Sen. Mike Johanns came out today with his reasons on why he opposes the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” He can try to talk around it, but this is yet another example of Johanns saying the predictable party-line “No.”
In the end, Senator Johanns thinks its ok to tell soldiers to lie.
Johanns’ started out by telling Don Walton of the Lincoln Journal-Star: “I oppose repealing ‘don’t ask, don’t’ tell in part because the military is currently fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
Johanns is wrong. The military has discharged almost 800 mission-critical troops and at least 59 Arabic and nine Farsi linguists under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” (source)
These are soldiers who could be helping us win in Iraq and Afghanistan. Winning with talented and trained men and women.
Johanns continued stating another reason why he is voting no: “I think anything that puts more stress on that system is really the wrong course of action.”
Johanns is wrong again. Having qualified and highly trained soldiers kicked out of the military puts MORE strain on the system and more stress on our troops.
1 in 4 of the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan said they know they have gay soldiers in their unit. It is happening, its just they all have to lie about it. Lying is never good. Lying adds stress.
Bottom line is Senator Johanns’ position makes us less secure. Johanns’ position is very much against our soldiers. Johanns words are risky. Johanns is wrong.
Take Action
When you see Senator Johanns back in Nebraska this coming week, print out these facts and hand them to him. Maybe he will start to listen to the facts rather than his party-line “No” mantra.
Senator Johanns, You Are Asking Soldiers to Lie. Your Position is Wrong. Please Change Your Mind on DADT
The military has discharged almost 800 mission-critical troops and at least 59 Arabic and nine Farsi linguists under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in the last five years.
One in four U.S. troops who served in Afghanistan or Iraq knows a member of their unit who is gay.
Several military-commissioned and GAO studies have concluded that open service does not undermine military readiness, troop morale or national security.
73 percent of military personnel are comfortable with lesbians and gays.
More than 13,500 service members have been fired under the law since 1994.
Majority of weekly churchgoers (60 percent), conservatives (58 percent), and Republicans (58 percent) now favor repeal.
