New report undermines officers’ letter supporting ‘Don’t Ask’

[babylonsister]

New report undermines officers’ letter supporting ‘Don’t Ask’

Chris Johnson | Mar 03, 2010 | Comments 7


snip//

Supporters of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” have often cited the letter as evidence of military support for keeping the law on the books. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), an opponent of repeal, held up the letter during a Senate hearing on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” last month.

“I hope you’ll pay attention to the views of over 1,000 retired flag and general officers,” McCain told Defense Secretary Robert Gates at the time regarding the study of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” that’s underway at the Pentagon.

But Servicemembers United’s report — titled, “Flag and General Officers for the Military: A Closer Look” — sheds new light on the letter. Nicholson said one of the most striking discoveries was the age of many signers.

“Only a small fraction of these officers have even served in the military during the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ period, much less in the 21st century military,” Nicholson said. “How can these flag officers honestly claim to know how accepting and tolerant 18- and 21-year-olds are today when most of them haven’t been that age themselves since the 1940s and 1950s?”

The report found the average age among is the officers is 74, the oldest living signer is 98, and several signers died in the time since the document was published.

At least one signer, Gen. Louis Menetrey, was deceased when the letter was published and didn’t sign the document himself. According to a footnote on the letter, his wife signed the document for him after his death using power of attorney — six years after Alzheimer’s disease robbed him of the ability to communicate.

Servicemembers United findings also indicate the letter doesn’t represent the viewpoints of some officers who purportedly signed it. One signer said they no longer want to be a part of the letter, writing to the organization, “I do not wish to be on any list regarding this issue.”

Others said they never agreed to sign in the first place. One general wrote, “I never agreed. To represent either side of this issue.” Another wrote, “I do not remember being asked about this issue.”

more...

http://www.dcagenda.com/2010/03/03/new-report-undermines-officers%E2%80%99-letter-supporting-%E2%80%98don%E2%80%99t-ask%E2%80%99/

[stevenleser]

1. K&R

[ck4829]

2. K&R to catapult some truth at this propaganda

[babylonsister]

3. Thanks. I thought this good news would be well-received, but

maybe it was too early. :shrug:

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Lying and deception are OK, but Teh Gay is EEEEEVILL!!

EEEEEVILL, I tells ya!

[Uzybone]

5. damn near digging up graves to find support for DADT

[babylonsister]

7. Yep, amazing isn't it, and 'crickets' from the m$m. nt

[jenmito]

6. K&R! I really hope DADT gets repealed sooner than some of the generals have hinted. n/t