Why is John McCain still defending DADT?
By: Cahir O'Doherty | Published Wednesday, September 22, 2010, 8:35 AM | Updated Friday, September 9, 2011, 9:50 PM
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
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Monsoonman | Sep 29, 2010, 01:01 AM EDT
I don't know the specifics of the case lad, so I can't comment. Yes it was the light infantry i think. They only used the horses to get from point A to point B, then dismount and become infantry...Great cavalry charge, much better charging in palestine than gallipoli I might add.
seanomelbourne | Sep 28, 2010, 07:42 PM EDT
As a matter of fact the last cavalry charge in history was made by the Australian "light brigade " in Palestine,it is now an armoured division Propping up you Americans in Afghanistan. As for McCain defending DADT do you not think he sounded pathetic skipping over Mjr. Olmi's case he was fired for being gay. He allegedly sent Emails to a friend and for this he was sacked.
hollabackgurl | Sep 28, 2010, 05:35 PM EDT
The UK, Israeli and Canadian armies have all intergreated gay troops into their military with no negative or adverse consequences whatsoever. In fact, moral has improved (as well as recrutiment). The USA will be exactly the same.
Monsoonman | Sep 28, 2010, 10:41 AM EDT
Lad, here is yet another example of you seeing the US from the opposite end of the telescope. I am starting to understand why everything down there spins the opposite, such as your hurricanes, tornadoess and your loos...When they reach the joint chiefs level it is ONLY about politics and politically correct. Remember who appointed them to that position? Yep the commander in chief himself. So if you want to really know what's going on in the service you talk to a guy who has risen from the ranks and is NOT a political appointee...BTW: Do your fighting forces stll use horses?
seanomelbourne | Sep 28, 2010, 12:24 AM EDT
The chairman of the join chiefs of staff disagrees with you how upper echelon can you get.
Monsoonman | Sep 27, 2010, 12:03 PM EDT
Lad, we are not talking about an internal appeals system. We are talking about front page press coverage backed up by the ACLU. I talked to a 30 year upper echelon officer who told me that this was the thinking in the military.
seanomelbourne | Sep 26, 2010, 07:55 PM EDT
So if you hide your sexuality you may be promoted and if your openly gay you may be passed over? I'm sure there's an internal appeals system for people who feel they were not fairly treated in promotional matters.
Monsoonman | Sep 26, 2010, 01:01 PM EDT
The underlying reason they want to get rid of dadt, is that it will clear the way to fast track to positions of leadership. If an openly gay service person gets passed over for promotion, merited or not, one call to the press and the ACLU will start the wheels turning for suing their way to the top. It will abrogate a present system that relies on merit to get promoted.
seanomelbourne | Sep 25, 2010, 09:42 PM EDT
You don't get it Maloney I'm cool and structured about everything I write.
maloney | Sep 25, 2010, 11:53 AM EDT
seano...such savagery, touch a nerve?
seanomelbourne | Sep 24, 2010, 07:25 PM EDT
What an ignorant piece from grimchieftain He mouths off without any facts,he should crawl back into his trailer and chew on a piece of tobacco.
hollabackgurl | Sep 24, 2010, 10:28 AM EDT
The UK, Israeli and Canadian armies have all intergreated gay troops into their military with no negative consequences whatsoever. In fact, moral has improved (as well as recrutiment). Bigots who are afriad of equality haven't a shred of evidence left to support their own bigotry (that's why they're now reduced to making stuff up like the comment directly below mine).
grimchieftain | Sep 24, 2010, 12:44 AM EDT
The U.S. Military is no place for a social experiment. The majority of its members-at all levels-do not support the removal of the DADT policy. Chief among their concerns (and there are many) is not being preyed upon by wandering gay troops but the increased exposure to HIV/AIDS. With the recent increase of this disease it's not an invalid worry.
allentown | Sep 23, 2010, 10:50 AM EDT
Republicans are asking for a straight up or down vote on removing DADT. Every Senator and every Congressman has to vote on that issue by itself. It is amazing to read the ad hominem attacks at the Republicans who only wanted a straight up or down vote on DADT. What was Harry Reid and the Democrats frightened about?
jamthecat | Sep 22, 2010, 11:57 PM EDT
Simple, the man is senile. He's been showing signs of it since he was running for president. His selection of Sarah Palin is proof of that. As is his support for torture after having, himself, been tortured; it's like he's forgotten it. It's sad and pathetic. And I'll make you a bet -- within six months after he's sworn in for his next term, he'll retire "for health reasons" and let that psycho, Jan Brewer install a maniac as crazy as she is in his place. I hope I'm wrong, but if he does that, he'll also be a traitor to this country.
hollabackgurl | Sep 22, 2010, 10:46 PM EDT
Any gay soldier who is willing to put up with the raw deal they're handed just to serve their nation with pride is TEN TIMES the patriot McCain is.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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".
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.
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.
mollymguire | Sep 22, 2010, 11:08 AM EDT
McCain may have been a war hero, but he's a coward politically. Now I think he's a senile coward if he insists the military isn't looking for gays & dumping them. McCains wishy washing trying to please is people instead of taking a stand, is what lost him the presidency.
JimThompson | Sep 22, 2010, 10:50 AM EDT
Rather than give you a direct answer, let's just say this - If you have a son or daughter in the service and they are overseas or in an area where necessity requires dressing or showering together in community areas, how would you like to have your child have to dress, etc., in front of someone who would perhaps like to have sex with them?
toscany | Sep 22, 2010, 10:29 AM EDT
This man should have retired in 2002!
joma5004 | Sep 22, 2010, 10:25 AM EDT
As an American I can tell you that McCain is way past his time to be in office. He is a confirmed liar and only looks to feed at the people's expense. It is way past time to replace him. He has no idea what is happening in the military.
hollabackgurl | Sep 22, 2010, 09:53 AM EDT
Even by his own standards, this is a particularly lawn guy performance. He's just saying la-la-la I can't hear you to these reporters. So sad.
TheMontaneVole | Sep 22, 2010, 09:46 AM EDT
As the recent profile of him in New York Magazine clearly showed, John McCain will do or say ANYthing to get himself re-elected, and he is pandering as usual to the bigotries of his far-right base. He is to this issue what his fellow Republicans Jesse Helms and Strom Thurmond were to Civil Rights back in their heyday: pathetic geezers on the wrong side of history.
HoundofUlster | Sep 22, 2010, 08:52 AM EDT
Boo on McCain. Shame. Disgraceful. Boo. Boo. Boo.