Update:

Senate poised for close vote on repealing 'don't ask, don't tell' law (Tomorrow/Tuesday Sept. 21)

Call, Email, your Representatives.

Sep 20, 2010 -- 10:01PM, mountain_man wrote:

Repealing DADT will solve nothing unless there is a law enacted that prevents any and all discrimination against gays in the military. Without that law; things will just go back to the way they were before DADT.

Hi MM,

That's exactly what I've been trying tell people. They point to the stats and then I point out the stats are merely due to Service Members not knowing the regulations to defend themselves. In a "perfect world", one would not need to defend themselves from bigotry but we are way, far away from that.

I even point out, that before DADT things were much worse. The Military could invade your off-base housing just for "general purposes" and fire you. I was there in 1980 and I just got out. It was indeed, contrary to popular belief, "protection".  No one cares that I have first hand experience and been in most of life. I'm exasperated. A repeal without safe guards means the "with hunts" resume as if we were back in the late 70's early 80's.

Signed, frustrated, Honorably-Medically "retired" SGT. 

Sep 20, 2010 -- 10:42PM, Weepingangelofthetrees wrote:

So a repeal would just revert the hunts into practice again? Wouldn't that mean a law prohibiting any and all gay discrimination, deserves to be addressed to the Legislature and in those calls and emails that purport to support the repeal of DADT?

Yes, but as usual, they are putting the cart in front of the horse. While I feel bad for those in the wake, I must say I'm glad my time is over. There were indeed (light) inquiries into my relationship status but no one, not even the medics could press the issue. 

Sep 20, 2010 -- 10:28PM, Guessses wrote:

Hi MM,

That's exactly what I've been trying tell people. They point to the stats and then I point out the stats are merely due to Service Members not knowing the regulations to defend themselves. In a "perfect world", one would bot need to defend themselves from bigotry but we are way, far away from that.

As far as I can see repealing DADT will only leave our gay service members with NO protections what so ever and they'll be kicked out. I could be wrong but I've not seen any protections to be put in place if/when DADT is gone. Maybe someone that knows what's in the bill could point out what seems to be missing?

I even point out, that before DADT things were much worse. The Military could invade your off-base housing just for "general purposes" and fire you. I was there in 1980 and I just got out. It was indeed, contrary to popular belief, "protection".  No one cares that I have first hand experience and been in most of life. I'm exasperated. A repeal without safe guards means the "with hunts" resume as if we were back in the late 70's early 80's.

Exactly! This is not a good thing.

Weeping

From you other posts I would have thought you would be a big supporter of DADT.

In any event, with luck the Senate will vote to allow the President in consultation with the DOD to review and amend the policy. (That is what the Defense Authorization Bill would actually do, it does not in and of itself repeal anything)