DADT Not Dead: The Persecution of Derek Morado: The Don't Ask, Don't Tell discharges haven't ended.

[FreeState]

Disgraceful.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/03/30/961673/-DADT-Not-Dead:-The-Persecution-of-Derek-Morado

Petty Officer – 2nd Class Derek Morado joined the navy at the age of 17, and six years later, he is facing a discharge under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". He was notified of the investigation into his sexual orientation in November, just before "repeal" passed. He was outed by somebody who read his MySpace page:

"In November I was told I was going to be administratively separated under the terms of "Don't Ask, Don't tell"... due to what they find is enough evidence to separate me based on a social networking website called My Space," Morado said.

Just to be clear. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has not been repealed. Congress has authorized it's repeal, but it hasn't happened yet. Although Sec. Gates banned investigations launched by anonymous tips, third-party outings are still--today--causing gay servicemembers to be discharged.

[FreeState]

1. Kicking since the unreccers have removed it from the greatest

[kenny blankenship]

2. There is no substitute for a court finding that anti-gay discrimination is unConstitutional

This is just one reason why. Absent that Constitutional finding, other forms of antigay discrimination will persist long after the military allows that yes gay people are citizens and thus eligible for military service.

[FreeState]

3. Exactly - thats why this watered down repeal offends me

No protections at all, its like someone thinks just because GLB citizens can now serve the military will be all accepting and thoroughly engrained discrimination will just not to exist anymore.

Never mind that the overturning of DADT did not one thing for our Transgendered brothers and sisters.

[The Philosopher]

4. Why is this still happening?

Wasn't the repeal supposed to stop LGBT service members from being forced out? Wasn't it supposed to fix things? What does it mean when a repeal of a law can't even protect us? Was not everything fully done?

[Very_Boring_Name]

6. The article says it hasn't been repealed yet

Congress authorized its repeal, but it hasn't actually been repealed yet.

[Bluebear]

5. Lies! Lies! Obama ended DADT!

:cry:

[QC]

7. K&R

[msanthrope]

8. This article is a load of shite--note the appeal for money at the end.

There hasn't been a discharge since October of 2010.

The article describing the investigation on Kos is from MARCH 2010--and the investigation was started when? November 2009?

I hope no poster on this board gives money before they find out what happens at tomorrow's hearing.

[FreeState]

13. What false in the article? I don't see anything inaccurate

And incase your unaware GetEqual is Dan Choi's group, he seems to be very effective with what little money they have raised.

[former9thward]

9. Congress repealed DADT but said the repeal would not go into effect

until the military had studied it and signed off on it. That process supposedly will take up to a year.

[Bluebear]

11. Well, that was a deal between Obama and the Pentagon.

[BlueIris]

10. Sad. nt

[Starry Messenger]

12. k&r

[maxrandb]

14. OK, can an Active Duty Sailor explain this?

We are currently going through mandatory training for "all hands" on DADT Repeal. The Navy is taking this so seriously that each training session is being "kicked-off" by a Flag Officer. The training is to be complete by 17 June of this year.

That is what the law says. We are to implement this within the timeline established by the law. Until that time DADT remains the "law of the land". We are specifically telling Sailors that this law is still in effect.

We will get this right...just like we got desegregation and woman on combat ships right. Until the repeal is in place, after the training and transition, DADT is still in effect. There is much work to be done, and many administrative changes that need to be implemented.

I know folks won't like to hear that, but DADT will be repealed on the time-line that was written into the law. Until then, Sailors are still subject to DADT. It won't take long, but repeal was not immediate upon the passing of the bill.

BTW - I am one of the trainers, and this transition and repeal is being done in a responsible, honest and professional manner, with the emphasis being placed on "respect for all" and "acceptance". We will get it right!

[FreeState]

16. But why still kick people out?

They could stop all discharges now with out a problem. It's immoral to continue to kick out gay service members. Thanks for helping in with the process, I'm sure it's exciting to see and I hope it will soon be certified.

[The Philosopher]

17. Couldn't the President

give an order to halt the discharges while the military signs off on the repeal? The argument given before the repeal that he couldn't do it was that it was only a temporary solution. Well...all we need is a temporary one right now. So why not tell the military to halt all discharges, pending or future, until the military decides to accept the repeal of DADT?

[FreeState]

18. Yes - he could and should n/t

[maxrandb]

19. It depends

Having some experience in the Navy Administrative Discharge and Non-judicial Punishment arena, it is really not what most people assume it to be. Each case is unique, and despite the perception that it is a "kangaroo court", most military members are afforded the same rights, and sometimes even more rights than civil court cases.

It could be that the story is BS and is an attempt to fund raise. It could be that the Sailor in question engaged in acts that are punishable under the UCMJ. FYI - heterosexual contact on watch, or onboard ships, or between members of the same command would be prosecuted under the UCMJ as vigorously as homosexual acts.

Bottom line is we don't know the facts of this case...if there even is a case.

Additionally, I would venture to wager that if the member elected an Admin Board, and IF the ONLY reason he is being administratively separated were due to being gay, that Admin Board would probably recommend that he be retained.

[Bluebear]

15. kick