As members of the Human Rights Campaign in Kansas City, we have worked for years to remove workplace injustices such as the firing of Kansas Army National Guard specialist Amy Brian, (2/16, A-1, “.‘Don’t ask’ discord is telling”). But Amy is not alone.
More than 9,000 service members have been discharged under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy at a cost of more than a quarter billion dollars to U.S. taxpayers. Dozens of Arabic linguists and Korean linguists from the Army’s Defense Language Institute were discharged for being gay. Why would we discharge perfectly qualified individuals in a time of need?
“Don’t ask, don’t tell” is a discriminatory policy and should be repealed. Reps. Emanuel Cleaver and Dennis Moore know this, but they need your support.
Michael Henry
(Former Human Rights Campaign governor)
Kansas City
Although I am not one who has faced discrimination, I recognize it when I see it. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” is government-mandated discrimination. The policy should be dropped, gays and lesbians should be allowed to openly serve, and Amy Brian should be reinstated.
If a private company had this policy, the federal government would be all over them.
Steven Thomas
Kansas City
Gary is a nasty, bad, naughty boy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp77t0-3d3s
Posted by: Jim | February 18, 2009 at 03:26 PM
The most vocal among us speaking out against gays will eventually themselves be caught in an airport bathroom sting looking for some ... wide stance, foot tapping stimulus.
Me? I don't care. Live and let live. You live your life and let me live mine.
Except for the bathroom stimulus which I find kind of disgusting.
Posted by: whispering_to_kc | February 18, 2009 at 01:45 PM
Really stretching the argument there Gary.......
Posted by: solomon | February 18, 2009 at 11:18 AM
Gary are you truly trying to say that those that are homosexuals the same as the members of NAMBLA?
Posted by: T. Hanson | February 18, 2009 at 11:03 AM
I propose establishing a NAMBLA Division in the US Army. First posting, Afghanistan.
Posted by: Gary | February 18, 2009 at 10:22 AM
Laugh your stupid ass off all day for all I care moron, but what is the logic in keeping gays out of combat?
Once again, I am looking for an intelligent answer.
Posted by: solomon | February 18, 2009 at 09:24 AM
Alexander?? ROTFLMFAO? Frigging Alexander!! OMG Race Card, go back to sleep.
Posted by: BudRog | February 18, 2009 at 09:17 AM
BuddyT,
Why would the need to Charlie Mike preclude homosexuals from combat missions? Being gay sure did not hinder Alexander.
Got to say though, the "being in the rear with gear" is classic you.
Posted by: solomon | February 18, 2009 at 09:00 AM
Sacrificing a few bucks ($95 million, if you buy the math)pales in comparison to the $1.5 trillion we just dropped to socialize our economy. Further, the need to Charlie Mike precludes homosexuals from serving in a combat role. If these folks want to be in the rear with gear that would be acceptable, and only that. But please tell me how that would be accomplished without "discrimination"?
Posted by: BudRog | February 18, 2009 at 08:41 AM
Once again, over 9,000 discharged under this stupid policy. At $10,500 per person for training, uniforms, and transfers that comes to $94.5 Million. Double that for replacements.
Yea, this sounds like a great policy.
Posted by: T. Hanson | February 18, 2009 at 07:42 AM