DADT vote happening now

Jess · 09-24-2010, 05:07 PM

Judge Orders Lesbian Reinstated To Air Force

by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
September 24, 2010
A federal judge ruled Friday that a decorated flight nurse discharged from the Air Force for being gay should be given her job back as soon as possible in the latest legal setback to the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton came in a closely watched case as a tense debate has been playing out over the policy. Senate Republicans blocked an effort to lift the ban this week, but two federal judges have ruled against the policy in recent weeks.

Maj. Margaret Witt was discharged under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy and sued to get her job back. A judge in 2006 rejected Witt's claims that the Air Force
violated her rights when it fired her. An appeals court panel overruled him two years later, leaving it to Leighton to determine whether her firing met that standard.

Witt, of Spokane, joined the Air Force in 1987 and was suspended in 2004 just short of retirement after her commanders learned she was in a relationship with a civilian woman. She was a flight nurse with an aeromedical evacuation squadron responsible for transporting and caring for injured soldiers.

Her attorneys, led by the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, insisted that Witt was well respected and liked by her colleagues, that her sexuality never caused problems in the unit, and that her firing actually hurt military goals such as morale, unit cohesion and troop readiness. Several members of the squadron testified to that effect and said they would welcome Witt back to the unit.

Lawyers for the Air Force said such evidence was irrelevant.

Military personnel decisions can't be run by unit referendum, they said.
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Former Marine Sees 'Long Way To Go' For Equality

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=4516989

iamkeri1 · 09-24-2010, 07:52 PM

I am totally jazzed by this decision. There is little likelihood that it will ne over turned in appeal since it was referred b the appellate court back to the lower courts for reconsideration. The talk on the news could be that this will bring an end to DADT since the court ruled that each person could only be fired following proof that they caused harm to the goal of the military or to the morale of the unit.

A little bit of progress made today
We shall overcome,
Smooches,
Keri

theoddz · 09-25-2010, 07:24 AM

Here's the decision of Maj. Witt's case as covered by Rachel Maddow.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908...52146#39352146

I'm totally thrilled with this. I look at each one of my own Drill Instructors from Parris Island, SC, (1979) who were discharged for simply being gay (all but one of 4) and I wonder where they are now. I know they're watching this and I can't help but feel that they are smiling. After 31 years, change is coming and justice is finally on the way.

I also wonder if they, like so many others who were discharged for no more cause than who they love, were among those who received administrative discharges that were "under conditions other than honorable". That was common back then, and it stripped these good people of all VA benefits and marred their records for life.

When DADT is finally overturned and things are put to right, I hope these past heroes will be able to submit application to correct their military discharges that will allow them full benefits as United States Veterans. I will keep these honorable men and women in my thoughts and prayers for justice and final resolution of this terrible wrong.

~Theo~

Jess · 09-25-2010, 07:58 AM

Thanks for the link Theo! What amazes me is that even after her discharge, this woman chose to work with vets. It says a great deal to her integrity and her loyalty to our armed forces.

Thanks again. I am also excited beyond words at the progress being made!

theoddz · 09-25-2010, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jess

Thanks for the link Theo! What amazes me is that even after her discharge, this woman chose to work with vets. It says a great deal to her integrity and her loyalty to our armed forces.

Thanks again. I am also excited beyond words at the progress being made!

I agree, Jess.

Speaking to the point you bring up about working with Vets.....there are many, many of us Vets out here who have chosen to work with other Vets. I, like Maj. Witt, was discharged against my will, though I was discharged for a reason related to my medical condition and not specifically because of my sexual orientation.

I think there is something "healing" about working with Vets, at least for me. I think Maj. Witt would understand this, if not feel similarly, herself. I wasn't able to complete my service contract for reasons I had no control over, either, but working as I do now with Vets, has helped to fill that void. In a strange sense, I feel like my employment with the VA has allowed me to serve in a capacity which I am able, even if it is not in uniform. The Veteran community is *my* community, a part of me. I've met and talked to a few other Vets, over the years, who have found themselves in similar circumstances, for whatever reason. I totally understand why Maj. Witt would and has *chosen* to put her skills, professionalism, heart and soul into working with Veterans. American Veterans are simply second to none.

I can't find the words to express how very happy and proud I am for Major Witt and the many, many proud service members and Veterans whom this case will affect in a lot of very meaningful and healing ways.

~Theo~

Jess · 09-27-2010, 05:44 PM

Petition to Eric Holder to allow fed court ruling that DADT is unconstitutional to stand!

http://gayrights.change.org/petition..._ask_dont_tell

Tommi · 12-22-2010, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jess

Petition to Eric Holder to allow fed court ruling that DADT is unconstitutional to stand!

http://gayrights.change.org/petition..._ask_dont_tell

I sit here watching it live on CNN.

Tears stream down my face for those who know, and those who do not. For those who ended their careers and their lives for coming out in the military.

For those who fought for this for years, and for those that have risen above and know our truth. Now we can serve openly and proud.

Honorably Discharged, but by the grace of God.

09-24-2010, 05:07 PM	#1
Jess Timed Out - Permanent How Do You Identify?: decidedly indifferent Preferred Pronoun?: other Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Patrick Springs, VA Posts: 2,812 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,247 Thanked 5,700 Times in 1,682 Posts Rep Power: 0	more DADT related stories... Judge Orders Lesbian Reinstated To Air Force by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS September 24, 2010 A federal judge ruled Friday that a decorated flight nurse discharged from the Air Force for being gay should be given her job back as soon as possible in the latest legal setback to the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The decision by U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton came in a closely watched case as a tense debate has been playing out over the policy. Senate Republicans blocked an effort to lift the ban this week, but two federal judges have ruled against the policy in recent weeks. Maj. Margaret Witt was discharged under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy and sued to get her job back. A judge in 2006 rejected Witt's claims that the Air Force violated her rights when it fired her. An appeals court panel overruled him two years later, leaving it to Leighton to determine whether her firing met that standard. Witt, of Spokane, joined the Air Force in 1987 and was suspended in 2004 just short of retirement after her commanders learned she was in a relationship with a civilian woman. She was a flight nurse with an aeromedical evacuation squadron responsible for transporting and caring for injured soldiers. Her attorneys, led by the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, insisted that Witt was well respected and liked by her colleagues, that her sexuality never caused problems in the unit, and that her firing actually hurt military goals such as morale, unit cohesion and troop readiness. Several members of the squadron testified to that effect and said they would welcome Witt back to the unit. Lawyers for the Air Force said such evidence was irrelevant. Military personnel decisions can't be run by unit referendum, they said. `````````````````````````````````````````````````` `````````````` Former Marine Sees 'Long Way To Go' For Equality http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=4516989

09-27-2010, 05:44 PM	#6
Jess Timed Out - Permanent How Do You Identify?: decidedly indifferent Preferred Pronoun?: other Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Patrick Springs, VA Posts: 2,812 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,247 Thanked 5,700 Times in 1,682 Posts Rep Power: 0	The Fight Isn't Over! Tell Holder: Don't defend "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Petition to Eric Holder to allow fed court ruling that DADT is unconstitutional to stand! http://gayrights.change.org/petition..._ask_dont_tell

09-24-2010, 07:52 PM	#2
iamkeri1 Member How Do You Identify?: femme woman Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: solo Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 905 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 302 Thanked 2,153 Times in 659 Posts Rep Power: 16642920	I am totally jazzed by this decision. There is little likelihood that it will ne over turned in appeal since it was referred b the appellate court back to the lower courts for reconsideration. The talk on the news could be that this will bring an end to DADT since the court ruled that each person could only be fired following proof that they caused harm to the goal of the military or to the morale of the unit. A little bit of progress made today We shall overcome, Smooches, Keri

09-25-2010, 07:24 AM	#3
theoddz Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Cranky Old Poop Preferred Pronoun?: Mr. Beast Relationship Status: Married to a beautiful babe whom I don't deserve. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,544 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,162 Thanked 9,939 Times in 2,516 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	Here's the decision of Maj. Witt's case as covered by Rachel Maddow. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908...52146#39352146 I'm totally thrilled with this. I look at each one of my own Drill Instructors from Parris Island, SC, (1979) who were discharged for simply being gay (all but one of 4) and I wonder where they are now. I know they're watching this and I can't help but feel that they are smiling. After 31 years, change is coming and justice is finally on the way. I also wonder if they, like so many others who were discharged for no more cause than who they love, were among those who received administrative discharges that were "under conditions other than honorable". That was common back then, and it stripped these good people of all VA benefits and marred their records for life. When DADT is finally overturned and things are put to right, *I hope these past heroes will be able to submit application to correct their military discharges that will allow them full benefits as United States Veterans. I will keep these honorable men and women in my thoughts and prayers for justice and final resolution of this terrible wrong. ~Theo~* __________________ *"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost."* -- J. R. R. Tolkien

09-25-2010, 07:58 AM	#4
Jess Timed Out - Permanent How Do You Identify?: decidedly indifferent Preferred Pronoun?: other Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Patrick Springs, VA Posts: 2,812 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,247 Thanked 5,700 Times in 1,682 Posts Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the link Theo! What amazes me is that even after her discharge, this woman chose to work with vets. It says a great deal to her integrity and her loyalty to our armed forces. Thanks again. I am also excited beyond words at the progress being made!