Veterans React to Secretary Gates’ Answer on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
For Immediate Release
Contact: Eric Schmeltzer, 646-290-8586, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
March 30, 2009
VETERANS REACT TO SECRETARY GATES' ANSWER ON "DONT ASK, DON'T TELL"
Washington - The largest and most active progressive group of veterans with 105,000+ members, VoteVets.org, says Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is wrong to delay action on the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on gays and lesbians in the military. On FOX News Sunday, Gates said about the policy that the administration had a lot on its plate and "let's push that one down the road a little bit."
Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org said in a statement:
"With all due respect to Secretary Gates, and President Obama, now is not the time to push a decision on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' down the road. Now that we've increased our commitment to Afghanistan and Pakistan, our military could desperately use more qualified and able troops in the region.
"When you consider the heavy focus we're putting on reaching out to elements of the Taliban and other regional leaders and fighters, as well as monitoring communications for intelligence, the need for translators is clear. Since the policy was put in place, thousands of servicemembers, including many translators have been discharged under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' We could sure use many of them back right now, as we renew our focus on the Afghanistan-Pakistan region."
VoteVets.org is a pro-military organization of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, dedicated to the destruction of terror networks around the world, with force when necessary. It primarily focuses on education and advocacy on issues of importance to the troops and veterans, and holding politicians accountable for their actions on these issues.
Paid for by VoteVets.org
04-06-09 By VoteVets.org |
6 Comments
Comments for this entry are closed.Robert on April 14, 2009 at 12.33 pm
I joined the USAF last year…I was part of the DET Program. It has always been a dream of mine to serve in the military. After speaking with an officer who was dismissed due to being gay I began to regret my decision as i did not want to live a struggling lie of a life for 4-8 years. I now have requested to continue schooling to become a flight nurse, In which I am doing. I will be done in two years with a masters degree in Nursing and an associates as a paramedic. I would love to be able to serve my time as an officer and medic after i complete school. Unfortunately when you see me most know i am gay even though i can work and do all that any other straight person can do. I hope that within the next few years the DADT will be lifted. i have great belief that it will. To me it is a great issue but I understand how other issues in government are taking priority right now, considering we are in a severe economic and foreign war.
Cheryl Butts in New Orleans on April 10, 2009 at 09.45 pm
I was discharged General Under Honorable Conditions, for being gay in 1987. I hope the ban is lifted because now that I have a Bachelor’s Degree, I am ready to serve again. HHC 194th Armored Brigade, Ft. Knox, KY.
John Gilliland in colorado on April 09, 2009 at 04.08 pm
I am geting tired of all of this. I have been out for four yours and now thanks to DADT i have to go back in. It is very anoying. Another thing is that i have to worry about my lover while i am geting the all the free medicle benafits. He has to deal with his own and all i whant is all this to be good so that my lover and I can have a better life. So that I can drag him with me and know that he is safe
Mark Delapole in Colorado on April 07, 2009 at 06.19 pm
It’s sad that Obama has not moved on this, DADT forces his best and brightest into living a lie. Tens of thousands are harmed by DADT with careers, dreams and callings ruined. With a (mostly) volunteer military, we need to get the most from those who make the committment, and who we invest in to make the best defenders.
Elijah on April 07, 2009 at 09.57 am
It’s already been lost in the shuffle. Hasn’t anyone read Gates’ 2010 budget speech yet - - which he emphasized was fully supported by the President and the Chiefs? Lot’s of talk of forcing cultural change in the military, lots of talk of better support for the STRAIGHT members of our volunteer forces about not wasting millions on old ideas - -except for DADT.
He didn’t just kick even DISCUSSING dumping DADT down the road - - he kicked it into the next DECADE.
Mike Gorman in Lodi, Ca on April 07, 2009 at 09.32 am
I fear DADT will be lost in the shuffle. With Obama signing the European charter of equality, That’ll help apply foreign pressure to the US to help lift the ban also. Ha, wonder if Sam Nunn and the rest of his “Axis of Morality” will start whipping the country into a frenzy again.
I wanna see commercials on how DADT is bad for the military. Not everybody has access to “Unfriendly Fire”.