Thomas More Law Center:
April 28, 2010
ANN ARBOR, MI – The Obama administration and Congress, supported by a multi-million dollar campaign by national lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender advocacy groups, plan to repeal the longstanding statutory ban on homosexuals serving in the military by this Memorial Day.
The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is encouraging members of Congress to defend the current statute.
Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Law Center, commented, "the repeal of this law would do immense and irreversible damage to the war-fighting capability of our Armed Forces. Once the law is repealed, LGBT operatives will infiltrate the military, and backed by a brigade of ACLU lawyers, will push the homosexual agenda to the point of paralyzing the primary purpose of the military—winning wars. Because of "zero tolerance" for anyone who disagrees with the repeal, thousands of current military personnel, especially those in the mid-career ranks, will leave."
The 1993 federal statute at issue, (often mislabeled as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell") states that homosexuals are not eligible to serve in the military. The law was overwhelming passed by bipartisan, veto-proof majorities in both houses, after extensive hearings and debate. The legislation was prompted by overwhelming public opposition to President's Clinton's attempt to lift the ban on homosexuals in the military as a political favor to the homosexual groups which supported his election bid.
In its findings leading to the 1993 law, Congress affirmed: that there is no constitutional right to serve in the armed forces; military life is fundamentally different from civilian life; the prohibition against homosexual conduct is a long-standing element of military law; and the presence of persons who demonstrate a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards or morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability.
Nonetheless, a renewed effort was launched by President Obama in 2009 to overturn the non-eligibility statute, again as a political payoff to LGBT advocacy groups that supported his election.
This time, over 1,150 distinguished retired Flag and General Officers of the military, including 51 four-star generals and admirals, strongly urged the existing ban be maintained. In a statement released in 2009, they expressed their great concern about the impact a repeal of the ban would have on "morale, discipline, unit cohesion, and overall readiness."
The Center for Military Readiness (CMR), a leading opponent of any repeal, has developed a 2-page policy analysis of the issues. Click here to read.
Most military officers, knowing the position of the commander-in-chief, are reluctant to speak out against repealing the current law. However, when in a position to speak freely, they oppose the repeal of the law.
The current Commandant of the US Marine Corps, General James T. Conway, told Congress his advice to President Obama and members of Congress was to keep the ban on homosexuals as it is.
In February, 2010 both the Army and Air Force Chiefs of Staff testified before Congress. The Army Chief of Staff, General George W. Casey, Jr., told Congress:
"I do have serious concerns about the impact of repeal of the law on a force that's fully engaged in two wars and has been at war for eight-and-a-half years, " General Casey told the Senate Armed Services Committee. "We just don't know the impacts on readiness and military effectiveness."
The Air Force Chief of Staff, General Norton A. Schwartz told Congress:
"This is not the time to perturb the force that is, at the moment, stretched by demands in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere without careful deliberation, " General Schwartz said.
In 2007, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace, USMC, publically stated that homosexual conduct is immoral and the military should not condone it by allowing gays to serve in the military.
Thompson concluded, "Military men and women, our sons and daughters, should not be subjected to an involuntary social experiment which will damage our national security."
The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America's Christian heritage and moral values, including the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life. It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America. The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.
http://www.thomasmore.org/downloads/sb_thomasmore/CMRPolicyAnalysis-1993RegardingGaysintheMilit.pdf
