Iraq Vet Congressman Patrick Murphy Slams DADT

DADT (0.00 / 0)

I happen to be a big fan of Dana Milbank at The WaPo, who had this to say in "Sorry We Asked [Elaine Donnelly what she thinks and ...], Sorry [She] Told":  

http://www.washingtonpost.com/...

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by: Fxston @ Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 13:46:15 PM CDT

About McSame's problem: not only is he physically old, but his ideas (4.00 / 1)

are old. That according to Begala on the Blitzer yesterday when addressing McCentury's idea the folks like SSgt Eric Alva are a threat to national security. [the whole thing is about 85% down thread here]

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRA...

Unfortunately, it seems too many are buying into "can't change policy in the middle of a war"...Ahem, Excuse me

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITI...

e-mail your US Rep., I did.

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by: deMeme @ Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 14:39:07 PM CDT

Sorta on a Similar Line (0.00 / 0)

Dunwoody confirmed as first female 4-star general

The Senate on Wednesday night confirmed the nomination of Lt. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody to be the U.S. military's first female four-star general.

The walls drop but they do so Slowly, keep that in mind as you folks fight the battles many of us have been waging, we've dropped a few but plenty more needed to fall!

You mention 'racism', it still existed in my day back in the late sixties into the seventies, but the ones that carried that feeling let it be shown rarely, when known it was dealt with, not verbally or physically, but they were dropped on the respect meter, especially if officers.  

'Hearts and Minds, "The ultimate victory will depend on the hearts and minds of the people who actually live there." -- President Lyndon Johnson

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by: jimstaro @ Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 15:21:36 PM CDT

I think (4.00 / 2)

If you are qualified to do your job, it doesnt matter. Especially considering the state our military is in at this point. Good job Patrick Murphy!!

PJ O'Brien

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by: pjo187 @ Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 16:45:46 PM CDT

Hate to say it, guys, (0.00 / 0)

but your military service means shit to 99% of Americans.

Lobby all you want.  I'm with you.

But to believe military service, even in a war zone, even in combat, means shit to the average American is to belive in something false.

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by: Viet71 @ Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 17:09:02 PM CDT

This is precisely why we do what we do here at Votevets.org. (4.00 / 6)

We elect people into office like Mr. Murphy here who have real world EXPERIENCE! Individuals who are not afraid to stand up to others like Ms. Donnelly here that sit on boards and committees that have never spent 1 day, 1 hour, 1 MINUTE mind you, in the military and find it suet to make comments about what they THINK is best for our military brethren. Listen how Murphy introduces himself, He doesn't brag, he doesn't boast that he was in the 82nd Airborne.  Much to the credit of Murphy and SSG Alva, unit cohesion does not come undone because of a soldier's sexuality preference. Just as SSG Alva speculates, in combat while on a mission if one of my comrades goes down in the line of fire it doesn't matter if you are black, white, gay, or strait, I will risk my life every time such as our warrior's ethos state" Leave no man behind". The difference is is that these shitbag civilians have nothing that they can relate to when it comes to unit cohesion.  Thank you Patrick Murphy for being the voice on Capitol Hill for all of those who can't speak out.

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by: WoldJ @ Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 17:20:41 PM CDT

Donnelly doesn't have any military service/experience??? nt (4.00 / 1)

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by: boadicaea @ Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 22:07:07 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Hey, does anyone know (4.00 / 6)

how Donnelly got to be considered an "authority" on the military.  I looked at her bio, sadly the one posted on the Center for Military Readiness.  As of 1984 she was sitting on Presidential commissions, how did that happen?  Who the hell is she to be telling me, a female soldier, what is right for me?  Or, as this blog is about, to tell any soldier who they should or should not serve with?

Bearing that in mind, I did have a youngin' E-3 in my unit at drill last month who said he wouldn't vote for Obama because he wants to end DADT, I said, "why" and he said "I hate gay people."  I am fairly certain he probably doesn't even realize how many gay people he's already met in the military, unfortunately Donnelly speaks to his ignorance.

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by: Combat Infantry Bunny @ Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 19:14:07 PM CDT

Some people will always be bigots. (4.00 / 1)

I have met soldiers that didn't think that blacks, women, mexicans, jews and any one else that didn't look like them shouldn't be in uniform. They were the minority though.

There is always going to be one asshole in every crowd, that doesn't mean that anyone should listen to that person.

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by: Brian McGough @ Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 20:17:40 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

The E3 isn't alone. There's a whole world of bigots out there (0.00 / 0)

that work with, joke around with, have a beer with, ogle on the street at, gays and lesbians and never know it, because bigots are self-interested and think in stereotypes.  And one of my best friends told me he really hated gays, until he realized he WAS (early, thank god).  Tell the E3 about that.

I know what Donnelly was talking about, and that's the ignorant stereotype of gays and lesbians and sexual activity.  What a strung-tight, supercilious "expert."  What could her "credentials" possibly be?  Why don't they ask ME to testify; I'm really good when someone gives me a mike and an audience.

Why didn't someone point out the existence of heterosexual attacks when she brought up one lesbian incident?  I'm sure she brought that up because to her being raped by a man is more "natural" than being attacked by a woman--fate worse than death, I guess.  Having your body used like a piece of meat is hideous no matter who does it.

Sorry.  I've got a world of friends that don't deserve this.

And how does someone get to testify? I really want to know.

Done.

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by: boadicaea @ Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 22:04:18 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Boadicaea, (4.00 / 1)

she probably brought it up because gays are the first on her agenda. Probably women serving in combat will be the next thing on her agenda, and, then, women serving in any capacity that is equal to males will follow.  

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by: Gage @ Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 19:13:38 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

People can, and often do, change... (0.00 / 0)

I know a lot of soldiers that softened their stance on minorities eventually, but I think being around the minorities (color, gender, orientation, religion, etc) was the catalyst to let them see that most people, regardless of background, can serve honorably.  Hopefully this young soldier will wise up over time as many of us have.   I'm not making excuses for him, far from it actually, but I'm sure that's the high-schooler in him trying to talk tough, while in a uniform that represents bravado in his mind.    

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by: Wolverine @ Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 22:21:28 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Bravo, Congressman Murphy. (0.00 / 0)

Congressman Murphy makes me proud to be a member of VoteVets. If we'd had more intelligent, experienced vets in Congress years ago, we might have avoided some of the asinine policies that chickenhawks and so-called moral crusaders have forced on the military in the past two decades.

Congresswoman Donnely and her ilk are far more concerned with banning Playboy from the PX and keeping gay Americans from serving their country than implementing policies which actually us safer. These people have proven time and again that their mission in life is to tear down the basic constitutional rights that all of us fought to defend. Donnely and those whom she represents lack the moral conviction to actually serve in the military, but are more than willing to force their bigoted and completely uninformed views on those who do.

Today, we had the privilege of watching a member of the Congress stand up for civil rights, stronger national defense, and simple common sense in one great moment. If we want to continue to work toward a more perfect union, we need more elected officials like Pat Murphy.  

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by: C76 @ Fri Jul 25, 2008 at 00:46:02 AM CDT

Correction... (0.00 / 0)

I committed one of my own pet peeves--I didn't proofread my post before I hit the submit key. I have no idea why I referred to Ms. Donnelly as "Congresswoman" or why I spelled her name incorrectly. I saw it the instant the post landed, so I'd like to take a mulligan. My sincere apologies for denigrating the honor of the House.  

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by: C76 @ Fri Jul 25, 2008 at 01:25:40 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Do pushups. (0.00 / 0)

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by: Brandon Friedman @ Fri Jul 25, 2008 at 01:52:58 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

One sir, two sir, *muscle failure* (0.00 / 0)

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by: C76 @ Fri Jul 25, 2008 at 11:39:24 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Hey! I probably drive you nuts then...... (0.00 / 0)

I used to spell well, but since ill I try has hard as I can but memory shot! I go back and proof but cannot remember how to spell word! Sorry Guys! You have to get over it!:)

Boots

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by: boots @ Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 13:57:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

AMEN. (4.00 / 1)

DADT is as unconstitutional a piece of legislation as exists today (though less so than the previous policy). Nonetheless, it is legalized discrimination that says some Americans don't rate the opportunity to serve.

Hats off Rep Murphy, I really hope we can make this go away- it is one more of these fake ideologies that politicians assert are ON BEHALF of the military and troops, when they are really AT THE EXPENSE of the military and troops.

Let's tell it like it is.  

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by: Ben @ Fri Jul 25, 2008 at 01:36:37 AM CDT

Kudos to Congressman Murphy (0.00 / 0)

I am very proud. Proud to see Officers of Congressman Murphy's generation stepping up to the plate and addressing the issue of just who may serve and who may not.

When I joined the USAF 26 years ago, Officer Candidates and Enlisted personnel had to answer some final questions.

1. Drugs?
2. Alcohol?
3. Homosexual tendencies?

I wanted to serve my country, I sought a committment to the service of my country. So to question #3, I did not tell the truth. In those days the military was allowed to ask and pursue personnel suspected of homosexual orientation. I remember the stress I felt, lying about my orientation. The continued stress of not being able to be honest with my comrades and brethren in arms. I daresay a very small trusted circle of people knew, but it never made a difference. I took my Oath seriously, I was professional.

How dare this woman ever question the professionalism of my brethren and sistren? Yes, there are all kinds of people in the military...and there will always be those who do not follow the UCMJ, rules and regulations. But the vast majority of our military are professionals who will not let orientation, politics or other outside considerations into the equation. Mission first all other considerations are minor in the face of the duty to those who serve with us or under our commmand.

I do not regret a day of my service. I never let my orientation get in the way of my duty or my mission...nor did it interfere with the relationship to those who served under me. DADT needs to go...most people on both sides of the political spectrum agree that it is a major hindrance to retention and recruitment of otherwise fully qualified individuals.

JC

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by: jcisneros @ Fri Jul 25, 2008 at 02:28:45 AM CDT

Patrick Murphy, our only OIF veteran currently serving in Congress (0.00 / 0)

Hopefully he will be joined by many more soon.  

The military often runs a double standard on the issue of DADT.  For a male soldier, being gay is a fast-track out of the military.  But many don't seem to care if a female soldier is a lesbian.  For all of the doomsday scenarios and fear that we hear if soldiers were to serve openly, many people don't consider the fact that many of them already are.

"No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided." - Barack Obama

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by: Chris LeJeune @ Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 11:28:05 AM CDT

My brother was in Navy on ship for his time in. (4.00 / 1)

He basically had 2 separate lives, his own life being gay and trying his best to hide it from work and family. He did not have to hide it from us, but I think to keep the secret he had to in order to keep it from the Military. He finally left Navy, after a few years I found out by accident, he made me keep the secret until he was ready to come out. It was very, very sad for me to watch this, he is a wonderful person, I'm his closest sibling and I always newthere was something to keep us from getting to a point but I did not know what it was, so no one else did!

With 2 wars going on and maybe a 3rd started, we are dropping test scores in basic, taking felons, you would think this arcaic crap would be out the window! I thought Patrick Murphy was great!

Boots

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by: boots @ Sat Jul 26, 2008 at 13:53:28 PM CDT