Friday, November 30, 2007

A New Push to Roll Back ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

As the New York Times is reporting (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/30/us/30military.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1196424061-UAPM/301jFYI0N/vNoJqZw&oref=slogin), this morning, a group of 28 retired Generals and Admirals released a letter calling on Congress to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The retired officers offer data showing that 65,000 gay men and lesbians now serve in the American armed forces and that there are more than one million gay veterans. Naturally, the GOP presidential candidates oppose the repeal as they stick their noses firmly up the asses of the Christianist who now control the GOP. The following is the text of the letter and the names of those signing it:


We respectfully urge Congress to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Those of us signing this letter have dedicated our lives to defending the rights of our citizens to believe whatever they wish. As General Colin Powell, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs said when the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy was enacted, it is not the place of the military or those in senior leadership to make moral judgments.



Scholarly data show that there are approximately one million gay and lesbian veterans in the United States today, as well as 65,000 gays and lesbians currently serving in our armed forces. They have served our nation honorably.


We support the recent comments of another former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General John Shalikashvili, who has concluded that repealing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy would not harm, and would indeed help, our armed forces. As is the case in Britain, Israel, and other nations which allow gays and lesbians to serve openly, our service members are professionals who are able to work together effectively despite differences in race, gender, religion, and sexuality. Such collaboration reflects the strength and the best traditions of our democracy.


Lieutenant General Jerry Hilmes; Branch: Army


Vice Admiral Harold Koenig; Branch: Navy; Field: Medical


Vice Admiral James Zimble, Midlothian, VA; Branch: Navy; Field: Medical


Major General Leslie Burger, Vancouver, WA; Branch: Army; Field: Medical


Major General Alexander Burgin, Salem, OR; Branch: Army NG; Field: Artillery


Major General Michael Conrad, McLean, VA; Field: Infantry


Major General James Delk, Fair Oaks, CA; Branch: Army; Field: Medical


Major General Jack Farris, New Jersey; Branch: Air Force; Field: Aviation (pilot)


Major General Fred Forster, Tennessee; Field: Aviation


Major General David Hale, Hampton Bays, NY; Field: Combat


Major General Randy Jayne, McClean, VA; Branch: Air NG; Field: Aviation (pilot)


Major General Dennis Laich, Dublin, OH; Branch: Army; Field: Military Police


Major General Dennis Malcor, Vine Grove, KY; Branch: Army; Field: Combat


Major General Michael Scotti*, Arlington, VA; Branch: Army; Field: Medical


Major General Harry Sieben, Minnesota; Branch: Army and Air NG


Rear Admiral William Retz; Branch: Navy


Brigadier General Clara Adams-Ender, Woodbridge, VA; Branch: Army; Field: Medical


Brigadier General Dale Barber, Waverly, NY; Branch: Army; Field: Infantry Engineer


Brigadier General Harold Bowman, Pleasant Hill, IA; Branch: Army NG; Field; Medical


Brigadier General Douglas Bradley, Diablo, CA; Branch: Army; Field: Medical


Brigadier General William Colvin; Branch: Army NG


Brigadier General Bob Hardy; Branch: Army


Brigadier General JD Johnson, Salt Lake City, UT; Branch: Army

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