunteer for extraordinary tasks in the defense of freedom. Many of these brave men and women are spending this holiday season far from our shores.

As a Vietnam veteran myself, I know the stress of being separated at this time of year. To those wearing the uniform in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world at this hour, know that we are behind you and we join your loved ones in praying for your safe return home.

To those standing watch closer to home – all the doctors, nurses, and emergency responders working around the clock, we thank you as well. We don’t always realize how much these tireless individuals give of themselves to patients and their families.

[ . . . ]

And let us strive to listen to one another, to treat one another with dignity and respect, and to do our part to see that the promise of the American Dream is fully realized for our children and their children.

May the peace and goodwill of this holiday season be with you and yours. Thank you for listening. Merry Christmas.

OYE Comment:

We thank Rep. Joe Pitts for his service to our country, both as an Air Force officer and in Congress.

While he voted against repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," we trust that he will acknowledge that Congress, in accordance with Article I, Section 8, of our Constitution, has made a decision, and the President has signed the legislation; thus, Rep. Pitts can best Support Our Troops, "to treat one another with dignity and respect," by supporting full, effective and speedy implementation of the new law.

The best way any private citizen can Support Our Troops is by at least considering volunteering for military service, if qualified [healthy and 41-or-under], or, if not personally eligible, encouraging one's own relatives and friends, one's circle of influence, to do the same.

We hope that the Republican National Committee and other party organizations, as well as their counterparts in the Democratic Party, will fulfill their national leadership responsibility to set a good example for the rest of us.

Even a simple press release is better than silence.

A holiday deployed is an awesome bonding experience, even though everyone is still working long hours, etc. Sending something homemade is always appreciated, especially in January and February. If you can't make something yourself, ask around [or check on the web] and send something specifically requested. Our deployed servicemembers will be very grateful.

Our best to all for the Holiday Season.

A Christmas Story: Conscientious Objector

Slate interviewed a credible conservative, Josh Stieber, who at age 13 in 2001 decided to join our military and act on what he believed.

Not many people did, hence this blog.

Well, during his deployment, he came to believe that he could no longer serve, and followed the established process to apply for Conscientious Objector status, which was approved. He was discharged as a conscientious objector and is now a civilian.

We wish him well.

It's "Our Military" now, not "The Military" any more

Thanks to principled leadership in the Executive and Legislative Branches of Our Government, with a timely assist from the Judicial Branch, the policy decision has been made by the American people, through their elected representatives in Congress, that otherwise qualified Americans are eligible for military service without regard to sexual orientation.

That means that all Americans can embrace the military, beginning by calling it "Our Military." It's Our Military because We are the society which it serves, from which it recruits, and to which Our Veterans, Our Wounded Warriors, and Our Heroes who have made the Supreme Sacrifice, return, all of whom, including surviving family members and caregivers, deserve the full support of every one of us.

With "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" on the way out, it's time for Harvard and Columbia and other elite institutions to welcome the return of ROTC to campus, to embrace Our Military by encouraging and supporting the desires of their students - all of their students - to Serve America in uniform.

No more excuses.

While our All-Volunteer Force will never have exact proportional representation, it is possible for more Americans to personally know enlisted servicemembers and junior officers, those most at risk in combat, if more or all Americans, from all parts of our society, would either volunteer to serve themselves [if healthy and 41-or-under], or, if not personally eligible, encourage their eligible relatives and friends, their circles of influence, to consider serving, even if they have other options.

This would help to unite Our Country.

Don't worry. We haven't forgotten the Yellow Elephants. With the Republican party poised to take over the House of Representatives next month, they still have a national leadership responsibility, shared with the Democratic party, to set a good example for the rest of us.

Senate Repeals DADT: 65-31; West Virginia's Joe Manchin was AWOL

That's the final vote and the big hurdle. Some time will be required for the details, but SLDN's Aubrey Sarvis says the Obama Administration should do its part in the first quarter of 2011.

Operation Yellow Elephant salutes Democratic Senators, including Jim Webb [VA], and those Republicans with the courage and integrity to do the right thing for our troops and our country: Scott Brown [MA], Richard Burr [NC], Susan Collins [ME], John Ensign [NV], Mark Kirk [IL], Lisa Murkowski [AK] Olympia Snowe [ME] and George Voinovich [OH].

Let's not forget West Virginia's new Democratic Senator, Joe Manchin, who didn't show up, claiming a long-planned family event. Well, Senator Manchin, there are times when the national leadership responsibility YOU sought trumps even family concerns. We're disappointed, as are all West Virginians. If you had the courage of your convictions and showed up to vote No, we would still respect you for at least considering the issue and making a decision, even if it wasn't what we wanted.

Our first Yellow Donkey is West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin!

Update: Senator Manchin apologized for missing the DADT and other votes.

Senate Preliminary Victory: 63-33

Wow! Earlier today, the Senate voted, 63-33, to end debate or something on the stand-alone repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Final vote is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. today.

Of course, once the President signs the legislation, there are still various certifications, followed by a 60-day waiting period, before "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is officially gone and off the books forever. SLDN insists that this be accomplished in the first quarter of 2011.

This is amazing. When our national civilian political leadership listens to real people, and does the right thing, it really helps to restore our faith in America.

Senate Votes Today: Support Our Troops by Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

OK, everybody. This is it. The Senate is to vote today at around 11:00 a.m. Last Wednesday, the House passed this legislation with a 75-vote margin.

We know that our troops' morale will be greatly improved if the Senate does the right thing and repeals "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Here's why:

Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" will show our troops deployed in harm's way that the American people, through their elected Representatives and Senators in the Legislative Branch of our government, really care about them, that they have the character to discern the right thing to do, and the courage actually to do it.

More that mere platitudes by political wanna-bes, and more than the College Republicans collecting discount store-bought stuff like Chapstick at their National Convention in 2005, to box up and send somewhere, because they don't know any enlisted servicemembers or junior officers, those most at risk in combat.

Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is about national leadership responsibility to make the tough decisions that the American people elected YOU to do.

'Sort of like Sending Something Homemade.

Virginians: Call Jim Webb

Virginians, it's your turn.

Please call Senator Jim Webb [D] at 202-224-4024. Urge him to support repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

We want Virginia to be on the right side of history.

Lobby the Senate: Friday 17 December

Servicemembers United has announced yet another Lobby Day, Operation Renewed Engagement, Friday 17 December, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

We understand it's snowing or something in Washington, but now's the time to show you have the guts and that you really care.

If you can't be there in person, pick up the phone: +1-202-224-3121. Thank you.

Hat tip to AmericaBlog Gay.

DADT Update: the Senate

It's on to the Senate. Senator Scott Brown [R-MA] has announced his support for repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, joining fellow Republicans Lisa Murkowski [AK] and Olympia Snowe [ME]. Senator Susan Collins [ME] was the only Republican to support repeal December 9.

West Virginia gay veteran Pepe Johnson delivered nearly a thousand petitions to his Democratic Senator, Joe Manchin, yesterday. We thank West Virginians for making their concerns known to their new Senator, and hope he will do the right thing for our troops and our country, which is also the right thing for West Virginians.

Wherever you are, please pick up the phone: 1-202-224-3121.

Senator Manchin [D-WV] tries to explain

Newly elected Senator Joe Manchin [WV] was the only Democratic Senator to vote against repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, in a procedural vote Thursday December 9, 2010.



OYE Comment:

At least Senator Manchin acknowledged not knowing much about the issue. It's time for all people of good will, especially in West Virginia, to educate him on why repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is the right thing to do for our troops and our country.

West Virginians: Your New Senator Must Lead!

Newly elected Senator Joe Manchin [D-WV] voted against the Senate repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," supposedly because, "as a Senator of three weeks, [he had] not had the opportunity to visit and hear the full range of viewpoints of the citizens of West Virginia."

Well, Senator Manchin, one of your constituents, Pepe Johnson [video @ 2:09] of Clarksburg, a member of the West Virginia Army National Guard and a combat veteran, looks forward to meeting with you in the very near future to educate you, not only on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," but also on your leadership responsibility as an elected Senator to make decisions on the future of our nation.

Here's more from Senator Manchin's Statement:

“Furthermore, while I may disagree with a repeal of DADT at this time, some believe that President Obama, as Commander-in-Chief, if he so chooses, has the authority to suspend discharges under DADT, if he deems it a matter of national security. In fact, I asked this question during the second day of hearings on the repeal of DADT. If this is correct, and the President was to make such an order, while I may disagree with it, I would respect his authority as President to do so.”

Excuse us, Senator Manchin, but you seem to have forgotten the U.S. Constitution, which YOU swore to support and defend when YOU were sworn in as a United States Senator less than a month ago.

Please take a look at Article I, Section 8, which includes among the Powers of Congress, "To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces." This is the basis for Congressional enactment of 10 U.S.C. Section 604, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and on which the Executive Branch has defended the law in the Federal Courts.

Sorry, Senator Manchin, but you cannot shirk your obligations and delegate - even to the President - YOUR power and authority to do YOUR JOB, which the citizens of West Virginia just elected YOU to do.

Senator Manchin, we are confident that you will rise to the occasion once your constituents - THIS WEEKEND - have educated you, both on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and on YOUR responsibilities as their Senator.

Don't wimp out. Thank you very much.

SLDN December 10 Rally: Don't Go Home!

One day after the Senate's failed [57-40; 60 votes needed] bid December 9 to take up the Defense Authorization legislation, including a repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," SLDN and many other organizations held a rally on the Senate side of the Capitol. Former USAF Major Mike Almy of Ohio had a message for his Senator, George Voinovich:



OYE Comment: If you're from Ohio, please let Senator Voinovich [202-224-3121] know you want him to do right for our troops - all of them.

Rally @ the Senate: Friday December 10, 12:00 noon: Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell!"

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network has announced a rally, "Mission Incomplete: No Senate Vacation until DADT is Repealed," for Friday, December 10, 2010, at noon, Upper Senate Park, on the north side of the Capitol, at Constitution and Delaware Avenues, N.E. Metro Union Station [Red Line].

All real Americans should insist that the Senate do its job and vote on repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

If you can make it to Washington, be there!

Young Democrats of America: Be A Man! Enlist!

The Young Democrats of America seems not to be as active as the Young Republicans, but it's still their duty, as future leaders of our nation, to Support Our President by setting a good example for the rest of us.

We've asked the Young Democrats of America whether they have even bothered to encourage their members [35 and under], if healthy and (currently) heterosexual, at least to consider volunteering for military service.

We'll let you know how, or whether, they respond.

Update: The contact e-mail address on their website does not appear to be working. Additional evidence, apparently, that the Young Democrats are not as active as the Young Republicans.

The Pentagon Report on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

The Pentagon released its long-awaited Report of the Comprehensive Review of the Issues Associated with a Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Monday November 30 and we've finally read it. The first 151 pages, that is, everything but the Appendices which have even more details including a breakdown of answers to the survey questions.

Every American who cares about our military should read it. At least some of the right-wing clowns, such as the Washington Times Editorial Board, could have avoided embarrassment with the following:

Perhaps that's why the working group held 51 "information exchange forums" at bases only in the United States, Germany and Japan. Minimizing the views of those serving in combat situations in Iraq and Afghanistan helped further dilute the potential for a negative response.

Had they bothered to read the Report, they would have seen on p. 34 an explanation:

At the Secretary's direction, Independent Exchange Forums [IEFs] were not conducted in Iraq and Afghanistan to avoid interference with the missions there. However, at installations such as Fort Hood, Fort Bragg, Fort Benning, Camp Lejeune, and elsewhere, the Comprehensive Review Working Group encountered large numbers of Service members who had deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan one or more times, or were preparing to deploy. These Service members shared their perspectives concerning the impact of repeal in combat situations and deployed environments.

Our military has conducted top-down mandated training in deployed environments, including Suicide Prevention training which my unit leader in Iraq did personally; it took less than 90 minutes and was very well done. If the right-wing has so little confidence in our Department of Defense's civilian and military leadership's ability to do the right thing right, well, we don't see any of them publicly calling on heterosexuals to Be A Man! Enlist!, much less doing so themselves [if eligible], or encouraging their own relatives and friends, their circles of influence, to volunteer to Serve Our Nation in uniform.

To his credit, Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown [R] has announced his support for repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell:

“I have visited our injured troops at Walter Reed and have attended funerals of our fallen heroes,’’ [Sen. Brown] said in a statement. “When a soldier answers the call to serve, and risks life or limb, it has never mattered to me whether they are gay or straight. My only concern has been whether their service and sacrifice is with pride and honor.’’

He also said he felt comfortable that Secretary of Defense Robert Gates would adopt a repeal only “when the battle effectiveness of the forces is assured and proper preparations have been completed.’’

We agree with The Washington Post's editorial yesterday: Let the Pentagon lead.

Please call your Senators [202-224-3121] to share your support for repeal and to urge the Senate to act without further delay.

Thank you.

Military Recruiting Opportunity: Young Republicans National Convention 2011: San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA

Attention Military Recruiters:

The next Young Republicans National Convention will be held July 6-10, 2011, in Puerto Rico, U.S.A. We'll be asking convention organizers if they'd be willing to provide a booth - for free - for military recruiters to engage with convention participants.

After all, only healthy heterosexuals 41-or-under [in many cases, even younger than 41] are eligible to serve in our military, though the "heterosexual" part of that might possibly change. It all depends on Republican Senators.

If the Young Democrats plan to hold a convention, we'll be asking the same questions of them.

Thank you very much for all that you are doing for America.