Jon Soltz: RESOLVED: “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Don’t Work

[babylonsister]

http://thestimulist.com/resolved-dont-ask-dont-tell-dont-have-no-logic/

RESOLVED: “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Don’t Work
By Jon Soltz | May 15th, 2009




This past weekend, National Security Advisor James Jones said something that I, as an Iraq veteran, couldn’t agree with more. “I think most of us who have served in the military believe that the “Standards of Conduct” is what determines the good order and discipline,” he said. “So as long as conduct by all members of the military is not detrimental to the good order and discipline, then you have cohesion in the ranks.”

Unfortunately, General Jones was using this logic to defend Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell instead of arguing against it. He seemed to be making the case that just by being openly gay, a servicemember cannot uphold good order and discipline.

Meanwhile, a former soldier, Steven Green awaited sentencing for the brutal murder of a family, and the rape of their young daughter, in Mahmudiya, Iraq. After Green killed the family and raped the young girl, he covered her head with a pillow and shot her. Her body was then burned. The murders set off a wave of anti-American sentiment in Iraq, pushing our battle to win hearts and minds even further back.

Green was allowed to enter the military on a “moral waiver,” despite his arrests for three alcohol or drug related offenses, which would have set off flags about a potential employee for pretty much any other employer.

And, it wasn’t just Green. When he enlisted in 2005, the military was accepting those with “serious criminal misconduct” issues—aggravated assault, robbery, vehicular manslaughter, receiving stolen property and making terrorist threats—because recruiting under normal standards was falling fast. According to USA Today, one-in-eight Army recruits required a waiver by 2008.

Thankfully, the standards have been raised again, but those who entered previously on “moral waivers” are allowed to stay. This cuts to the heart of the flawed logic shared by Jones and others who argue that ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell will hurt unit cohesion.

Hurt unit cohesion? We keep soldiers who entered the military with serious criminal records because we need as many people as possible, but that need isn’t great enough for us to stop discharging good troops for being honest to their units about being gay? Gays and lesbians are more dangerous for morale than felons?

It makes no sense. It’s insanity. And it’s hurting our armed forces.

Here’s an idea: Let’s just keep our best troops, no matter what their background or orientation. Those with a criminal history who have proven to be good troops can stay. Those who are openly gay will abide by the same strict rules that govern heterosexual relationships in the military. If they break the rules, they’re out. But if they also prove to be valuable soldiers, we keep them, too.

When our top concern is a military made up of the very best society has to offer, America wins. As Commander in Chief, President Obama should keep that in mind when people present him with fallacious arguments on why a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell must be delayed.

Thoughts?


Jon Soltz served in both the Iraq war and Kosovo with the United States Army. He is now Chairman of VoteVets.org, a 105,000+ member group that is the leading progressive pro-military, pro-veteran organization in America.

[babylonsister]

1. . Just because. nt

[crickets]

2. K&R

Jon Soltz makes the point better than I ever could, so I have nothing to add except support.

:thumbsup:

[Bluebear]

3. kick

[Torn_Scorned_Ignored]

4. ah yes

the convicted felons.





I wonder when Nancy will put DADT on the table.

Or when the president will sign an executive order.


What an outrage this is.


:kick: