Maj. Margaret Witt was kicked out of the military because of the Don't Ask Don't Tell law. She was a military nurse who loved helping people and caring for the sick and wounded troops. And now that's gone.
"It's what I've spent over half my life training to do," said Witt as her voice broke, according to the AP. "I miss being able to be the one that that soldier looks at and I can do something for him. I'm not complete, and it kills me to not be there."
She still wants to serve. Dan Choi wants to serve. Victor Fehrenbach still wants to serve. All of these people have been publicly shamed, investigated and humiliated - yet they all want to come back. Can you imagine that kind of patriotism? I love my country but it makes me sick the way gay people are treated here. I couldn't see myself wanting to sign up again after all this.
If they're even offered that chance, once DADT is repealed. Or if it is repealed at all. Along with playing games with the troops, keeping them out of discussions of the survey or the new regs, along with the on again-off again "more humane approach", it now looks like Reid might not even really want repeal. It looks like he wants to say he tried.
Just over 60 votes had been lined up to break a filibuster on NDAA and allow the legislation to move forward for debate, amendments, and a final vote before the Senate adjourns for yet another month-and-a-half-long recess. That was until Senator Reid announced that he was going to use his status as Senate Majority Leader to block the minority’s customary ability to also offer their amendments to the massive annual defense spending bill.
If you have the votes, why would you risk it? Why would you hand the opposing side some ammo and a gun? The Republicans (and Webb) are the ones who oppose the bill and who are fighting it. Why, in an election year, wouldn't you capitalize on that?
Seven gay troops wrote essays talking about what DADT is like. You can find them here. I will excerpt sections.
A combat engineer lieutenant and West Point graduate writes
Along the way I have worked with numerous gay and lesbian noncommissioned officers, commissioned officers and soldiers who come from all walks of life.
The problems encountered are endless. How does a young gay N.C.O. live with his partner when he is forced to live in the barracks because the Army does not recognize his marriage?
How can a soldier receive emergency leave for a spouse who does not exist, according to the Army? How is it possible to incorporate your partner into family readiness groups while deployed?
A temporarily medically retired second lieutenant writes:
Eventually, I broke under the pressure. It took a toll on my health. I became severely withdrawn from my platoon. I sat alone in my room. I frequently cried. I lost interest in simple pleasures. I had become severely depressed and anxious.
At the time, I did not realize the extent of my crisis. My chain of command was not aware of the problem either. Months passed before I was eventually referred for mental health help. Several more months elapsed before I was stable enough to be medically retired from the military for depression and anxiety. It has been almost 18 months since I left active duty. Since I left the military, I have continued my recovery. I am fortunate. Not everyone survives. I could have lost more than my career; I could have lost my life.
An active-duty Air Force lieutenant writes:
If a soldier were to pass away during war, the normal procedures in the military would be to notify the individual identified by the soldier. At the burial ceremony a spouse or child would receive a flag on behalf on the government, to honor the sacrifice.
What if you are gay, or lesbian? Well, in my case the person I love would be out of luck. He would not be notified of my death first, and he won’t receive a flag at my burial. Even if I kept my sexuality private during my service, couldn’t the military at least honor the person I loved at my death?
We need to stop playing games, stop taking surveys and end this policy now.
EDIT: I like this title better.
UPDATE: via ridemybike and musing85 in the comments:
Call your senators. Write them. Send them faxes. If you can, go visit their offices, where it's harder to ignore you. We need particular pressure on the ones who are still on the fence: Olympia Snowe, (202) 224-5344; Susan Collins, (202) 224-2523; Scott Brown, (202) 224-4543; George LeMieux, (202) 224-3041; George Voinovich, (202) 224-3353; and Jim Webb, (202)-224-4024.
please contact your senators immediately!
they are still fielding calls and the more voices the better