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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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9

Iraq Vet to Spearhead Reversal of 'Don't Ask'

Rep. Murphy steps in as bill's sponsor

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(Newser) – The battle to ditch the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays is being led by the first Iraq veteran to serve in Congress, the Los Angeles Times reports. Democratic Rep. Patrick Murphy has taken over as sponsor of a bill that would allow gays to openly serve in the military, and the party hopes the Bronze Star recipient will rally enough support to bring it to the House floor.

"It is vital to our national security," Murphy says of the bill."We have troops that are fighting in two wars, and we need every qualified, able-bodied individual." The former paratrooper captain says that while he anticipates a struggle ahead for the bill, "change is going to happen." Opponents who argue that the bill would damage national security are also gearing up for a fight, despite recent polls showing public support has swung strongly in favor of letting gays serve openly.

Rep. Patrick Murphy takes part in a House Armed Services subcommittee on Military Personnel hearing last year.
Rep. Patrick Murphy takes part in a House Armed Services subcommittee on Military Personnel hearing last year.   (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
Rep. Patrick Murphy is a former captain in the Army's 82nd Airborne.
Rep. Patrick Murphy is a former captain in the Army's 82nd Airborne.   (patrickmurphy.house.gov)
Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Pa., was the first Iraq veteran to be elected to Congress.
Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Pa., was the first Iraq veteran to be elected to Congress.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, file)
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9 comments
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shonangreg
Jul 2, 09 6:37 AM CDT
Now that legislation for a long term dissolution of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" is looking more likely, is President Obama any more likely to sign an executive order stopping current prosecutions under the soon-to-be antiquated law? .............. And I think if many, many, many soldiers all just started saying publicly, "I am gay", the prosecutions would all stop -- kind of like the king stepping in and asking who is Zorro, and everyone says they are. Reply
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+6
IN RESPONSE:
Reader65069154
Jul 2, 09 7:41 AM CDT
Perhaps in your fantasy land Hollywood world, this would work that way. In the real world, there are immature 18 year old high school graduates training to fight a war and if you don't think there's going to be problems with the openly "gay guy" you're wrong.
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-3
IN RESPONSE:
Adapt-Overcome
Jul 2, 09 7:46 AM CDT
Would be great if it were that easy. Unfortunatelly, there are many people that are fearful of the unknown and the Republicans continue to push fear, making it harder to do the right thing. I truely believe that someones sexuality has NOTHING to do with their ability to serve their country. Our children go to school with gay people and intermingle every single day and America is trying to say to the world that "Adults" can't get along because of someone's sexuality. And quite frankly, the "security" angle doesn't pass muster at all. "Don't ask don't tell" does. It can lead to blackmail and special favors. Openly serving leaves nothing to hold over someones head. Our politicians need to think of the future of our country as a whole and quit living in the fear of the past.
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+6
IN RESPONSE:
Reader65069154
Jul 2, 09 8:59 AM CDT
What an intellectually empty argument. First, tying the Republicans in makes it obvious this is just typical liberal fluff. This isn't political. It's about whether or not people can do their jobs, which involve life and death. Does your job involve life and death decision making, or do you sit in front of a PC all day? When you say you "truely believe" this has NOTHING to do with their ability to serve their country, is this based upon your military experience?
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-2
IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
Jul 2, 09 9:23 AM CDT
If you can't deal with someone's sexuality, then maybe you shouldn't have weapons at your disposal. Fuck both of these damn wars.
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+1

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