Why is John McCain still defending DADT?
Posted on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 08:55 AM
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Despite evidence demonstrating gay soldiers are being kicked out of the service after being informed on by members of their own units (in blatant violation of the policy itself) every single Republican senator is apparently comfortable with the law as it stands.
Yesterday, when confronted by journalists immediately following the Senate filibuster which effectively stalled DADT repeal in the near term, senator John McCain insisted that the military does not seek out sexual orientation, despite evidence to the contrary.
In fact, the military has dismissed service members after discovering their sexual orientation in email records. For instance, Major Mike Almy - a 13-year veteran of the Air Force - was relieved of his duties after a routine search of computer files uncovered emails to his same-sex partner.
Almy explained: 'In Iraq, during the height of the insurgency, someone in the Air Force ordered a search of my private emails solely to determine if I had violated Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and to gather whatever evidence could be used against me.'
'I was relieved of my duties, which was leading nearly 200 Airmen, my security clearance was suspended and part of my pay was terminated. Even as my commander was relieving me of my duties, he assured me this was in no way a reflection of my performance or my abilities as an officer,' Almy testified.
In no way. It seems that not just John McCain has this cognitive dissonance.
The truth is John McCain knows this happens. The military knows this happens. Journalists have reported on multiple cases of this happening. But in discussion, right after the vote yesterday, this is what McCain had to say to journalists Kerry Eleveld and Chris Geidner about instances when the military actively sought to out gay troops:
MCCAIN: We do not go out and seek. Regulations are, we do not go out and seek to find out if someone’s sexual orientation. We do not!
ELEVELD: But senator, that’s not…
MCCAIN: That is the fact! That is the fact. Now ma’am, I know the military very well, and I know what’s being done. And what is being done is that they are not seeking out people who are gay. And I don’t care what you say, I know it’s a fact.
ELEVELD: It’s not what I say.
MCCAIN: I dont’ care what you say! And I don’t care what others say. I’ve seen it in action. I’ve seen it in action. I have sons in the military, I know the military very well. So they’re not telling you the truth.
ELEVELD: Senator, just to make sure…
MCCAIN: Just to make sure. We do not go out and seek out and find out…
ELEVELD: Private emails are not being searched? Private emails are not being searched?
MCCAIN: See if someone is gay or not. We do not go out and see whether someone is gay or not.
ELEVELD: There are documented cases…
MCCAIN: They do not, they do not, they do not. You can say that they are, you can say [inaudible] it’s not true!… Yea, I’d like to see…
GEIDNER: It is the case of Mike Almy, Senators.
MCCAIN: Bring them to our office. It is not the policy, it is not the policy, it is not the policy.
GEIDNER: But it is the case that it’s happening, Senator.
MCCAIN: It is not the policy, it is not the policy, it is not the policy You can say that it is the policy, sir if you choose to. It is not the policy. I would be glad to get that to you in writing.
If John McCain doesn't want to hear it, it's not true apparently.
37 comments
hollabackgurl | Sep 22, 2010, 10:44 PM EDT
Sen. John McCain: "I don't care what you say." Yep, that about sums him up now. I wonder how many senators who voted no are veterans. Not many, I imagine.
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maloney | Sep 22, 2010, 10:19 PM EDT
McCain is just like Harry Reid, He has no principles. He changes more than than a $1000.00 whore. If it will benefit him he's all for it. Progressive piece of dung & we couldn't find anyone good enough to run against him. At least the Tea Party stands for something win or lose.
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Rebelforce | Sep 22, 2010, 07:36 PM EDT
Stop and think how ironic this is. Americans who are gay willing to risk their lives for "liberty, freedom and justice" for people living in Iraq and Afghanistan, and yet they don't even have it for themselves here in the USA. The question must be asked: Why on earth would gay Americans want to fight and die for a government that treats them with such disrespect and scorn?
Countries that allow gays to serve openly in the military:
France
Great Britain
Germany
Spain
Canada
Israel
Ireland
Brazil
Italy
Netherlands
Australia
New Zealand
South Africa
Countries that do not allow gays to serve openly:
Albania
Saudi Arabia
Iran
Zimbabwe
United States of America
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seanomelbourne | Sep 22, 2010, 06:59 PM EDT
Question!What is your opinion Sen.McCain.
Answer!Wait 'til I have my morning walk.I'll know which way the wind is blowing by then.
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docmikey | Sep 22, 2010, 04:07 PM EDT
I used to have respect for John McCain (though I'm a lifelong democrat). It's a shame that he has sold out to the radical right wing that he used to criticize.
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IrishAndProud | Sep 22, 2010, 02:50 PM EDT
whiteycat, I believe that McCain is PRECISELY concerned about Arizona -- and that is PRECISELY why he's backing DADT...because the majority of his state -- and the majority of the country, which has rejected homosexual 'marriage' by 31 states to zip --feels the same way.
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krissangel | Sep 22, 2010, 01:34 PM EDT
Gay people are no more predatory than straight people. America in general (I'm proudly American)is still so puritanical about homosexuality and sexuality in general! What goes on in someone's private life is nobody else's business! Repeal DADT!
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whiteycat | Sep 22, 2010, 01:23 PM EDT
I think McCain should worry about AZ and stay out of this. I never understood why Gays blood is not good enough to be spilled for their country.
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JamesMurphy | Sep 22, 2010, 01:16 PM EDT
Flip Flop McCain is just as likely to vote "For" this issue when next it comes up in Congress. This man of the people--so long as they are Republicans--is long overdue for retirement. Then, he will have time to live out of our way in one or other of his dozen or so homes.
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mhichil | Sep 22, 2010, 12:35 PM EDT
mccains opinion is irrelevant.. he still doesn't care what you , or anyone thinks. he is still in saigon.
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Nicomax | Sep 22, 2010, 12:27 PM EDT
The issues at hand are often the same issues faced by the military in many other nations including our NATO partners and Israel- all of which have allowed gays and lesbians in their military units for years. It seems the US is just stuck in some mid-century mind warp about arcane family values or something.
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PhlutiePhan | Sep 22, 2010, 12:09 PM EDT
Since you have obviously never served in the military, I can state that you do not understand the issue at all. This is a morale issue. John McCain was a P.O.W. for some six plus years. My father was a German P.O.W. I served in the Navy during the Vietnam era. Gay issues take away from the focus on the mission at hand. By whatever standard you choose to judge, John McCain is a hero. As far as his mettle to become president, there are arguments on "both sides of the coin".
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irishfez | Sep 22, 2010, 12:07 PM EDT
Adios McCain, it was nice when you had standards. Now you're just like the rest of 'em.
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allentown | Sep 22, 2010, 11:48 AM EDT
Those gays in the military were ordered out of the military, because they made unwanted sexual advances to other men in their units. Trying not to bring the incidents to a general court martial, the gays elected to accept a general discharge under DADT.
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