Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN
A Visit with My Senator (And Why You Should Visit Yours!)
As with a lot of rural areas, people carry misconceived notions of Montana. The state shows up on political maps as deep red, and holds true to the color on most presidential elections. But the governor, and both senators are Democrats-albeit, western "conservative" democrats-so generally shy away from taking public stances on potentially unpopular issues such as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Not so with Sen. Jon Tester. ...Read More
01-30-09 By David Stalling, SLDN Grassroots Organizer & Policy Advocate | Comment (2)
When the President Orders, the Military Follows
Less than 48 hours after the President had taken the (bungled) oath from the Chief Justice of the United States, the Washington Post's jittery media columnist, Howard Kurtz, asked what will probably remain the most preposterous question of the week: "It is well past time to ask the question: What has Barack Obama really accomplished as President anyway?" ...Read More
01-26-09 By Aubrey Sarvis, SLDN Executive Director | Comment (26)
Pam’s House Blend: “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” 15 Years Later
Some of the conventional wisdom circling around Washington these days is that President Obama shouldn't-or wouldn't - touch the political hot potato that is "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" during his first year or two in office. They point to the shaky beginning of the Clinton presidency when he took up the issue of gays in the military. What the naysayers are forgetting is that 2009 is very different than 1993. ...Read More
01-26-09 By Kevin Nix, SLDN Communications Senior Manager | Comment (1)
President Obama, First Lady Show Commitment to Helping our Service Members
On Tuesday night I had the privilege to attend the Commander in Chief's Ball in Washington, which was free to all military personnel, military families and veterans. At the festivities, President Barack Obama announced that he would have no greater honor than to lead our nation's military as commander in chief. ...Read More
01-22-09 By Mike Rankin, M.D., Capt, MC, USN (Ret) | Comment (0)
The Dream of Equality is for All, not “Almost All”
You'd have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by the immense and immensely enthusiastic crowd that filled the Mall and beyond on this cold, bright morning, stretching from the Capitol, past the Washington Monument, around the Reflecting Pool, to the Lincoln Memorial and the Potomac. Estimates of its size range from 1.4 million people to two million and perhaps more if those lining Pennsylvania Avenue to watch the inaugural parade in the afternoon are included. ...Read More
01-21-09 By Aubrey Sarvis, SLDN Executive Director | Comment (2)
Historic Inauguration Turns Hope into Reality as New Day Dawns
I woke as the sun beams burst into the room. This is going to be a great day is all I could keep saying to myself. Although it was early in the morning, I was invigorated knowing that in just a few hours I would be able to witness what will become a staple in American history. ...Read More
01-21-09 By Darren Manzella, former U.S. Army Sergeant | Comment (1)
Flag Officers’ Report Presented to Presidential Transition Team
On January 12, a group of Flag Officers had the privilege of briefing five members of President-elect Obama's Transition Team on the issue of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT). The meeting came about as a result of an invitation, following the election, from President-elect Obama's staff to the members of his Veterans Advisory group to submit Position Papers on items of special interest to veterans. ...Read More
01-13-09 By RADM Al Steinman (Ret), RADM Jamie Barnett (Ret), CAPT Joan Darrah (Ret), MCPOCG Vince Patton (Ret), David Hall (former SSgt) | Comment (2)
The Mantra to End DADT: Yes We Can!
"Yes We Can" -- to borrow the mantra that resonated with such happy results for Barack Obama's campaign for the office he is about to assume. I'm talking about repeal in the new Congress of the odious "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law that prevents openly gay men and women from serving in the military. ...Read More
01-13-09 By Aubrey Sarvis, SLDN Executive Director | Comment (2)
“Yes”
When asked if "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" should be repealed, President-elect Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs was blunt January 6. "You don't hear a politician give a one word answer much, but it's yes." ...Read More
01-10-09 By SLDN Staff | Comment (7)
A Closer Look: Two Polls on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
In the past couple of weeks, we've seen two unscientific, disreputable polls released on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The first, conducted by Military Times, showed 58 percent of respondents thought the law - banning openly gay men and women from serving in the military - should be kept in place. But this number represented a survey of subscribers to the newspaper, and was conducted over e-mail. ...Read More
01-08-09 By SLDN Staff | Comment (1)
