Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN

Checking in on Elaine

It's been a while - too long, really - since we last checked in with Elaine Donnelly of the Center for Military Readiness. You remember Elaine: she was the one who blamed retired General John Shalikashvili's stroke for his support of repeal . . . who inaccurately told The Washington Times that "even Democrats" don't support legislation to lift the ban . . . and who slammed Congressman Gary Ackerman (D-NY) for suggesting that gay Americans may have an important contribution to make to our country. So we decided to check in on Elaine, and see what her newest rant might be. Turns out, she's furious about "San Francisco values." Referring to Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher's leadership in the campaign to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," Donnelly told Cybercast News Service that, "We don't really want to see legislation passed that would reflect the San Francisco agenda of Ellen Tauscher." Hooray for values! Let's see how Elaine's 'values' stack up against Congresswoman Tauscher's, shall we? Tauscher: 3 trips to Iraq to visit the troops; 5 trips, overall, to the Middle East Elaine: 0. Tauscher: Member of the House Armed Services Committee, on which she is Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee Elaine: Has "experienced two 'trap' landings on the carriers USS John F. Kennedy and USS Kitty Hawk (without so much as a tussle of that perfectly coiffed 'do) Tauscher: 6 terms in the House, representing California's 10th Congressional district Elaine: Never elected to anything (thankfully for us) So what 'values,' exactly, do they have out in the city by the bay? Maybe it's American values (79% of the public supports repeal); or military values (73% of personnel say they're comfortable around gays); or even conservative values (a "large majority" of Republicans support lifting the ban, too). So if Elaine wants to talk about 'values,' let's have that debate. Congresswoman Tauscher has stood up for a strong national defense; equal opportunity in our armed forces; and supporting the troops by putting the best and brightest on the job. Meanwhile, Elaine keeps arguing against women and gays in the military. Is discrimination really the 'value' we want our government to embody? Or is Elaine just more out of touch than ever before? - Steve Ralls

Labels: Congress, elaine donnelly, in the news

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06-29-07