[Vision2020] Fwd: Admiral Says Military Gay Ban is "Odious"
Tom Hansen
thansen@moscow.com
Sun, 24 Aug 2003 11:00:17 -0700
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Mr. Arnold -
I am not (and never have been) a supporter of "polls". There are far too
many variables that must be taken into consideration to properly "weigh" a
poll. For instance (purely fictional), there is a poll that reflects that
one out of every five males is gay. Think of four of your closest male
friends. If they are not gay, than you must be gay.
When a commanding officer signs off on an administrative discharge of a
soldier under his/her command, he/she is not signing simply because the
majority of the soldiers in his/her command feel that soldier should be
discharged. The commanding officer has absolute final approval/disapproval
authority of all actions within his/her command. It is a matter of that
commander's discretion and reflects on that officer's concept of "command".
Here is another poll - Psychiatrists have proven that mental disorders occur
every 15 seconds. This means that 14 people are walking around Moscow
saying, "Thank God for Donovan Arnold."
Take care,
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho
-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-admin@moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-admin@moscow.com]On
Behalf Of Donovan Arnold
Sent: Friday, August 22, 2003 7:56 PM
To: tomh@uidaho.edu; mghuskey@hotmail.com; vision2020@moscow.com
Subject: RE: [Vision2020] Fwd: Admiral Says Military Gay Ban is "Odious"
Mr. Hansen,
I disagree with your statement that Top Level Brass discriminate at the
same levels as enlisted members. Polls consistently show the majority of
enlisted men oppose gays in the military. Of course it is top level brass
that dismiss the gay individuals from the military, Privates don't have that
authority. Nor am I saying that all top brass are for gays in the military,
nor am I saying that ALL lower ranks are against the idea of allowing gays
in the military, I am talking about the majority.
I never claimed to be an expert on the British policy but I know little
bit how it works. They have a "don't ask don't misbehave policy". They don't
ask people if they are gay when they enter BUT they are not allowed to
misbehavior toward others. Essentially what it means is if someone that it
gay doesn't sexually harass other members they are fine.
>Donovan J Arnold
Mr. Arnold -
>
>True. The "Don't ask. Don't tell." policy in the military was founded for
>political reasons, but NOT " . . . because of the huge amount of
homophobia
>on the lower levels of the enlisted." This homophobia goes alot higher.
>Many many homosexuals were administratively discharged by officers in
>command positions much higher than " . . . mid level brass". Alot of
these
>discharges resulted in "wrongful discharge" lawsuits. In order to reduce
>the number of lawsuits (and to protect the "integrity" of high ranking
>commanders) "Don't ask. Don't tell" was created.
>
>Since you appear to be knowledgeable in European military policies
>concerning gays in the military, could you please explain the British
>policy?
>
>Tom Hansen
>Moscow, Idaho
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Donovan Arnold [mailto:donovanarnold@hotmail.com]
>Sent: Friday, August 22, 2003 3:19 PM
>To: mghuskey@hotmail.com; vision2020@moscow.com
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Fwd: Admiral Says Military Gay Ban is "Odious"
>
>
>
>Much of the Military top brass opposes the "Don't ask don't Tell" policy.
It
>is a bad policy that is only supported by politicians and mid level brass
>because of the huge amount of homophobia on the lower levels of the
>enlisted. General Wesley Clark is also for changing the policy to match
that
>of the British, Australians, and other European nations. The British
>military works just fine.
>
>Donovan J Arnold
>
> >From: "Melynda Huskey"
> >To: vision2020@moscow.com
> >Subject: [Vision2020] Fwd: Admiral Says Military Gay Ban is "Odious"
> >Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2003 10:08:13 -0700
> >
> >By a pleasing coincidence, this message just crossed my desk . . .
> >
> >Melynda Huskey
> >
> >
> >FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> >
> >Contact:
> >Aaron Belkin, Director
> >Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military
> >University of California, Santa Barbara
> >805-893-5664
> >
> >SENIOR ADMIRAL SAYS LIFTING GAY BAN WOULD STRENGTHEN MILITARY
> >Former Navy JAG Calls 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' "Odious"
> >
> >SANTA BARBARA, CA, August 21, 2003 - The retired Judge Advocate
> >General
> >(JAG) for the Navy, Rear Admiral John D. Hutson, has called for the
> >end of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy banning openly
> >gay soldiers from service. In an article published this month in
> >the National Law Journal Admiral Hutson called the gay ban
> >"virtually unworkable in the military." The article argues that the
> >policy is the "quintessential example of a bad compromise," and that
> >the "don't ask,
> >don't tell" regulations are a "charade" that "demeans the military
> >as an honorable institution."
> >
> >Admiral Hutson, who retired in 2000, now lives with his wife in New
> >Hampshire, where he serves as dean and president of the Franklin
> >Pierce Law Center. As JAG, Hutson was the senior uniformed attorney
> >in the Department of the Navy. His job was to oversee all legal
> >issues in the Navy, supervise the 750 lawyers in the JAG Corps who
> >serve around the world, and provide legal counsel to top commanders,
> >including the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval
> >Operations.
> >
> >In an interview this week with the Center for the Study of Sexual
> >Minorities in the Military, University of California, Santa Barbara,
> >he said he initially supported the policy, concluding that "a
> >satisfactory resolution was impossible then." Since it was hammered
> >out in 1993, however, much has changed. "At that time," he said,
> >"we thought the sky could fall. To completely overturn the policy
> >ran the risk of undermining our ability to complete our mission."
> >But with the benefit of over a decade of experience with the policy,
> >and with what he called a "somewhat more enlightened population,
> >particularly among younger people," he now believes it's time to end
> >the ban. "That was then and
> >this is now," he said. "I am now convinced, as I was not then, that
> >the military could survive" lifting the ban entirely.
> >
> >When the policy was adopted, he explained, "I don't think any of us
> >thought it was going to be permanent. Nobody liked it. So then the
> >question became how long? Is it going to be a generation? Fifty
> >years? I think enough things have happened in the country, and then
> >on top of it all, you've got the Supreme Court overturning the
> >[sodomy] statute, that it just became time to reconsider."
> >
> >Admiral Hutson was a Navy Captain in the office of the JAG in 1993
> >when the current gay ban was formulated, serving as the JAG's
> >executive assistant. In 1997, he became the JAG himself, and it
> >fell to him to enforce the policy. Since retiring from the Navy in
> >2000, he has gained "a somewhat different perspective, and I think a
> >richer one." He now perceives "a very low level of support for the
> >policy." He advocates ending the ban because he recognizes "that
> >the American public is more ready for this and is not crazy about
> >the policy."
> >
> >Defenders of the ban have long argued that allowing gays to serve
> >openly would impair unit cohesion and undermine military readiness.
> >But a growing number of observers now argue that the ban itself, not
> >the presence of gays, may threaten morale, cohesion and performance.
> >
> >Last year, the policy faced a barrage of criticism when Americans
> >learned that nearly two dozen Army linguists, many specialists in
> >Arabic, were discharged under "don't ask, don't tell."
> >
> >Admiral Hutson said that ending the ban could help strengthen the
> >military. "Eliminating the policy on balance now would serve a
> >greater good and in many respects would foster cohesion. Unburdened
> >by
> >this odious policy, the Department of Defense might come out
> >stronger, and more able to defend the country." He explained this
> >was not only because more people could join or remain in the
> >service, but
> >because the public's support of the military could increase. "There
> >is right now what I perceive to be this blemish on [the armed
> >forces], and it ought to be removed. And if it is removed,
> >ultimately the military would feel better about itself and it would
> >be held in even higher regard by removing this fundamental
> >unfairness for a fairly significant population in the country."
> >
> >Since Congress made the gay ban a federal statute, the Pentagon
> >cannot overturn the policy without Congressional action. But
> >Admiral Hutson said that, although Congress would need to act to
> >repeal the ban, the Department of Defense could take the lead and
> >use its influence to reverse the policy. "The way things tend to
> >work inside the beltway," he said, "if the Department of Defense put
> >up enough of a squawk, Congress would not stand in the way." He
> >said the Pentagon could initiate studies, interview soldiers, and
> >call on the legislature to reconsider the law. "At some point,
> >obviously it needs to see the light of day."
> >
> >Admiral Hutson was prompted to write the article in the National Law
> >Journal after the Supreme Court overturned state sodomy laws early
> >this summer. While that decision did not immediately end military
> >regulations banning sodomy and prohibiting openly gay soldiers,
> >legal challenges are underway using the High Court's recent decision
> >as a new precedent. Dean Hutson argues that the American public has
> >"moved far enough along" for it to accept openly gay soldiers, an
> >assertion that is born out by several polls both within and outside
> >the military.
> >
> >Nathaniel Frank, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for the Study
> >of Sexual Minorities in the Military, said Admiral Hutson is the
> >most eminent military officer to call unambiguously for the lifting
> >of the
> >gay ban. "As the former JAG of the Navy," Dr. Frank said, "Hutson's
> >comments warrant special attention." The Santa Barbara Center has
> >published studies on the Israeli, British, Australian and Canadian
> >militaries since they lifted their gay bans, which conclude that
> >allowing gays to serve openly does not undermine military readiness.
> >
> >Admiral Hutson fears that the U.S. military is "falling further and
> >further behind" the American public. "This is what's discouraging
> >to me" he said. "I don't want an institution for which I have great
> >affection to be antiquated in its ideas. The military is better
> >than that."
> >
> >###
> >The Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military is an
> >official research unit of the University of California, Santa
> >Barbara. The Center is governed by a distinguished board of
> >advisors including the Honorable Lawrence J. Korb of the Council on
> >Foreign Relations, Honorable Coit Blacker of Stanford University and
> >Professor Janet Halley of Harvard Law School. Its mission is to
> >promote the study of gays, lesbians, and other sexual minorities in
> >the armed forces. More information is available at
> >www.gaymilitary.ucsb.edu.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >Go, said the bird, for the leaves were full of children,
> >Hidden excitedly, containing laughter.
> >Go, go, go, said the bird: human kind
> >Cannot bear very much reality.
> >Burnt Norton, T.S. Eliot
> >
> >_________________________________________________________________
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<META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; =
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<BODY>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D938344817-24082003><FONT color=3D#0000ff size=3D2>Mr. =
Arnold=20
-</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D938344817-24082003><FONT color=3D#0000ff=20
size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D938344817-24082003><FONT color=3D#0000ff size=3D2>I =
am not (and=20
never have been) a supporter of "polls". There are far too many =
variables=20
that must be taken into consideration to properly "weigh" a poll. =
For=20
instance (purely fictional), there is a poll that reflects that one out =
of every=20
five males is gay. Think of four of your closest male =
friends. If=20
they are not gay, than you must be gay.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D938344817-24082003><FONT color=3D#0000ff=20
size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D938344817-24082003><FONT color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2>When a=20
commanding officer signs off on an administrative discharge of a soldier =
under=20
his/her command, he/she is not signing simply because the majority of =
the=20
soldiers in his/her command feel that soldier should be =
discharged. The=20
commanding officer has absolute final approval/disapproval authority of =
all=20
actions within his/her command. It is a matter of that commander's =
discretion and reflects on that officer's concept of=20
"command".</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D938344817-24082003><FONT color=3D#0000ff=20
size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D938344817-24082003><FONT color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2>Here is another=20
poll - Psychiatrists have proven that mental disorders occur every 15=20
seconds. This means that 14 people are walking around Moscow =
saying,=20
"Thank God for Donovan Arnold."</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D938344817-24082003><FONT color=3D#0000ff=20
size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D938344817-24082003><FONT color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2>Take=20
care,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D938344817-24082003><FONT color=3D#0000ff=20
size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D938344817-24082003><FONT color=3D#0000ff size=3D2>Tom =
Hansen</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D938344817-24082003><FONT color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2>Moscow,=20
Idaho</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE=20
style=3D"PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px =
solid">
<DIV class=3DOutlookMessageHeader dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><FONT =
face=3DTahoma=20
size=3D2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> =
vision2020-admin@moscow.com=20
[mailto:vision2020-admin@moscow.com]<B>On Behalf Of </B>Donovan=20
Arnold<BR><B>Sent:</B> Friday, August 22, 2003 7:56 PM<BR><B>To:</B>=20
tomh@uidaho.edu; mghuskey@hotmail.com;=20
vision2020@moscow.com<BR><B>Subject:</B> RE: [Vision2020] Fwd: Admiral =
Says=20
Military Gay Ban is "Odious"<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<P><BR><BR></P>Mr. Hansen,=20
<P></P></DIV>
<P>I disagree with your statement that Top Level Brass discriminate at =
the=20
same levels as enlisted members. Polls consistently show the majority =
of=20
enlisted men oppose gays in the military. Of course it is top level =
brass that=20
dismiss the gay individuals from the military, Privates don't have =
that=20
authority. Nor am I saying that all top brass are for gays in the =
military,=20
nor am I saying that ALL lower ranks are against the idea of allowing =
gays in=20
the military, I am talking about the majority. </P>
<DIV></DIV>
<P>I never claimed to be an expert on the British policy but I know =
little bit=20
how it works. They have a "don't ask don't misbehave policy". They =
don't ask=20
people if they are gay when they enter BUT they are not allowed to =
misbehavior=20
toward others. Essentially what it means is if someone that it gay =
doesn't=20
sexually harass other members they are fine.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<P>>Donovan J Arnold</P>
<P> </P>
<P> </P>
<P>Mr. Arnold - </P>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>True. The "Don't ask. Don't tell." policy in the =
military was=20
founded for=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>political reasons, but NOT " . . . because of the huge =
amount=20
of homophobia=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>on the lower levels of the enlisted." This homophobia =
goes alot=20
higher.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>Many many homosexuals were administratively discharged =
by=20
officers in=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>command positions much higher than " . . . mid level =
brass".=20
Alot of these=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>discharges resulted in "wrongful discharge" lawsuits. =
In order=20
to reduce=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>the number of lawsuits (and to protect the "integrity" =
of high=20
ranking=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>commanders) "Don't ask. Don't tell" was created.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>Since you appear to be knowledgeable in European =
military=20
policies=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>concerning gays in the military, could you please =
explain the=20
British=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>policy?=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>Tom Hansen=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>Moscow, Idaho=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>-----Original Message-----=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>From: Donovan Arnold [mailto:donovanarnold@hotmail.com] =
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>Sent: Friday, August 22, 2003 3:19 PM=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>To: mghuskey@hotmail.com; vision2020@moscow.com=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Fwd: Admiral Says Military =
Gay Ban is=20
"Odious"=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>Much of the Military top brass opposes the "Don't ask =
don't=20
Tell" policy. It=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>is a bad policy that is only supported by politicians =
and mid=20
level brass=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>because of the huge amount of homophobia on the lower =
levels of=20
the=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>enlisted. General Wesley Clark is also for changing the =
policy=20
to match that=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>of the British, Australians, and other European =
nations. The=20
British=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>military works just fine.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>Donovan J Arnold=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >From: "Melynda Huskey"=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >To: vision2020@moscow.com=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Subject: [Vision2020] Fwd: Admiral Says Military =
Gay Ban=20
is "Odious"=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2003 10:08:13 -0700=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >By a pleasing coincidence, this message just =
crossed my=20
desk . . .=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Melynda Huskey=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Contact:=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Aaron Belkin, Director=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the =
Military=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >University of California, Santa Barbara=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >805-893-5664=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >SENIOR ADMIRAL SAYS LIFTING GAY BAN WOULD =
STRENGTHEN=20
MILITARY=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Former Navy JAG Calls 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' =
"Odious"=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >SANTA BARBARA, CA, August 21, 2003 - The retired =
Judge=20
Advocate=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >General=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >(JAG) for the Navy, Rear Admiral John D. Hutson, =
has=20
called for the=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >end of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" =
policy=20
banning openly=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >gay soldiers from service. In an article published =
this=20
month in=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >the National Law Journal Admiral Hutson called the =
gay ban=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >"virtually unworkable in the military." The =
article argues=20
that the=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >policy is the "quintessential example of a bad=20
compromise," and that=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >the "don't ask,=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >don't tell" regulations are a "charade" that =
"demeans the=20
military=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >as an honorable institution."=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Admiral Hutson, who retired in 2000, now lives =
with his=20
wife in New=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Hampshire, where he serves as dean and president =
of the=20
Franklin=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Pierce Law Center. As JAG, Hutson was the senior =
uniformed=20
attorney=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >in the Department of the Navy. His job was to =
oversee all=20
legal=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >issues in the Navy, supervise the 750 lawyers in =
the JAG=20
Corps who=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >serve around the world, and provide legal counsel =
to top=20
commanders,=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >including the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief =
of Naval=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Operations.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >In an interview this week with the Center for the =
Study of=20
Sexual=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Minorities in the Military, University of =
California,=20
Santa Barbara,=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >he said he initially supported the policy, =
concluding that=20
"a=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >satisfactory resolution was impossible then." =
Since it was=20
hammered=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >out in 1993, however, much has changed. "At that =
time," he=20
said,=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >"we thought the sky could fall. To completely =
overturn the=20
policy=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >ran the risk of undermining our ability to =
complete our=20
mission."=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >But with the benefit of over a decade of =
experience with=20
the policy,=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >and with what he called a "somewhat more =
enlightened=20
population,=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >particularly among younger people," he now =
believes it's=20
time to end=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >the ban. "That was then and=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >this is now," he said. "I am now convinced, as I =
was not=20
then, that=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >the military could survive" lifting the ban =
entirely.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >When the policy was adopted, he explained, "I =
don't think=20
any of us=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >thought it was going to be permanent. Nobody liked =
it. So=20
then the=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >question became how long? Is it going to be a =
generation?=20
Fifty=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >years? I think enough things have happened in the =
country,=20
and then=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >on top of it all, you've got the Supreme Court =
overturning=20
the=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >[sodomy] statute, that it just became time to =
reconsider."=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Admiral Hutson was a Navy Captain in the office of =
the JAG=20
in 1993=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >when the current gay ban was formulated, serving =
as the=20
JAG's=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >executive assistant. In 1997, he became the JAG =
himself,=20
and it=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >fell to him to enforce the policy. Since retiring =
from the=20
Navy in=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >2000, he has gained "a somewhat different =
perspective, and=20
I think a=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >richer one." He now perceives "a very low level of =
support=20
for the=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >policy." He advocates ending the ban because he =
recognizes=20
"that=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >the American public is more ready for this and is =
not=20
crazy about=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >the policy."=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Defenders of the ban have long argued that =
allowing gays=20
to serve=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >openly would impair unit cohesion and undermine =
military=20
readiness.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >But a growing number of observers now argue that =
the ban=20
itself, not=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >the presence of gays, may threaten morale, =
cohesion and=20
performance.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Last year, the policy faced a barrage of criticism =
when=20
Americans=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >learned that nearly two dozen Army linguists, many =
specialists in=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Arabic, were discharged under "don't ask, don't =
tell."=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Admiral Hutson said that ending the ban could help =
strengthen the=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >military. "Eliminating the policy on balance now =
would=20
serve a=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >greater good and in many respects would foster =
cohesion.=20
Unburdened=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >by=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >this odious policy, the Department of Defense =
might come=20
out=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >stronger, and more able to defend the country." He =
explained this=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >was not only because more people could join or =
remain in=20
the=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >service, but=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >because the public's support of the military could =
increase. "There=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >is right now what I perceive to be this blemish on =
[the=20
armed=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >forces], and it ought to be removed. And if it is =
removed,=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >ultimately the military would feel better about =
itself and=20
it would=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >be held in even higher regard by removing this =
fundamental=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >unfairness for a fairly significant population in =
the=20
country."=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Since Congress made the gay ban a federal statute, =
the=20
Pentagon=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >cannot overturn the policy without Congressional =
action.=20
But=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Admiral Hutson said that, although Congress would =
need to=20
act to=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >repeal the ban, the Department of Defense could =
take the=20
lead and=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >use its influence to reverse the policy. "The way =
things=20
tend to=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >work inside the beltway," he said, "if the =
Department of=20
Defense put=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >up enough of a squawk, Congress would not stand in =
the=20
way." He=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >said the Pentagon could initiate studies, =
interview=20
soldiers, and=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >call on the legislature to reconsider the law. "At =
some=20
point,=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >obviously it needs to see the light of day."=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Admiral Hutson was prompted to write the article =
in the=20
National Law=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Journal after the Supreme Court overturned state =
sodomy=20
laws early=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >this summer. While that decision did not =
immediately end=20
military=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >regulations banning sodomy and prohibiting openly =
gay=20
soldiers,=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >legal challenges are underway using the High =
Court's=20
recent decision=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >as a new precedent. Dean Hutson argues that the =
American=20
public has=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >"moved far enough along" for it to accept openly =
gay=20
soldiers, an=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >assertion that is born out by several polls both =
within=20
and outside=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >the military.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Nathaniel Frank, Senior Research Fellow at the =
Center for=20
the Study=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >of Sexual Minorities in the Military, said Admiral =
Hutson=20
is the=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >most eminent military officer to call =
unambiguously for=20
the lifting=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >of the=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >gay ban. "As the former JAG of the Navy," Dr. =
Frank said,=20
"Hutson's=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >comments warrant special attention." The Santa =
Barbara=20
Center has=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >published studies on the Israeli, British, =
Australian and=20
Canadian=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >militaries since they lifted their gay bans, which =
conclude that=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >allowing gays to serve openly does not undermine =
military=20
readiness.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Admiral Hutson fears that the U.S. military is =
"falling=20
further and=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >further behind" the American public. "This is =
what's=20
discouraging=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >to me" he said. "I don't want an institution for =
which I=20
have great=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >affection to be antiquated in its ideas. The =
military is=20
better=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >than that."=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >###=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >The Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in =
the=20
Military is an=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >official research unit of the University of =
California,=20
Santa=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Barbara. The Center is governed by a distinguished =
board=20
of=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >advisors including the Honorable Lawrence J. Korb =
of the=20
Council on=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Foreign Relations, Honorable Coit Blacker of =
Stanford=20
University and=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Professor Janet Halley of Harvard Law School. Its =
mission=20
is to=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >promote the study of gays, lesbians, and other =
sexual=20
minorities in=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >the armed forces. More information is available at =
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >www.gaymilitary.ucsb.edu.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Go, said the bird, for the leaves were full of =
children,=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Hidden excitedly, containing laughter.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Go, go, go, said the bird: human kind=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Cannot bear very much reality.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Burnt Norton, T.S. Eliot=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
>_________________________________________________________________=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >Get MSN 8 and help protect your children with =
advanced=20
parental=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >controls. =
http://join.msn.com/?page=3Dfeatures/parental=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> =
>_____________________________________________________=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >List services made available by First Step =
Internet,=20
serving the=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >communities of the Palouse since 1994.=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >http://www.fsr.net=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> >mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> =
>=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=
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<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>> _____=20
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>=20
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<DIV></DIV>> Get MSN 8 and enjoy automatic e-mail=20
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_____________________________________________________ List=20
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<DIV></DIV>>the Palouse since 1994. http://www.fsr.net=20
mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com=20
<DIV></DIV>
=
<DIV></DIV>>=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=
=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=AF=
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<HR>
<A href=3D"http://g.msn.com/8HMYENUS/2740??PS=3D"><B>Get MSN 8</B> and =
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