Frontlines: The Latest from OutServe-SLDN

Kudos to Collins

Kudos to Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who quizzed soon-to-be Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" during recent confirmation hearings at the Senate Armed Services Committee. Here's a transcript of the exchange between Collins and Mullen: COLLINS: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Admiral Mullen, this morning you described our troops as being strained and stretched. And this is a concern that I share and that I think every member of this panel shares. We've seen longer deployments, more waivers granted to recruits with criminal records. We've actually seen an extension of the age limit for recruits. We've also experienced considerable difficulty in filling specialty positions such as for linguists, which are obviously very important in Iraq and Afghanistan. Press reports have said that more than 50 Arabic linguists have been discharged from our armed forces since the "don't ask/don't tell" policy was instituted. In addition to the loss of translators, the estimates are that there were more than 11,000 other servicemembers that have been separated since "don't ask/don't tell" was instituted by Congress back in the early '90s. I recently met with a retired admiral in Maine who urged me to urge you to reexamine the "don't ask/don't tell" policy. In your view, should we reevaluate this policy? MULLEN: Senator, the current policy and law is as you've described. MULLEN: And it's a policy that came in at a time -- in a time -- it was greatly debated at the time that it was actually put in place. I'm supportive of that policy and I really think it is for the American people to come forward, really through this body, to both debate that policy and make changes, if that's appropriate. And so, from that standpoint, that's really where -- that's how I see it. The current policy is one I support, have supported. And until it's -- until it changes or really changes both in policy and law, that's where I am. COLLINS: Would you encourage Congress to reevaluate the policy? MULLEN: I'd love to have Congress make its own decisions with respect to that. Note the remark by Collins that she was approached by a retired admiral, in her home state, about questioning Mullen about repeal. Her question is proof that, when we speak up, we can impact change at a national level. All of us at SLDN are grateful to Senator Collins for bringing up the topic during the recent hearing, and for her thoughtful questions about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." You can also send the Senator a note of gratitude by clicking here. - Steve Ralls

Labels: collins, Congress

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08-02-07