Jimmy Carter Calls on Congress to Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

SzczerbiakManiac · 05-15-2007, 01:12 PM

In a statement issued to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, former US President Jimmy Carter said:

Quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy Carter
It is my long-held belief that every human being deserves dignity and respect. I often heard that phrase during my years at the United States Naval Academy, I carried it out as Commander-in-Chief, and it continues to animate my human rights work around the globe today. The nation's commitment to human rights requires that lawmakers revisit "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the current policy that prevents lesbians, gays and bisexuals from serving openly in our armed forces.

Click here to view his full statement as a PDF.

innerSpaceman · 05-15-2007, 01:39 PM

And it was the Navy which recently reinstated the service of an openly gay member, and when Stars & Stripes reported on that newsworthy occurrence - - he was promptly discharged again.

If I recall correctly, he was performing some sort of vital Arabic translating in the Middle East - where there is a shortage of competent translators - and was re-discharged because he is gay. Please let our commander in chief let the nation know that we are jeopardizing national security so that our servicemen and women won't get coodiefied by Teh Gay.

alphabassettgrrl · 05-15-2007, 10:07 PM

Jimmy has long been given a bad rap but I think it's entirely undeserved. I liked him as president, I like him as the negotiator and ambassador he is, and this last statement pleases me greatly.

DADT has long been a mistake. The ban on gay servicepeople is and has been a mistake, especially in this time of personnel shortages and the lack of translators.

Repeal it.

Alex · 05-15-2007, 10:17 PM

Where was he 15 years ago when taking such a stand would have been more noteworthy and courageous?

(That's not rhetorical; I have no idea. Maybe he's been campaigning against Don't Ask, Don't Tell the whole time.)

Tref · 05-15-2007, 11:58 PM

From what I read, Jimmy Carter tried to call on Congress, but they had changed their phone number and didn't tell him.

scaeagles · 05-16-2007, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphabassettgrrl

Jimmy has long been given a bad rap but I think it's entirely undeserved. I liked him as president, I like him as the negotiator and ambassador he is, and this last statement pleases me greatly.

While somewhat off topic, I can only think of disastrous actions and embarrassing policy decisions that damaged this country.

JWBear · 05-16-2007, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphabassettgrrl

Jimmy has long been given a bad rap but I think it's entirely undeserved. I liked him as president, I like him as the negotiator and ambassador he is, and this last statement pleases me greatly.

DADT has long been a mistake. The ban on gay servicepeople is and has been a mistake, especially in this time of personnel shortages and the lack of translators.

Repeal it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaeagles

While somewhat off topic, I can only think of disastrous actions and embarrassing policy decisions that damaged this country.

You know this country is seriously f*cked-up when we start waxing nostalgic for the Carter administration…

Tramspotter · 06-04-2007, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphabassettgrrl

Jimmy has long been given a bad rap but I think it's entirely undeserved. I liked him as president, I like him as the negotiator and ambassador he is, and this last statement pleases me greatly.

Is he in your top 3?

innerSpaceman · 05-16-2007, 08:23 AM

And how would you compare, oh pick one of those alleged Carter disasters, with the policy of Don't Ask Don't Tell which results in the dismissal of highly qualified service personnel in a time of maximum military deployment?

scaeagles · 05-16-2007, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

And how would you compare, oh pick one of those alleged Carter disasters, with the policy of Don't Ask Don't Tell which results in the dismissal of highly qualified service personnel in a time of maximum military deployment?

Honestly, I see it as relatively minor. I fully admit to not having done any research or having any sort of data, but when someone is dismissed for violating the policy, we seem to hear about it in the media. I don't recall hearing of that many. But truthfully, I've never liked the policy established by....well, you know....and have never voiced support for it.

Anyway...historical revisionism? Do I really need to list his blunders and outright idiocy while in office? Even now his continued diplomatic efforts where they are not sanctioned by the US government are an embarrassment, as well as his recent book full of lies regarding the Palestinian and Isreali conflicts.

No historical revisionism necessary.

05-15-2007, 01:39 PM	#2
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	And it was the Navy which recently reinstated the service of an openly gay member, and when Stars & Stripes reported on that newsworthy occurrence - - he was promptly discharged again. If I recall correctly, he was performing some sort of vital Arabic translating in the Middle East - where there is a shortage of competent translators - and was re-discharged because he is gay. Please let our commander in chief let the nation know that we are jeopardizing national security so that our servicemen and women won't get coodiefied by Teh Gay.
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05-15-2007, 10:07 PM	#3
alphabassettgrrl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,978	Jimmy has long been given a bad rap but I think it's entirely undeserved. I liked him as president, I like him as the negotiator and ambassador he is, and this last statement pleases me greatly. DADT has long been a mistake. The ban on gay servicepeople is and has been a mistake, especially in this time of personnel shortages and the lack of translators. Repeal it. __________________ Why cycling? Anything [sport] that had to do with a ball, I wasn't very good at. -Lance Armstrong
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05-15-2007, 10:17 PM	#4
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Where was he 15 years ago when taking such a stand would have been more noteworthy and courageous? (That's not rhetorical; I have no idea. Maybe he's been campaigning against Don't Ask, Don't Tell the whole time.)
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05-15-2007, 11:58 PM	#5
Tref Not Tref Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,188	From what I read, Jimmy Carter tried to call on Congress, but they had changed their phone number and didn't tell him. __________________ Tref3.0 Listen in aural 3-D to Pop's muzak! (New songs added semi-bi-daily) j & j Did you know that Emas eht yltcaxe is exactly the same spelled backwards?!
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05-16-2007, 08:23 AM	#9
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	And how would you compare, oh pick one of those alleged Carter disasters, with the policy of Don't Ask Don't Tell which results in the dismissal of highly qualified service personnel in a time of maximum military deployment?
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