In about an hour, religious conservatives at the Family Research Council will hold a press conference with two retired military officials arguing that repeal of Don't Ask, Don't tell "will increase sexual tension and even sexual assault in the military."
Featured guests: Retired Col. Richard Black, U.S. Marine Corps, and Joseph Schmitz, former Inspector General of the Department of Defense.
Today Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., came out against repeal, but supporters picked up both Sen. Nelsons, Bill and Ben, Florida and Nebraska Dems, along with Susan Collins, the first Republican since DADT started in 1993 to support repeal. Two critical repeal votes are expected as early as tomorrow: one in the Senate Armed Services Committee and one in the full House. By all accounts they are going to be nail biters. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is pushing for repeal now before she loses seats in November, and won't call a vote unless she's certain she'll prevail. The Senate is a tougher nut, and the committee vote is the first step.
FRC claims it has "new research that confirms the military already has a significant problem of homosexual misconduct. This problem can only become worse if the current law is overturned and homosexuals are openly welcomed (and even granted special protections) within the military.
Read more:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/nov05election/detail?entry_id=64415&tsp=1#ixzz0p45qXRqq:eyes: