After Congress Fails to Repeal, Judge Ends Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

I'm biting my tongue to keep from blasting President Obama for the "fierce advocacy" he never showed a trace of. But now a federal judge has finally told him and the Pentagon, which he supposedly controls-- just kidding-- "NO MORE!" No more lies and hypocrisy. And no more of this shameful policy carried out in our names.

Every time I talk to Blue America endorsed congressional candidate Ed Potosnak he wants to talk about his ideas for reforming the education system. He seems very dedicated to the idea that unless we have an educated population we'll continue to fall behind better educated societies in all fields. He's right, of course, and that's very much why he's running for Congress. Lord knows his opponent, Wall Street shill and career politician Leonard Lance, doesn't care a whit about education one way or the other... as long as the cost can be held down. But Ed is one of the sharpest progressives running this year and he's also the only openly gay Blue America endorsee. So... while so many people in the LGBT community were fuming at the Washington Post this week for desecrating
National Coming Out Day by publishing a hate screed by deranged professional homophobe Tony Perkins, we asked Ed to give us a reaction to the overturning of Don't Ask Don't Tell.

Now That's An Order! Not A Military One, Or An Executive One, But Finally One To End Don't Ask Don't Tell

-by Ed Potosnak, Candidate For Congress, NJ-07

On September 9, 2010, Judge Virginia Phillips ruled that the military’s disgraceful “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy is unconstitutional. Judge Phillips followed that ruling with an order yesterday to the Department of Defense to halt any enforcement of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” While the policy should be completely removed from the books, this is an important step in the right direction. Our judicial system has recognized a homophobic, discriminatory policy for what it is: a violation of the First and Fifth amendments of the Constitution. 
 
As an American, I am so grateful for the service of the young men and women in uniform and the sacrifices that they and their families make. At a time when we are trying to bring two wars to a close and bring our troops home safely and securely, it shouldn’t take a court order to halt the dismissal of qualified troops. Lieutenant Dan Choi, a distinguished graduate of West Point serving our military honorably as a much-needed Arabic linguist, was dismissed because he admitted that he was gay. Katie Miller, a cadet who ranked at the top of her class at West Point, left the Army to live a life of integrity rather than continue to live a lie. It is ridiculous that we have spent the last 17 years dismissing skilled men and women and turning away patriotic recruits who refused to hide who they are.
 
Earlier this year, Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, testified before Congress, “No matter how I look at the issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens.” I call upon the President and the Justice Department to find the remarkable political courage showed by Admiral Mullen and act in the best interests of our fighting men and women, rather than their own political interests. The President must allow the judge’s order to stand without appeal. The safety and honor of our men and women in military should be of paramount concern. Allowing all of our men and women in uniform to serve openly and honestly will ensure that those who are most qualified are able to do their jobs without fear of reprisal or dismissal.
 
My opponent, Congressman Leonard Lance, voted against the repeal of DADT… supporting an unconstitutional policy that jeopardizes our national security and violates the civil rights of thousands of soldiers. He voted to continue the policy that has cost us nearly $100 million in recruitment and retention costs, discharged 13,000 soldiers from active duty, and institutionalized homophobia and harassment within our armed forces. I have been saying for months that Congressman Lance is on the wrong side of the issues… with Judge Phillips’ ruling, he is now on the wrong side of the Constitution as well.



UPDATE From Potosnak Headquarters

Although the turgid DCCC is too busy trying to rescue doomed Blue Dogs (so they can continue opposing the Democratic agenda), the much more vibrant and meaningful PCCC just endorsed Ed Potosnak's campaign against Wall Street puppet Leonard Lance. This could help push Ed's neck-and-neck race over the top. If you can afford to, please consider making a donation to Ed's campaign today at the Blue America ActBlue page.