TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — 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.
AP
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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Comments (164)
froggy19510
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 11:09amNo brainer…Lesbian judge, lesbian plaintiff, BAD BAD INTOLERANT AIR FORCE. Find for the plaintiff. I don’t know why anyone would be surprised. 8\
Report Post »neverending
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 11:06amNo surprise here – bastard in chief has thrown all rule of law out the window!!!
Report Post »AMERICANCITIZEN
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 11:05amShe should not have been kicked out because of her sexuality. But if she violated some oath (affair with married person) she should be getting the same disapline as her strait counter-parts.
Report Post »My opinion is no one should have different rules, we are equal no matter what, The constitution states that we are all created equal period.
There are laws protecting people from unwanted advances if they should happen, its called Harrassment. There should not be any different treatment for anybody , we all should live under the same laws, Strait , Gay , White , Black, Asian, Young , Old etc.
DHardt
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:49pmMy thoughts exactly. My DH, as soldier, says the same thing.
Report Post »SnapTie
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 10:53amLook at me. Look at me I’M gay. Sorry but somebody is going to get hurt. The military men and women play a different game than civilians.
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 11:08amSNAP TIE comments, “The military men and women play a different game than civilians.”
Our military girls and boys play by the same rules as all Americans. Being in the military does not exempt a person from our laws nor our societal mores.
When a nation exempts its military force from national laws and societal mores, this is a nation most often under control of a tyrannical military junta.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
CanIGetABreak
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 7:52pm@ Okpulot Taha – The military actually has more laws to abide by than civilians. They also have harsher punishments than civilians. When’s the last time you could go on restriction or lose half your pay for being late for work. When you join the military, you sign a contract to give up your rights in order to protect the rights of your fellow citizens.
Report Post »Did you know you could lose pay or even be jailed for protesting while in uniform. So, please understand that the military has rules and they already give up much including watching their children grow up to serve our nation.
Okpulot Taha
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 10:46amSuck it up and deal with it, little boys. I am out-flanking you with your own hypocrisy.
To be sure readers do not make wrong assumptions, I respect and honor our military girls and boys. Those kids and adults are amongst the best of people; they sacrifice for us. A vast majority of our military girls and boys are highly honorable, are the best of Americans. They are our heroines and our heroes. We are forever indebted to those who honorably serve in our military.
We would be fools to not acknowledge there are problem people serving in our military, just as we would be fools to not acknowledge there are problem people serving in our government. This is the nature of reality. Our very justice system is acknowledgment there are problem people throughout our society.
We are to never weigh the worth of a person by skin color, by faith, by political belief nor by sexual orientation. We are to weigh the worth of a person by actions and by deeds. A person being gay, lesbian or straight, none of this matters. Only actions and deeds are of importance. We are to honor all who honor our nation regardless of personal convictions.
While a person contributes benefit to our society and to our nation, this person is to be respected and to be honored regardless if we agree or disagree with this person’s personal beliefs.
This is our American way.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
KEA
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:01pmIt does matter because in the military you do not have a choice as to who you share a room with or bunk with. Permitting gays to serve creates tension and that destoy’s unit cohesion. The military is a volunteer force and when you volunteer you subject yourself to the UCMJ rules and its those rules that you have to obey. Anyone who is gay and gets in the service violated their enlistment oath right off the bat and should be discharged not for being gay but for fraudulant enlistment.
I dont expect anyone who has not served to understand but know the last thing we need is a very select group of people to keep pushing their ideology down our throats. We are tired of it. UCMJ is the law you have to live by when you enter the military. Honor the oath you took or get the hell out.
Report Post »Endstatism
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 5:33pmIts more than disconcerting that you want to purge the military of those who do not agree with your views. You are more concerned about political correctness and ideological purity that having a effective and strong military. The last time in history where political correctness was elevated about readiness was the 1930s era Stalinist Soviet army.
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 10:19amOur family enjoys a girlfriend we are helping out. We have known her for a couple of decades.
She was married to a career military man for almost twenty years. Theirs is or was a very typical American family. Nice home in a nice neighborhood. Three kids, a dog, couple cars, usual joys and usual struggles so common to American families.
Her husband is deployed to Iraq. He comes home to a hero’s welcome by his loving family. This soldier boy promptly gives his wife a venereal disease. Of course she divorces him for cheating on her, for his giving her a disease.
She is now a single mother with three kids really struggling to make ends meet. Sometimes she needs help. We provide this help. She is a prideful woman and mother, this humiliates her to need help to take care of her kids.
Her cheating military former husband lives a good life. Our military provides shelter for him, provides clothes, food, medical needs, all of his needs are taken care of by our military. This military boy brought home a sexually transmitted disease to his family, tore apart his family, left his wife a single mother scrambling to survive.
This military boy faces no military disciplinary action for what he has done to his family although he has committed the most vile of unbecoming conduct.
You military boys fret over who is bedding down with whom, take to screaming and wigging out over gays and lesbians and call for dishonorable discharge of gays and lesbians.
Contrasting, you have no problem with committing adultery, no problem with bringing home a sexually transmitted disease to your families and have no problem with tearing apart your families then abandoning your trusting wives to lives of struggling single mothers.
Why is this? Why do you display such disrespect for our American tradition of honoring family?
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
Endstatism
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 5:27pmI have a hard time believing your story about this guy. If he indeed was having relationships outside of marriage, he can be court martialed and discharged for adultery. People have been kicked out of the military for cheating on spouses.
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 9:48amGUNNY 8511 comments, “This woman should have been discharged for ‘conduct unbecoming an officer’ as she was outed by the husband of the woman she was having an affair with.”
What of military boys deployed overseas who come home to their families with Drippy Richard in their pockets? Bringing home a sexually transmitted disease to a family is not appropriate conduct, yes? Those boys who commit adultery during service should be dishonorably discharged. Any soldier who visits with a military doctor to seek cure for a venereal disease should be put on report then dishonorably discharged for their unsightly and disgusting personal dishonorable discharge.
You boys hold gays and lesbians to a high standard of sexual conduct but do not hold yourselves to the same high standard of sexual conduct.
I have issues with such contagious hypocrisy.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
lazylranch
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 9:57pmDarlin’,
Report Post »You are spouting a lot of hate nonsense and BS. You need to do as you suggest and just “suck it up and deal with it”! The military has a lot more to deal with than just civilian rules. Get over yourself; I don’t think you are quite the expert you that you want us to think you are.
gunny8511
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 9:06amThis woman should have been discharged for “ conduct unbecoming an officer” as she was outed by the husband of the woman she was having an affair with.
Report Post »KEA
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 9:14amIf that is the case then your absolutly correct. She violated yet ANOTHER portion of the UCMJ.
Report Post »lazylranch
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 9:38pmGunny, You are absolutely right! That is the whole point and this woman’s sexuality has nothing to do with it. She is using that to try to get some attention. Her conduct was unbecoming and she needs to get her panties untwisted and get on with her civilian life!
There is something that I don’t think civilians understand. When we join the military, we sign an oath and we are then subject to not only civilian laws, but also the UCMJ. She violated the UCMJ and lost her job.
Report Post »heidi586
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:34amWas she doing her job and doing it well? If so, then the military was foolish (and I would say wrong) to get rid of a soldier who wasn’t causing any troubles for the military.
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 9:16amHEIDI 586 comments, “…the military was foolish (and I would say wrong) to get rid of a soldier who wasn’t causing any troubles for the military.”
More than foolish. Her discharge was absolute idiocy. Our military invested a million or more dollars into training and deployment of Major Witt. This is a million or more dollars of our taxpayer money. We Americans paid this bill. Clearly Margaret Witt did not rise to a rank of Major through incompetence; she is a valuable asset for our nation.
I am not surprised our military displays such stupidity, our military is known for paying $500 for a claw hammer and $5,000 for a toilet. Annoys me our military is so wasteful with our hard earned money yet refuses to be held accountable for this waste of our money.
I am always surprised, will always be surprised by how quick military boys will stab their fellow soldiers in their backs. This disgraces our America.
Personally, I think a Section 8 discharge would be appropriate for some of these psychotically homophobic soldiers inflicting dishonor upon the finest girls and boys on earth, our military girls and boys. Ours is America. Ours is not Iran.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
dsvet1990
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 10:20amOkpulot taha – As one combat vet who Does Believe in the UCMJ, understands why the Rules are the way they are and believes there is no place in the military for “OPEN” homosexuality i am insulted that someone would make a comment like yours about our Armed Forces. This person KNEW the RULES going in, took her chances and LOST. Now some judge who has never served in the military is going to push his belief on the military instead of enforcing the law (and currently dont ask dont tell is the law) and it will be our armed forces who will ultimately suffer for it.
Report Post »Okpulot Taha
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 11:52amDS VET 1990 comments, “i am insulted that someone would make a comment like yours about our Armed Forces.”
Clearly you have mistaken me for someone who cares. Suck it up and deal with it, little girl.
Did you come home from Desert Storm all shot up and near death as my husband came home from Vietnam? Our soldiers who lost their lives in war cannot speak for themselves. We are to speak for them, we are to honor them. Our responsibility is to defend our Constitution, to defend our laws and to defend our societal mores. This is what our fallen soldiers died defending, this is what all of our soldiers fight to defend; our American way of life.
Military law is to never supersede our Constitution nor our laws. Military mores are never to supersede our societal mores. Military or civilian, we all are to abide by our Constitution, by our laws and by our societal mores.
Our military is never to become an entity separate from our society, is never to become exempt from our Constitution nor our laws nor our societal mores.
Should we allow our military to be exempt from our American way of life, we become at risk of losing our freedoms to a military dictatorship. Our military is under civilian control and this is for a good reason; to protect our freedom.
Too often our soldiers go all macho on us, begin to believe themselves better than their civilian counterparts. You boys go right ahead and be macho militant men, and I will share a story of how our military and our Veterans Administration nearly killed my husband through medical mistreatment. Had he not made good his escape from a VA hospital, had he not gone AWOL, he would be dead.
A result of his death is our family would never have come to be nor would our girl have been born.
Day he stepped off a Greyhound onto our dusty dirt road out front of our farm, bleeding and near collapse and death, the day he came home to our family to have us save his life, I began to understand our military does not always do right.
So you go right ahead and be macho and I will remind you of the millions of families, millions of parents, of brothers, sisters, children, I will remind of you of millions of civilians who bear emotional scars for life inflicted by warfare. Our brave soldiers are not the only who suffer scars of war.
We are Americans, we are all in this together. This is never to become a battle between our society and our military. We all enjoy our victories and we all suffer our losses equally, and we must fiercely defend equality for all, military and civilian alike. We are Americans.
Okpulot Taha
Report Post »Choctaw Nation
Down2TheC
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:02am“Learned” she was in a relationship? Sounds like someone asked or someone told. Otherwise she’s still be in. Unless she was making out in the park, there’s no way she gets booted unless someone asked or someone told. Try to think of a scenario that is actionable where the DADT law was followed.
Report Post »faith83634
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 7:34pmHow they “learned” she was in a relationship is that she had an affair with a married woman. The husband in this case reported it to JAG which led to her dismissal. One thing that I would like to point out is that this story had been turned into a gay rights story not a “actions unbecoming of an officer story”. That was the reason for her discharge. The same code of conduct is applied weather you are male or female or gay or straight. Her actions were Unbecoming of an Officer and should have the same consequences that every one else has. In my opinion the only was she could sue was to use her being gay as the defense. Other wise no news story no law suit.
Report Post »KEA
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:01amLegally she has not leg to stand on! She entered the service in 1987 and KNEW then what the UCMJ was and took an oath to it and this country. The rules for her were no different today than the day she took that oath.
Way to many are missing that key point. She volenteered for that job and taking up a gay life violated the very oath she took.
If nothing else, throw her out for violating her oath!
Report Post »heidi586
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:42amKEA: I’m not arguing with you… I wasn‘t in the military so I don’t know. What are the words of the oath? Is each branch different? Does it say something about sexual behavior? Is it possible for you to share it? Sorry for so many questions, but you have me curious about the oath one takes in the military.
Report Post »KEA
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 2:55pmThey take an oath and even sign entry documents that acknowledges you are now subject to the UCMJ. Part of the UCMJ outlines homosexuality is not permitted in the military.
The oath, which I took over 20 years ago deals with the acknowledgement of devotion to defend the consititution and the UCMJ. I dont have the excat words but I suspect in todays world of internet its easy to find. The oath is the same for ALL branches.
Report Post »KEA
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:13pmI, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will OBEY THE ORDERS of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, ACCORDING to Regulatsions AND the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.
Report Post »TruthisHealthy
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 7:56amFirst of all being GAY/LESBIAN is not a choice. It’s amazing how many ignorant human beings believe this myth! How would you know if you’re not gay/lesbian? You would’nt.
However, I do not support gays to serve openly in the armed forces. It’s too dangerous.
My reasoning is simple and clear. Too many so called heterosexuals would have no problem killing any of us, epecially in a war zone. And, they’d get away with it too.
I am a conservative LESBIAN who is a PATRIOT. I’ve served in the United States Marine Corps. I too was thrown out for being gay. It’s wrong and the hypocrits know it. But, it will never change. And, by the way I received an Honorable Discharge and a letter stating that I should never have been discharged!
The G.O.P. should embrace all people. Sadly, they discriminate and despise most that don’t believe as they do. Bull.
If we’re such a God fearing Country, why is there so much hate and hypocrisy?
If you saw me walking on the street, or sat with me at lunch you’d never know that I am a lesbian.
Report Post »Why should’nt I have the same rights as you?
KEA
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:17amIt is a choice! If you believe in God you will see that the whole package is about choice. You choose to follow is word or not.
If you think people are born that way then your not being honest with FACTS of science. To date not a single shread of scientific evidence points to homosexuality being a genetic issue. Its choice and no matter how many times you rant that its not or claim its a myth it doesnt change the facts.
I HATE homosexuality as its a sin. I love the sinner, hate the sin. I dont need to know your a lesbian when I see you walking down the street and even if I did your assumption that I would HATE you for it is wrong. That is not what my GOD teaches.
If you got booted for being a lesbian then you got what you had coming as you took an oath to be subject to the UCMJ. That very code outlines your situation and you violated that oath. Doesnt make you a bad person just means you violated your oath and you got a punishment that you didnt like. Get over it.
This is not about gays serving or not, its about them refusing to stick by the oath they took. We will not allow you to set the agenda. The rules set that agenda and you broke them.
Report Post »baldwin4freedom
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:40amThis is such a touchy subject.
Different trades or professions have different standards for employees. For example, I am a metal building contractor and I refuse to hire people that are over weight or frail in stature. This is a more obvious example because of the job’s physical demands. If I had to hire overweight people my job efficiency would go down and I would loss money on every job, thus failing to stay in business.
The military has standards also and because of how they live and work, homosexuals must keep their sex life to themselves to maintain the highest order within their ranks.
The key point to this issue is that the federal government has no business dictating what kind of person a business must hire.
We as individuals have the right to do what we want as long as it does not interfere with anothers rights. There are many options for people to control their own direction. An overweight individual that wants to work in a field that requires a high physical demand they then must loss weight, even though they may be naturally prone to being overweight.
We all have individual battles that we must fight everyday. The key word is individual, thus it is no one elses battle. If an individual a gay individual wants a job where being gay interferes with the job they must then make an adjustment in their being to do the job.
Why should gays get a free pass when the rest of us do not.
Report Post »Gay Bee
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 7:03pmTRUTHISHEALTHY thank you for your service to our country and sorry for your discharge. I too am a “conservalez” :) and know full well we did not choose our sexuality no matter what anyone says nor are we seeking anyone’s approval. My ex served honorably at Bethesda Naval Hospital but chose to leave because she did not want to be closeted against her will. I read a comment from someone else who said they “have nothing against gay people but why do they have to shove it down our throats?” That‘s funny that the mere mention of our sexuality is interpreted as shoving it down someone’s throat! So are we to interpret someone mentioning their spouse or kids as shoving their heterosexuality down our throats? Absurd! I watched Lt. Dan Choi on Freedom Watch with Judge Napolitano this morning. He is a fantastic spokesman for our community and our country. Take care.
Report Post »LuvMEsomeObama
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 7:44amThe facts are important. Democracy requires an informed and rational body politic. Mr. Retired marine many liberals are in the military and have always been. They have served their country well and do not deserve your put down. My great uncle marched upon the shores of Normandy. He was a liberal. My two brothers presently serve as Air Force officers, one is a majr. There should be a space people can speak about issues without putting down people whi serve this country with pride and protect your free speech and your personal safety daily. Stick to the facts and be respectful when expressing your opinion!
Report Post »sokeijarhead
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 7:12amWhat really bites my ——– is that liberals have not conception of military life Ive said it before I am a retired Marine I have first hand knowledge of the harm gays in the military cause. Liberals think that service in the military is a right, it is a privilege not a right. If this goes through what is next a child molester can join and stay in get real America we have to stop this.You have to conform fit in that is the way the military is.
Report Post »TruthisHealthy
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:01amAre you referring to pedophilia when you say child molester? How dare you insinuate that homosexual men are child molesters? Excuse me, you’re wrong.
And, IF the dems achieve their agenda it’s your fault too. Get used to it pal, we’re everywhere.
God is my Creator. And, he LOVES his Children!
KEA
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:07amTruth, Yes God is your creator and Yes God Loves you but rest assured God HATES the sin of homosexuality.
Its nothing personal, its just they way it is! Love the sinner, hate the sin!
Homosexuality is a choice and anyone in the military today knew the rules before they went it and took an oath to be subject to those rules. Break them and you pay.
Serving in the military is NOT a right, its a privalage. Not everyone may partake. Gays are not the only people excluded from serving so get over it.
We are not backing down on Gods word and if you truly knew Gods word you would not be making the comments your making.
Report Post »benrush
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 6:56amTotalitarians, what a cute and fuzzy bunch of folks. They’re so broad minded, they just can’t understand how the rest of us rubes get along without them.
Impeach judges who make up their own laws.
Report Post »Eraty Bab
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 6:49amSince he’s a liberal. They is all riding the band wagon now.
Report Post »conservativeme
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 6:23amSince when does a federal judge have any say in our Military?
Report Post »wOOD
Posted on September 26, 2010 at 2:29pmConservativeme made a correct statement. with the question asked, ” since when does a federal judge have any say in the military’? Th obviou answer is, “never”. Can a federal judge at his or her discretion have th power to overturn a conviction of a military nature.
Report Post »JoKerr
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 5:29amThe funny things about this whole story is that Civilian Courts have absolutely no authority in the military. Show me the rank and hierarchy of a Civilian Judge. Is that above or below a Lt. Col?
The liberals keep trying to push their agenda in the courts because that’s the only way they know how to do it, but they need to be in the right courts first. Idiots. If a military person has an issue they take it to the Judge Advocate General, or J.A.G. Officer. They are the military lawyers, and they try their cases in military courts.
Report Post »wOOD
Posted on September 26, 2010 at 2:21pmMilitary personel are under the UCMJ and not civilian law, state or federal, if the offense is committed within the jurisdiction of the military. This woman took an oath to abide by the decisions of UCMJ a federal judge has no jurisdiction in such a case
Report Post »cologoddess
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 5:03amOh good grief people… seriously. Let’s stick to this case and this Major. She had served HONORABLY for 17 years! No one had made a complaint about her behavior or actions…. she had kept her sexuality to herself. She should not have lost her retirement because of who she is attracted to… c’mon! We have got to get over this and move on. And I agree w/ one thing Ron the Vet said and that is we should let the Military decide this issue…. TAKE A VOTE. Not the Generals and the Admirals… I am talking the men and women in the field who would be most affected by any change… let them VOTE amongst themselves and once and for all get this issue behind them. I have had gays in my life – my entire life… and just because I might be sleeping next to one does not mean they are gonna’ attack me… that is just a ludicrous argument and frankly so conceited it’s beyond laughable. THEY DON’T WANT YOU! lol…. get over yourself. Any job or chosen career should be based upon performance and performance ONLY. Content of your character… not the color of your skin. And if you think sexuality is any different than skin color… you are wrong. They do NOT choose to be Gay! Everyone had a classmate when they were growing up who was called “sissy” or the dreaded “F” word…. you know who you are. Yeah….. they grew up and came out and realized that they were in fact gay. Do you think they “chose” to be that way? Do you think they chose to be effeminate in elementary school for God’s sake? And if anyone goes all Bible-thrower on me – don’t bother. I do not take that passage any more seriously than I do the ones that recommend beating your wife, etc. Get beyond this issue please!
Now I will say for the record… I am NOT on board w/ the “Gay and Lesbian” agenda that is wanting to infiltrate our schools and churches w/ their agenda. I do not think kids need ANY education or “enlightenment” on homosexuality. They should only be taught the simple birds and bees and that is it. And I personally do not care about gay marriage; I do appreciate the fact that churches should not be “forced” to marry anyone…. so that about sums it up from my point of view here in Colorado.
Report Post »A_SOWER
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 7:15am@ cologoddess, 3 things:
The military can’t work like that, pretty sure no military in the world works that way, it destroys the chain of command that a military needs to be efficient. All policy has to come from the top down, not saying there is no redress of issues through military courts, but having all soldiers vote on policy….bad idea…
It is a choice, I know plenty of effeminate men and less effeminate women who are NOT homosexual, and I‘m pretty sure it is your choice of who you start a romantic relationship with as we don’t have pre-arranged marriages or relationships here….
Would you mind pointing out the passage you are referring to that “I do not take that passage any more seriously than I do the ones that recommend beating your wife, etc.”? You‘re sure you didn’t mistake the Bible for the Koran, right?
Report Post »KEA
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:10amWe are a Republic not a Democracy. Rule of law not rule of man and what your wanting done violates the very principals this country was founded on. The UCMJ is the same today as they day this person took an oath. She violated her oath and the military took appropriate action.
Its no different than a guy or gal getting the boot for a DUI. They break the rules they get punished. Dont like the punishment, dont do the crime. Thats right, CRIME! UCMJ is the LAW in the service. Live and Die by it!
Report Post »Armed Patriot
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:34amLeviticus 20:13 If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. DADT is not the issue. She was booted for violating UCMJ and this judge doesn’t seem to have the authority to speak and issue orders.
Report Post »Ahcma
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:51amI agree with you except for the gay marriage – I don’t want the government to FORCE churches to perform marriage ceremonies on gay couples if it is against what they stand for. I don’t want the government to FORCE any type of issues down my throat.
As for the nurse, I think that if the military FOUND OUT, not thru her but by some other means, she should stay as long as her co-workers want her back. Just because someone is gay does not mean they are interested in you. Are you interested in everyone of the opposite sex, of course not (sorry but then there are some who are).
Report Post »SummerB
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 12:53pmVery well said Cologoddess, & I agree with you completely. A military nurse that has 17 years experience is extremely valuable to the a wounded soldier in time of need, and this should be all that matters.
Report Post »bigmike63
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 10:34pmThe big problem as I see it, is the fact that a open gay in the combat zone might get the care he needs if wounded in the field. When I was Hue on 2-2-68, a soldier that we thought might be gay was hit in the stomach and had his large bowels on the outside of his body. I didn’t even stop to think about anything except trying to save hes life. But now if he was open about being gay? I don’t think I would be able to repeat that because of the possibility he might have HIV and I die because of it
Report Post »Topcat
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 4:56amAny Jags in the group ? Isnt it true , civilian and federal courts have no authority in military law ?
Report Post »KEA
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:02amNot a Jag but that is correct. UCMJ covers military personel. Each one of us took an oath and accepted that upon entry into the service!
Report Post »Topcat
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 2:53pmI thought that to be true then this federal judge ruling , cannot get her reinstated back into the military .It is a pipe dream for this soldier, to think the military is going to change her status. In a newspaper from Seattle ,it was reported , she was not discharged for being gay , or violation of Dont Ask Dont Tell , she was discharged for her actions , that went on for sometime. Under present military law , this is indisputable grounds for dishonorable discharge . It looks like due to her exemplary career she was asked to retire , or given a general discharge , either way she would be best served to let it rest , she will not be reinstated.
Report Post »Gays have been forbidden in the military since the Revolutionary War , Lieutenant Gotthold Frederick Enslin was the first soldier discharged from the U.S. military (at that time, the Continental Army) for sodomy, in 1778 .Although the types of discharge changed slightly , the fact remains being gay is unexceptionable in the military , and forbidden by Uniform Code of Military Justice . Bill Clinton tried to change this ruling , as a political stunt to get elected , the reaction was intense.I quote “After Bill Clinton won the presidency, Congress rushed to enact the existing gay ban policy into federal law, outflanking Clinton’s planned repeal effort. Clinton introduced Congressional legislation to overturn the ban, but it encountered intense scrutiny by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, members of Congress, and portions of the U.S. public. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” emerged as a compromise policy. ” I guess it is evident how the military feels on this subject , the military has asked to put off its decision on DADT till after the elections , my guess is they will ask to repeal DADT and revert back to what has always been military law…
revolutionrosie
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 4:14amMarxist destruction of our military continues.
Report Post »ron the veteran
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 4:00amwe the people must remove them. our rights come from God, and our laws come from congress. and any judge who cant live with that needs to be removed. we have been letting them get away with this far too long. we must surround those court houses and run them off. we must not let this go on. they need to see our laws and rule by what it says not what they feel it should say. rise up america and put our nation back into our hands. any judge who cant read must go. we let this go and dont stop it when it happens, so now liberal judges think they can change laws to suit their needs or wants. it should be made clear to all of them, we will not tollerate this at all.
Report Post »RyuNoKai
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 2:25amYou don’t get fired for DADT. You get put out for violating UCMJ under Homosexual Acts.
The reason these pedophiles are going after the Army is that the Military is the last bastion of testosterone. It is the last conservative government entity, and the most ethical. You can’t even cheat on your wife. Rape is punishable by death. etc. They need to destroy the Army to destroy society. And by pedophiles, I mean that all the gay rights groups back pedos with lawyers and cash. Good people, glad they have a say so in my life.
Hooah!
Report Post »diablosho
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:35amAbsolutely 100% correct! We military men live by the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) in addition to regular laws. You can even be dishonorably discharged for using OTC supplements and medications, that are legal to civilians, if they contain certain ingredients. And ignorance is not an excuse; “0 Tolerance”. If only we followed that logic in schools for bullying! Bet there wouldn’t be much bullying!
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 5:17pmin this family we know vets who say they actually wondered about how They would handle it if a gay guy in their unit started to bleed on them. it’s one thing to see gaydom happening right out openly in the showers, you can walk away, but if he’s bleeding his HIV all over you, what do you do if he infects you. 1 in 5 gays are infected already.
as for this gal, like the gays, she craves attention, she wants the world to know how she liked her sex acts…it’s disgusting. we do NOT want to know or see it, esp not in the bunk across from us.
Report Post »carol m
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 1:56amPersonally, I don’t care about this case, if you chose to be gay, fine. Just keep it to yourself. My real problem here is that of the ACLU. I think all funding for the ACLU should be stopped immediately. I think they have done enough damage to our country already.
Report Post »Sense and Sensibility
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:44amThe ACLU is a non-profit organization, not a gov’t entity. You will have to convince a lot of people to stop donating to them in order to end their funding. They have assisted in cases supporting both liberals and conservatives, including Rush Limbaugh and the Westboro Baptist Church. They have defended free speech and the right to bear arms. How exactly have they damaged the country?
Report Post »ron the veteran
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:50amabortions, writing law from the bench by changing the what congress put into law. and useing their feelings instead of the letter of the law.
Report Post »Armed Patriot
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:17amThe ACLU was set up by a communist for the direct and singular reason to undermine US Laws and destroy the US from within. The ACLU founder Roger Baldwin said, “Communism is, of course, the goal”. They defend abortion, stripping God from public schools, and the public square, fight against the Constitution, and fight against American values. Have you ever noticed that most people that actually work for the ACLU are not white or Christian. Not that that is a bad thing in any other area of life, but when they are not and fighting to change the very country they came to, I will call it either an attack or treason. I leave for you to choose which one.
SafeguardOurLiberty
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 9:51amyou do not CHOOSE to be gay. Why would anyone want to be gay? Give me a reason. If you read these blogs you can see how people hate gays. Why would anyone want to be hated if they could choose not to? Why would anyone choose to be discriminated against, not be able to share your life openly with someone you love, not be able to have the same rights as anyone else? No, no one CHOOSES to be gay. Do you know how many kids commint suicide each year because they are harrassed about being gay??? These are people like you and me. Whatever they do in their bedrooms is none of our business. But it is our business to treat them like you would anyone else. It is a shame that murders, rapists and peodphiles have more rights than gays. Oh, and by the way, for those people that think peodphiles are gay, no you are wrong. Most are heterosexual. For all those Christians out there, if you are a Christian than do what Jesus would do.
baldwin4freedom
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 1:40amThe only thing that I can say is the military has a different problem than we do in civilian life.
In civilian life you do not have to bunk with someone that you do not agree with or like. You are free to control your environment.
In the military each sex must bunk with the same sex, for obvious reasons. So, in the military you are not free to control your environment. Hell, lets just let men and women bunk together and see how that works for the military readiness.
Report Post »ron the veteran
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 3:47amwho is this judge and why are we allowing him/her to remain on the bench. when it comes to the military its the pentagon who should make those decisions not the courts. this judge should be run out of office. as a matter of fact any judge who cant show where in the constituton it says they can make that call. we need to rid our nation of these judges. surround those court houses and demand they resign. we got too many judges who think they can write laws by their rulings. our congress makes our laws judges should not be countermanding our laws. its time for all the judge sotomayors to be run off the bench. their job is to follow the laws not change them by their rulings. this must be put to an end by removing them. permantly!
Report Post »CanadianForGod
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 6:05amI have nothing against gay people but why do they have to shove it down our throats. Sex is personal, I don’t want to know what other people do,as long as it doesn’t involve children. Let the military run the military. These judges have to go they can’t make up their own laws.
Report Post »gunny8511
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 9:03amThis woman should have been kicked out for conduct unbecoming. She was having an affair with a married woman. It was the womans husband whom reported (lesibian) it to JAG.
Report Post »CanIGetABreak
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 7:40pmNot only bunk together, but shower together. Trust me, it’s very uncomfortable to shower while another woman is staring at you. You learn to cut 2 minute navy showers into under 1 minute. It’s very nice that you have short hair in bootcamp.
Report Post »bolec slodkie
Posted on September 25, 2010 at 8:23pmDon’t tell the judge. The only place multi sex arrangements work for thet military is on the SyFy channel
Report Post »swimdawg
Posted on September 26, 2010 at 4:26amAll judges should have 2 year term limits!
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