Is the Pentagon DADT Study Being Rigged?

[FreeState]

http://www.bilerico.com/2010/06/is_the_pentagon_dadt_study_being_rigged.php

I have written before on my personal blog about insider e-mails that I have received from inside sources at Westat - the contractor conducting the DADT study for the Pentagon - that indicate that there are reasons to be concerned that the study is being manipulated to find against the repeal of DADT.

Obviously, the results of a study can be slanted to arrive at a predetermined conclusion by way of what questions are asked and who is consulted for responses. Personally, I have zero confidence in the Pentagon's ability to deliver an unbiased study. Most of the top military brass has made it clear that they are homophobic and still hostile towards a repeal of DADT. Yet these very folks are directing the study.

Apparently, I am not the only one worried about a distorted study being delivered by the Pentagon. As the Denver Post is reporting, Citizens for Repeal, which represents active-duty gay and lesbian soldiers, has sent a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates criticizes the lack of input from gay and lesbian service members in the months-long Pentagon study on repeal of "don't ask, don't tell. Here are some story highlights (a copy of the letter can be found at the bottom of this post):

snip of article that points out there is NO input in the study from GLBT service members at ALL. (Denver post article: http://www.denverpost.com/frontpage/ci_15256223)


LGBT rights organizations need to be constantly vigilant to ensure that no manipulation is done to the DADT study so that the senior military leadership will not have maneuvered themselves into a position to torpedo the repeal of DADT. Of course, if we had true leadership from the White House and Congressional Democrats, such a study would not even be necessary. Sadly, we don't, and we are stuck with this abortion of a compromise - assuming the Senate passage the bill.

[aquart]

1. Do bears defecate in the woods?

[HillbillyBob]

2. We can be sure its rigged

why give the military the right to refuse or do a study?
The military is supposed to take orders from civilian authority not the other way around. I m also very much concerned about the evilgelicals running around loose in our military. I have had much abuse from so called Kreestians.

[old mark]

3. given the Obama regime's record on "rights", I have little doubt

it is being faked right now.

mark

[katandmoon]

4. +1

[FreeState]

5. Can you even imagine doing a study on a minority but leaving their input out?

That is in essence what this DADT study does. It leaves out any feedback or input from actual active duty members that are gay. Its disgraceful and a sham IMO.

[Divine Discontent]

8. study after study til they get the study they want! 1 that focuses on the ignorance of those who

don't understand that their GLBT counterparts are no more a threat to them than their straight counterparts (crime wise).

Straight & Gay have been serving together since warmongers have assembled armies. It's ludicrous to think otherwise or to live in La La World and think, they're not really here amongst us! ha...

[glinda]

6. What... is this like the 10th study or something? For pete's sake.

[old mark]

7. Look, gays have been serving openly in European military for decades now...

I am sure EVERY POSSIBLE "problem" has been addressed long ago. This is only a "problem" in the US thanks to our shitty "religious" culture and the cowardly politicians who run our country.

Obama is NOT your friend....I was a Union Steward, and he is not my friend either...


mark

[FreeState]

9. Thanks for your support

I have to say of all the organizations that claim to help GLBT right the Unions are the ones that always come through regardless. I try my best to return the favor.

[old mark]

10. This country should be grateful when people want to serve in the military.

I served 3 years back in the stone age - it is stressful at best, and those wishing to serve should be honored.

The whole issue is just foolish to me.

mark

[Touchdown]

11. Of course it is. There is no need for this "study" in the first place.

Only one more delay tactic and to find one more sham reason to continue the bigotry. "Studies" have been done since the 60s. Nothing has changed since then. Gay men, lesbians and bisexuals haven't changed since the last one.

[donheld]

12. That's the only reason there's a "study"

What the hell is there to study?

[Toasterlad]

13. It Would Be Criminally Stupid to Believe It Won't Be.

The only people less interested in gay equality than the Obama administration are the military brass.

[RetiredTrotskyite]

14. Knowing Obama and the Fundies He Is Apparently In Bed With...

or at least trying to get in bed with, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the study is being rigged. There is no real reason that DADT cannot be repealed NOW, and any "reasons" which are given boil down to worrying more about the hurt feelings of a few bigots. These people are simply vicious, bigoted asshats and why they should be allowed to prevent our having full civil rights in this country is beyond me. I am quite sure there is a predetermined conclusion waiting and it is not likely to be in our favour.

I, too, worry about the prominent presence of fundamentalists in our military as well as the amount of influence which they have. I understand that the Air Force Academy is full of them, as, I am sure, other branches of the service. They should be allowed to have their chaplains but that is it. There needs to be an investigation and all these politicking assholes thrown out. Of course, even if there was, that would probably be "rigged, too, and nothing would be done.

[donco6]

15. Delay, stall, stall, delay.

This way, they can wash their hands and say, "We see no fault in gays serving openly in the military. But they say they're not ready."