Right Wing myths about DADT busted

[ck4829]

MYTH: Don't Ask, Don't Tell is working

REALITY: Over 13,500 service members reportedly fired under law, including decorated officers and those in "critical occupations." According to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a "non-partisan, non-profit, legal services, watchdog and policy organization dedicated to ending discrimination against and harassment of military personnel affected by" the DADT policy, "ore than 13,500 service members have been fired under the law since 1994," based on Department of Defense data. That number includes numerous decorated officers and, according to a 2005 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, at least 54 servicemembers who had received Arabic language training, and more than 750 servicemembers in "critical occupations."

MYTH: Repeal would undermine morale and unit cohesion

REALITY: Unit cohesion argument "not supported by any scientific studies." In his award-winning essay, Prakash wrote of DADT: "The stated premise of the law -- to protect unit cohesion and combat effectiveness -- is not supported by any scientific studies."

MYTH: Military experts oppose the repeal of DADT

REALITY: More than 100 retired generals and admirals have called for DADT's repeal. The Palm Center has posted on its website a list of more than 100 retired generals and admirals who "support the recent comments of former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General John Shalikashvili, who has concluded that repealing the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy would not harm and would indeed help our armed forces."

MYTH: The public does not support repeal of DADT

REALITY: Numerous polls find broad support for gay men and lesbians serving openly in the military

MYTH: Right-wing attacks on DADT repeal are not anti-gay

REALITY: Prominent right-wing figures opposing repeal have a history of anti-gay rhetoric. For example: Wesley Pruden. In a February 5 Washington Times op-ed headlined "Nothing gay about this mission," Washington Times editor emeritus Pruden attacked repealing DADT by asserting that "there's really not very much gay about war"

MYTH: DADT repeal would adversely affect retention

REALITY: Claim defies experiences of several other countries that have allowed gay men and lesbians to serve openly. In his 2003 Parameters article, Belkin wrote that CSSMM's study (now the Palm Center) found that "ot a single one of the 104 experts interviewed believed that the Australian, Canadian, Israeli, or British decisions to lift their gay bans ... led to increased difficulties in recruiting or retention."

MYTH: Experience of other nations aren't relevant because "nobody counts on" their armies

REALITY: Several nations have fought in wars after allowing gay men and lesbians to serve openly. Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Canada -- all of which allow gay men and lesbians to serve openly -- all have more than 1,000 servicemembers deployed in Afghanistan. The United Kingdom and Canada have each suffered more than 100 casualties since the war began. Australia and the United Kingdom both participated in the invasion of Iraq; Australia sent 2,000 troops while the UK originally contributed 46,000. Israel has also engaged in numerous military conflicts since its 1993 removal of all restrictions on gay men and lesbians serving openly.

MYTH: Only progressives support the repeal of DADT

REALITY: Polls show support for repeal of DADT among many Republicans, conservatives. According to the February ABC News/Washington Post poll, 61 percent of conservatives and 64 percent of Republicans support allowing "homosexuals who DO disclose their sexual orientation" to serve. The February Quinnipiac poll found that 40 percent of Republicans support the repeal of DADT. The May 2009 Gallup poll found that 58 percent of Republicans, 58 percent of conservatives, and 60 percent of weekly churchgoers favor "allowing openly gay men and lesbian women to serve in the military."

MYTH: DADT repeal would expose servicemembers to greater HIV risk

REALITY: Military regulations and procedures already exist to prevent spread of HIV. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control, "Since October 1985, the U.S. Department of Defense has routinely tested civilian applicants for military service for serologic evidence of infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)." Further, U.S. military regulations require continued testing of all active-duty personnel every two years and provide procedures for preventing those who have tested HIV-positive from serving overseas or serving as blood donors.

http://mediamatters.org/research/201002240012

[saltpoint]

1. The 'would undermine morale and unit cohesion' argument went out

the window some centuries ago with the Theban Band and also with Alexander.

Opposition to DADT repeal is bigotry, plain and simple.

[sarge43]

2. Yes

Further, what is the basis for that argument? Gays and lesbians haven't been able to serve openly in the US forces, so how can that be determined? Not insufficient data, no data at all.

[saltpoint]

4. Agreed. Even Colin Powell has evolved on this issue.

His original opposition has been dropped. In light of the civil rights movement it does seem that unless Powell would like to see separate water fountains and segregated restrooms etc. for racial minorities, repeal of DADT should be done, and done fast.

Not a huge Colin Powell fan, but it's good to see him lending his persuasive voice to the right side of this issue.

[sarge43]

6. It's deja vu all over again.

The same 'argument' was used against both racial and gender service integration. One would think the bigots would read the get a clue memo, but then ignorance is skin deep; vicious and stupid goes to the bone.

[saltpoint]

7. It really was used -- exactly. Powell must have somehow figured out

that you can't exclude women and men from military service to their country if you also oppose keeping racial minorities from full citizenship.

Once in a while that ol' light bulb goes on over somebody's head.

[sarge43]

8. Took him long enough

But then I've always thought he's a wind sock. The winds of change are blowing in a new direction and he'll change with them.

(Sorry for the delay in answering. We're experiencing a major power outage here in NH thanks to that nor'easterly that blasted thru here. Our power was off for a day. Some areas won't get theirs back until Monday. Gotta love it.)

[Richard Steele]

3. K+R

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. If Gays Can Serve Openly In The IDF They Should Be Able To Serve Openly Everywhere

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