Together we can repeal law
Published 9:01 am Monday, July 6, 2009
While we’re still not asking and not telling, Defense Secretary Robert Gates is talking, and the military would do well to listen.
Gates said last week he wants to make the law prohibiting gays from serving openly in the armed forces “more humane” until Congress repeals it. Gates is looking for flexibility in the law. For example, the military might not have to expel someone whose sexual orientation was revealed by a third party out of vindictiveness, he said.
This exception applies to two publicized cases. Lt. Col. Victor J. Fehrenbach and Maj. Margaret Witt are both highly decorated and respected military officers with impeccable records who were booted after being “outed” by anonymous tipsters.
Fehrenbach, an F-15 fighter pilot and 18-year veteran of the Air Force, served in Afghanistan and Iraq. After the Sept. 11 attacks, he was hand-picked to protect the airspace over Washington, D.C.
Witt spent 18 years as a McChord Air Force Base nurse, saving the lives of soldiers on medical-evaluation missions. President George W. Bush noted her “airmanship and courage” in a citation after her deployment during the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan.
Witt continues her legal fight against her discharge, which was given a boost last year when the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the military cannot dismiss service members just because they’re gay. Witt and Fehrenbach never discussed their private lives at work, thereby never violating the stupid law.
Polls show that nearly 70 percent of Americans support disbanding “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Members of the military agree. Oh, some old-liners cling to the embarrassing idea that having gays in the military could be disruptive, and/or a threat to unit morale and discipline. They never seem to remember that any military sex scandal anyone can recall has been the exclusive domain of “openly heterosexual” service members.
President Obama has long promised to overturn the law and people are questioning his commitment. In his defense, he has been a little busy. That’s why Gates’ statement, even though it may seem like just procrastination, is important. The Secretary of Defense is telling the military to find ways to get around don’t ask, don’t tell until it’s gone.
While everyone is looking to Obama, Congress has just as much authority to repeal the law as he does.
Thousands of gay people who honorably served their country have been kicked out. And thousands of gay people continue to serve their country every day. Who in power will mirror their commitment and courage?
