Statistically, every single day of President Obama's administration we see at least one and most likely two of our brave soldiers dismissed for being a member of the LGBT community. Sometimes they are given a dishonorable discharge and often it is the first time their families and friends find out they are gay. Often their lives are left in a shambles, their dream of serving their country destroyed and their career choice made impossible.
So in the first 100 days of the Obama Administration, we most likely have seen well over 200 gay and lesbian soldiers' careers left in tatters. Their crime? Wanting to serve their country with honor and honesty and not be force to lie to their commanders and comrades.
The Defense Secretary has indicated it could be years before it is changed. The Speaker of the House recently indicated that it won't come up this year before Congress. President Obama is just...silent. Some of our LGBT leaders are even quietly telling elected officials that we don't have to deal with "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" until the wars against terrorism are over. The way things are going, that could take us into the next century.
What do we tell these brave soldiers? That their lives and careers must be sacrificed upon the altar of political convenience? America, especially its young, has come to accept that the LGBT quest for equality is a full fledged civil rights movement and not a special interest group that can be dealt with on a political timetable.
Justice has no calendar.
What is reasonable to expect in such an early stage of this administration? Is it possible for the president of the United States to issue a 'stop loss' order given the wars and until more information can be gathered about the effectiveness of the policy? Under this 'stop-loss' order no more would be dismissed until a final decision can be made about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Certainly the leaders in the Pentagon and our Joint Chief of Staffs should be brought before Congress to answer just a few simple questions such as:
-"Our troops serve with troops from Britain and the Netherlands in the War Against Terror and both of these countries allow gays and lesbians to serve openly. In any way has this effected our soldiers and their morales when they have encountered them?"
-"If an argument against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is that it affects unit cohesiveness and morale, is it your opinion then that British and Dutch troops have less cohesiveness and poor morale because they serve with gays and lesbians?"
-"Do you believe that our allies have been less effective in fighting because they have allowed gays and lesbians to serve?'
-"If you believe our allies have served with distinction next our soldiers, then is what you are saying about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is that American soldiers are unique and don't have the courage and strength to serve with open gays and lesbians like our allies?"
-"Can you please give an example of one unit that has been made less effective because a member of the LGBT community has served within that unit? That the soldiers in that unit could not perform their duties or function as an effective force within the United States military?"
None of us believes this can be done overnight or be completed by tomorrow. And we all know that our beloved president has a very full plate right now. However, remember that John F. Kennedy had to deal with the civil rights movement for African Americans while also dealing with the Berlin and Cuban crisis. And this current president has proven quite adept at multi-tasking. That being said, we have to be smart in planning the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Yet even if we look at the politics of it, there is no better time to do it than before the end of this year. We will NEVER have the kind of powerful margin in Congress that we do now. The American people, including 40% of Born Again Christians, support open and honorable service by the LGBT community. 2010 will be an election year and members of Congress will even be more nervous.
To the president, the Congress and the leaders of the LGBT community, now is the time. Ironically, it is the right time politically, it is time to stop destroying lives and it is the right thing to do morally. How often do all these factors come together? Not often; so move toward justice and repeal this hideous and unjust remnant from the 1990's. It was wrong then and it is even more wrong now because we actually can do something about this injustice.
Subscribe
Comments