"Pentagon Study: No Need To Fear The Gays" Military report is leaked.

[jillan]

I don't know if this has been posted yet - just heard it on my local news, and googled it to make sure I heard right :)

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2010/11/pentagon_study_no_need_to_fear.html


There are more details leaking out about the report that is due on Obama's desk by December 1. It apparently reveals that "70 percent of respondents to a survey sent to active-duty and reserve troops over the summer said the effect of repealing the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy would be positive, mixed or nonexistent." Top generals and defense officials have already seen the report, which is 370 pages long and synthesizes the responses of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and their spouses. It also details how to end the ban—which is still in effect, pending possible Congressional repeal—without disrupting protocol.

The information was leaked to The Washington Post by someone who was concerned that "groups opposed to ending the ban would mischaracterize the findings."

And here is the link to the WaPo article :

A Pentagon study group has concluded that the military can lift the ban on gays serving openly in uniform with only minimal and isolated incidents of risk to the current war efforts, according to two people familiar with a draft of the report, which is due to President Obama on Dec. 1.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/10/AR2010111007381.html?hpid=topnews


:toast: This is great news!! No more excuses!

[midnight]

1. Good.... I received this email today.... Please read:

When I take on a job, I finish it.

After September 11, I volunteered to fight for my country. I became a Captain in the U.S. Army and was awarded a Bronze Star while serving in Iraq. While in Baghdad, I counseled many active-duty servicemembers who came to me with tortured souls, concerned that their sexual orientation might end their military careers, as a result of the military's discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

One particular soldier's internal conflict was profound. I can still remember his pained and heartbreaking questions. Should he lie? Should he tell the truth and then be kicked out of the Army? What would he do if he was wounded and couldn't tell the person he loved?

When I ran for public office in 2006, I became the first Iraq war veteran to be elected to Congress. Unfortunately, my time in the House of Representatives will be coming to an end soon -- but I still have some unfinished business. Last May, I promised those young men and women whom I counseled that I would do everything in my power to put an end to DADT so they could serve their country openly and proudly.

That's why I led the fight in the House to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," passing historic legislation in May that is now in limbo in the Senate. With Veterans Day coming up on Thursday and only a few weeks left until the Senate's lame-duck session ends, the clock is running out on repeal -- perhaps for years to come.

Now I'm asking you to help me finish the job. With the lame-duck session starting Monday, I need you to sign the Courage Campaign's petition to Senators Reid, Levin, McConnell and McCain immediately. Once the U.S. Senate is back in session, I'll deliver your signature -- and nearly 600,000 other signatures collected by Courage supporting repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

To amplify the voices of those most impacted by this policy, we're looking for veterans -- and their friends, family and neighbors -- to take action before Veterans Day. Whether you are a veteran, or just want to sign on in support, please click one of the following two links:

OPTION 1: Are you a military veteran, a member of a military family, or do you know a veteran? CLICK HERE TO SIGN.

OPTION 2: If you are NOT a veteran, CLICK HERE TO SIGN.

Even though a CNN poll showed that 78% of Americans think the ban should end and even though the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs have said it should end, John McCain and others still think this is a political issue.

It's not a political issue. It's a matter of national security. It's a matter of integrity. It's a matter of honor.

We've worked hard over the last two years to end this discriminatory policy. Let's get the job done.http://couragecampaign.org/unsubscribe

Representative Patrick Murphy
Bristol, Pennsylvania

[jillan]

2. Midnite - you should start a thread in GD to get people to sign, you would get lots of support.

[madmax]

5. Yes, I heard the news on teeevee

Checked latest and didn't see anything so I came here.

In solidarity.

[TheWraith]

3. Kicked and recommended.

But this isn't a blog post providing bogus information in order to cause hate and divide Democrats, so it's not likely to get much play on DU. :eyes:

[dgibby]

4. And John McCain's head explodes in

3....2....1....

[madmax]

6. Ohhh, I wish. nt