LV Congressman Charlie Dent:“In May 2010, I voted against an amendment to the FY2011 National Defense Authorization Act, H.R. 5136, that would have repealed ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ (DADT). Before legislating a personnel change of this magnitude, I felt Congress must provide the Department of Defense (DOD) ample time to conduct a thorough review of the policy and issue a report outlining its recommendations.
“On November 30, 2010, DOD issued its findings and recommendations following a nine-month study on the potential impacts of repealing the law. While this report includes some issues that will need to be addressed, I believe it provides clear guidance that long-term unit cohesion and retention will not be jeopardized by allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in our Armed Forces.
“Perhaps most influential in my decision to support this bill were the serious concerns Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates recently expressed involving the potential risks associated with a court-ordered repeal. Secretary Gates explained, ‘…there is the very real possibility that this change would be imposed by judicial fiat – by far the most disruptive and damaging scenario I can imagine, and the most hazardous to military morale, readiness and battlefield performance.’
“I share Secretary Gates’ assessment that an immediate repeal ordered by the courts would compromise the military’s ability to implement the new policy in a controlled and effective manner.
“I believe the defining characteristic of a young man or woman who volunteers to join the military is his or her dedication to defending the United States of America. I have confidence that regardless of sexual preference, service members will continue to develop unsurpassed camaraderie with those who share their commitment to protecting the nation.”
Good deal. Electoral politics may be zero-sum, but policy isn't. In elections, we're better off trying to remove conservative politicians like Dent from office, but for the medium and long term, it's the standing of progressive values in both parties that matters, and this is an unabashed victory on that front. Social conservatives are pretty incontestably on the wrong side of history on this one.
ReplyDeleteJon don't you ever learn? Progressive Liberalism and Radical Conservatism represent, at most, a combined 20% of the country.
ReplyDeleteWe are much better off removing the scourge of both Progressive Liberalism and Radical Conservatism. You represent fringe wing nuts.
Charlie is becoming more liberal. I am for one disappointed. His stance on this matter as well as supporting the TSA groping and voyeurism/erosion of our 4th Amendment rights is troubling. Charlie appears to be more of a blue dog Dem than a Republican. IMHO
ReplyDeleteAs a veteran, I served with both hetero and homosexual members within the service. We all wore green, sacrificed our livelihoods, and gave 100% to our country. We asked for nothing in return, but to hear our families voices on the telephone or read a letter, while we were stationed overseas. I didn't care if the soldier next to me was male/female, black/white, Jew/Gentile, straight/gay or Republican/Democrat. We covered each others back and mourned whenever one of our own did not get a chance to go home. This reversal of policy was long overdue. Soldiers defend the rights of all. It's about time Congress and Mr. Dent recipricated.
ReplyDeleteBill Hillanbrand
Since this casts Dent in a positive light among most people, will Jeff Pooley or Jon Geeting mention it in their "Dent Watch"?
ReplyDeleteGood on you, Bill.
ReplyDeleteand good on Charlie.