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Repealing Law (DADT) Shows Respect

Written by James S Taylor Tuesday, 13 July 2010 13:08

My Voice:  Repealing law shows respect

James S. Taylor • July 4, 2010   Sioux Falls Argus Leader

James S. Taylor, 30, of Dakota Dunes, is a former imagery intelligence analyst for the U.S. Navy.

It is imperative for our country that the failed law known as Don't Ask, Don't Tell be repealed this year. Since 1993, more than 14,000 brave service members have been abruptly fired simply for their sexual orientation, and tens of thousands more voluntarily have left the armed forces because of the unnecessary burden of serving under this outdated law.

Numerous patriotic Americans who happen to be gay are ready and willing to serve in critical military positions that our country needs filled. At a time when our nation is facing so many challenges around the world, we need all who are willing to defend us.

Preventing Americans with vitally needed skills to serve simply because of their sexual orientation is frankly irrational and based on misunderstandings and unfounded beliefs. When the Senate Armed Services Committee voted recently on an amendment to responsibly begin the process of sun-setting the Don't Ask, Don't Tell law, Sen. John Thune, a member of the committee, not only voted against this reasonable amendment, but he also voted to block the entire defense funding bill - which provides critical funds and supplies to the troops - over the inclusion of this amendment.

The amendment passed despite Thune's attempt to hold up the entire defense bill over it, and a sizable bipartisan majority reported the bill out of committee. Now the issue will be taken up on the floor of the Senate, and we South Dakotans, along with almost 80 percent of the American public, expect Sen. Tim Johnson to do the right thing and support the amendment to begin phasing out the Don't Ask, Don't Tell law this year.

The Pentagon has put together a working group to thoroughly analyze all potential issues involved in implementing a repeal of this law. The current efforts in both the House and the Senate to repeal the policy this year do not undermine the group's efforts.

It has been made clear in both the House and Senate versions of the amendment that repeal of the policy would not become law until certain conditions are met. Namely, the working group would have to complete its study, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the secretary of defense and the president would have to certify that the military's readiness would not be impaired. Many of those who claim that efforts to pass the amendment in Congress will undermine the working group's efforts simply do not understand or are ignoring these important provisions.

All of our brave service members deserve our respect and admiration for their sacrifice and willingness to give their lives for the rest of us in the defense of our freedom. On a daily basis, gay and straight Americans serve alongside each other to defend our nation. Repealing this damaging policy finally would give all of our brave men and women the respect and honesty they deserve.

A policy that forces people to lie incessantly can only be detrimental to morale, unit cohesiveness and mission readiness. It is high time we increase the readiness of our military and give all of our service members the respect they deserve.

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