Detecting Lies

According to an article in RainbowZine, a group of gay veterans former are touring America to share their military experiences under the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) policy.

As you probably know, the DADT policy was enacted during Bill Clinton’s presidency – with his blessing – and AFTER his campaign promises to the LGBTQ community that he would end discrimination of gays in the military.

Adding insult to THAT injury – and spitting in the face of the thousands of LGBTQ people and our supporters who believed his promises – Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which effectively bans federal and state recognition of our LEGAL Canadian and Massachusetts marriages, our New Jersey and Vermont civil unions and our California domestic partnership registrations by every other state.

Of course, Clinton made those campaign promises to GET ELECTED in the first place -- before reneging on those promises – doing a 180 – in order to get RE-ELECTED in the second place.

Which brings us to the point of this blog:

On August 9th, Logo TV will broadcast a Democratic Presidential Debate where candidates will discuss issues like DADT, DOMA and marriage equality. We will be watching eagerly for promises to end governmentally sanctioned inequality for our families.

Thrilled as we are about that, we will NOT be holding our breath waiting for campaign promises to come true after a candidate is elected.

Candidates make promises they do not intend to keep – in other words, they LIE in order to get elected.

Our question to the candidates is – why should we believe you? What’s the difference between you and every other candidate who made empty promises to us?

That question is especially poignant for Hillary who may be hard pressed to question – let alone overturn – legislation and policy enacted and supported by her husband.

LOGO should hook all of the candidates up to lie detectors so that we can see whether the little needle goes crazy when they say they would appeal DADT or they support equal rights but not equal marriage!

But we digress…

The article about the gay vets reveals that since 1993 – when DADT was adopted:

“11,082 members of the Marines, Navy, Army, Coast Guard and Air Force have been discharged. Among them were highly-trained linguists. “

With the so-called Global War on Terror raging, one would hope that the US policy would see the need to end this obscene injustice. (Frankly, we don’t understand why anyone in their right mind would WANT to serve under this administration – especially given its inability to manage an effective military campaign.)

A truly progressive democracy should welcome any able-bodied person who is willing to serve.

Just as truly democratic societies should recognize the benefit of encouraging its citizens to create stable and legally recognized families.

LGBTQ equality on every level in society is a win-win situation for our democracy and our families.

Opponents of our equal right to participate fully as American citizens should be seen for what they are:

UNPATRIOTIC IGNORAMUSES!

Why, then, would candidates for office cater to THEM?

We hope Joe and Melissa will ask the candidates tough questions!

We will be watching the debate on LOGO and will keep you posted as to how you can watch it too!

Parsing Clinton's Views On Gay Marriage:

Regarding Hillary's response to a question about the Defense of Marriage Act appears to indicate that she MAY repudiate her husband's anti-gay legacy...

Why should we trust her?

From the RainbowZine article:

"It's worth remembering that Mrs. Clinton is ever cautious on divisive social issues. Her gay rights allies say that behind the scenes, Mrs. Clinton has pressed them to seek victories on incremental pieces of their agenda, such as non-discrimination legislation and parental and adoption rights, and to build broader support for gay marriage rather than make it the centerpiece of all battles now."

Hillary's request that we tone down our demands for equality are reminiscent of the character Wimpy from the Popeye cartoon series: forever promising to pay us on Tuesday if we give her our vote today!

Just like Bill, Hillary places her ambition above the needs of her LGBTQ supporters and constituents.

She is single-minded in her determination to be the first woman President, and we applaud her hard work and ambition. Yet we fear that she -- like her husband before her -- will do whatever it takes to get and stay elected.

Even if that means throwing you and me under the bus.

Read the article

Army Sends Amputees but NOT Gay People into Battle?

Hmmm, now let's see if we can get this straight....

The 1994 "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy maintains that homosexuality is "incompatible" with military service... but sending wounded soldiers who have LOST a limb is NOT incompatible...???

According to Lt. Col. Kevin Arata, a spokesman for the Army’s Human Resources Command at the Pentagon:

“The mindset of our Army has changed, to the extent that we realize the importance of all our soldiers and what they can contribute to our Army. Someone who loses a limb is still a very valuable asset.”

The Military Brass at the Pentagon should hang their heads in shame.

As they send men and women without arms and/or legs to battle an unseen enemy in an illegal war justified by lies and a lust for oil, how can they maintain their position that is is the LGBTQ community who is behaving immorally?

Really, we have nothing more to say about this absurdity and leave the commenting to you!