Barack Obama's Position on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

BONUS ADDITION to Gays in the Military Series:

The Obama campaign is the fourth campaign to respond to the question “What is your position on the “Don't ask, don't tell” policy? Should gays be allowed to serve openly in the military?”

Here is his response:


Thank you for contacting Senator Barack Obama and Obama for America with your thoughts on gay rights. We appreciate hearing from you.

Senator Obama supports economic, social, and legal rights for gays and lesbians. He supports full civil unions, expanding hate crimes statutes, fighting discrimination at work and in housing and other places of public accommodation, and wants to increase adoption rights. He opposes any Constitutional ban on gay marriage, opposes the Defense of Marriage Act, and opposes the current “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays in the military, which weakens us in a time of global challenges.

Barack is a global leader in the fight against AIDS. He traveled to Kenya and took a public HIV test to encourage testing and reduce the stigma of the disease. In late 2006, Barack Obama worked to reauthorize the Ryan White CARE Act, one of the largest sources of federal funds for primary health care and support services for patients with HIV/AIDS.

Senator Obama has consistently supported gay rights, and will continue to work for an open, tolerant society where people of all sexual orientations are protected and their contributions are valued. Thank you again for writing.


Sincerely,

Obama for America

Mike Huckabee's Position on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

BONUS ADDITION to Gays in the Military Series:

The Huckabee campaign is the third campaign to respond to the question “What is your position on the “Don't ask, don't tell” policy? Should gays be allowed to serve openly in the military?”
Here is his response:


Thank you for writing me to ask about my position on this policy. I discussed this briefly along with other candidates in the debate, and I am happy to explain my position to you. I believe this policy works, and I don't think now is the time to change it, because our military commanders tell us it serves it's purpose in preventing the disturbances that occur when it is not adhered to. No member of our armed forces is allowed to behave or display personal characteristics in a way that complicates or interferes with unit function and unity. If our commanders say that this policy improves overall force performance by minimizing disturbances at the unit level then we should not change it, especially not in the middle of a war.

Thank you again for your question and for your interest in my campaign. I hope you will visit my website, www.explorehuckabee.com, to learn more about where I stand on this and other important issues.

Sincerely,

Mike Huckabee

Mike Gravels Position on Don't Ask, Don't Tell

BONUS ADDITION to Gays in the Military Series:

The Gravel campaign is the second campaign to respond to the question “What is your position on the “Don't ask, don't tell” policy? Should gays be allowed to serve openly in the military?”

Here is his response:

The senator's position is that "Don't ask, don't tell" is unconstitutional as it limits the rights of gay americans. The senator supports gays in the military



Gays in the Military Series:

Mike Gravels Position on Don't Ask, Don't Tell
John Edwards Position on Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Presidential Candidates Views On "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
6 Reasons Gays Should Be Allowed In The Military
[POLL] Should Gays Be Allowed in the Military

John Edwards Position on Don't Ask, Don't Tell

BONUS ADDITION to Gays in the Military Series:

The Edwards campaign is the first campaign to respond to the question “What is your position on the “Don't ask, don't tell” policy? Should gays be allowed in the military?”

Here is his response:

Dear Simmons,

Thank you for contacting the campaign about Senator Edwards' stance on “Don't ask, don't tell.” Edwards believes that our military ought to treat all service members equally and in a way that promotes national security, without regard to their sexual orientation.

Thanks again for your question.

Sincerely,

The Edwards Team


Gays in the Military Series:

John Edwards Position on Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Presidential Candidates Views On "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
6 Reasons Gays Should Be Allowed In The Military
[POLL] Should Gays Be Allowed in the Military

Presidential Candidates Views On "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

This is the final post (#3) in a series.

Sorry this post took so long. It was meant to contain e-mails back from the top 6 presidential candidates, but none have responded. Instead, this post will rely on public information.

Democrats

Hillary Rodham Clinton has not expressed her opinion of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy (instituted during her husband’s presidency) outright, but has conveyed some distaste for it. When asked in an ABC interview on her position, she responded by saying “I'm going to leave that for others to conclude.” But she later clarified her stance, saying, “I do not think homosexuality is immoral.”

Barack Obama made comments that sounded suspiciously like Clinton’s. When asked if he thought homosexuality was immoral (around the time General Pace’s comments), he replied “I think traditionally the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman has restricted his public comments to military matters. That's probably a good tradition to follow.” Just like Hillary, he explained his comments. His spokesman later said he disagrees with Pace.

John Edwards has been one of the clearest candidates, if not the clearest, on his position on “don’t ask, don’t tell”. A press release at his website explains his position. He strongly believes that the don’t ask policy is hindering our military, and that the policy should be repealed.

Republicans

Rudy Giuliani does not believe in discrimination against gays, but has no problem leaving the current policy the same. “I think the policy that we have right now, we should leave alone,” Giuliani said. “We are in a time of war.”

John McCain believes the military’s policy towards gays is “working” and that “it’s logical to leave this issue alone.” He claims some military leaders have told him the policy is working and shouldn’t be changed.

Mitt Romney, just like Giuliani and McCain, considers “don’t ask, don’t tell” acceptable. Once a supporter of gays, his believes have changed. Rudy Giuliani and John McCain both believe we are at war and the situation shouldn’t be changed, and coincidentally, Romney does not wish to change the status quo.

6 Reasons Gays Should Be Allowed In The Military

As part 2 in the ongoing Gays in the Military Series, today we'll have a look at why gays should be allowed to serve openly in the military.

1. People who say they shouldn't be allowed give reasons that are wrong.
People who believe gays shouldn't be allowed in the military (who shall be known from now on as "bigots") have essentially two reasons that homosexuals should be banned from the Army: They are immoral and/or disrupt soldiers from carrying out their duties. First of all, being homosexual is not immoral; saying it’s immoral is bigotry. Secondly, gays don't interfere with the military's everyday functioning. For more elaboration, see numbers 2 and 6.

2. They don’t affect other soldiers
As mentioned previously, homosexual soldiers do NOT affect other soldiers. They can go about their daily military activities, just like everyone else. Should women be barred from service because they distract male soldiers? No, of course not, that would be sexist! Then why isn't stopping homosexuals from joining the military, homophobic? If women don't disrupt the military, why would gays?

3. There was no problem before the 1990s
Throughout the Revolutionary War, The War of 1812, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, The Korean War, and The Vietnam War, and The First Gulf War, homosexuals served in the army without major problems. Why couldn’t they now?

4. It creates a loophole for those wishing to leave the army
If a soldier, suffering under heavy stress, wishes to stop participating in an unpopular war (Iraq), "Don't ask, don't tell" creates a way in which deserters can get out of the army. If a soldier appears to admit that he or she is not heterosexual, they can be discharged.

5. The army needs more soldiers
As a more practical approach towards the situation, you could look at this way: The army needs more soldiers. How can the army go about achieving this? Allowing gays to enlist.

6. “All men are created equal”
This line may not be law, but it is the symbol of American justice. Homosexuals are just like everyone else; they were born equal too. It is about time we live up to our promise.

Gays in the Military Series:

[POLL] Should Gays Be Allowed in the Military
6 Reasons Gays Should Be Allowed In The Military

[POLL] Should Gays Be Allowed in the Military

As part of the new Gays in the Military Series, a poll has been launched to get your opinion on whether those who are homosexual should be allowed in the military

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