Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell by the Numbers

[Donnachaidh]

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/05/dadt_numbers.html

The Military Loses Patriotic Men and Women Every Day

The House this week could take an important step forward in bringing equality to the military by passing an amendment that would repeal “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” as part of the fiscal year 2011 Defense Authorization bill. DADT is the discriminatory policy that prevents gay and lesbian soldiers from serving openly in the military. The Senate Armed Services Committee is also considering a similar amendment.

Defense Secretary Gates called earlier this year for a Pentagon working group to begin drafting a plan for enacting a repeal to the ban, and that proposal is due to the secretary, Joint Chiefs, and president later this year. Congressional passage of repeal would ensure that all parts of government—legal and military—can move forward together once the Pentagon’s proposal is completed.

At a time when we are fighting two wars, what matters most on the battlefield is a person's ability to complete the mission. It’s time for our country's laws and our military's policies to reflect this basic, common sense notion.

More than 13,000: The number of gay and lesbian service men and women have been discharged from military service since 1993. Thousands more have decided not to reenlist due to the policy.

More at the link ---

[MineralMan]

1. A Question: Have you contacted any senators yesterday or today?

If not, then why not?