Think Progress

McCain backs Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.»

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) claims that “military leaders” he’s talked to about the ban on gay servicemembers say, “‘Generally, overall, it’s working.’ … And right now we’ve got the best military we’ve ever had - the most professional, best trained, equipped and the bravest. And so I think it’s logical to leave this issue alone. I really do.” Currently, the U.S. Army’s readiness for war “has eroded to levels not witnessed by our country in decades,” and since Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell went into effect, the Pentagon has dismissed more than 11,000 servicemembers, many in key specialty skills such as training in Arabic.




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48 Responses to “McCain backs Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

  1. ChildrenofLir Says:

    Generally, overall, McCain is an idiot.


  2. Zooey Says:

    Please stop talking in public, Sen McCain.

    Thank you.


  3. crazydisabledvet Says:

    Dont ask or tell …but McCain should have been “off-ed” by HoChiMinh back in Nam so we wouldnt have to have this nut spouting bullshit today….He is a poster boy for what terrible damage a traumatic war experience can have on someone….he should pick up his marbles and go home…a warmonger who supports this miserably failed WAR is NEVER going to get elected president…somebody tell him, before he continues selling out for…what?


  4. ChildrenofLir Says:

    crazydisabledvet

    You tell it

    McCain dropped napalm on innocent Vietnamese in an undeclared war. Screw him. He needs to shut up and go home to his drug addicted wife.


  5. Nick Kasoff - The Thug Report Says:

    Huh … a gay person who knows Arabic … sounds like a terrorist to me. Yep.

    Nick Kasoff
    The Thug Report


  6. Briseadh na Faire Says:

    In other news:

    The U.S. began a series of secret hearings Friday to determine whether 14 alleged terrorist leaders at its prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, should be declared “enemy combatants” who can be held indefinitely and prosecuted by military tribunals.

    No details were released and a military spokesman, Navy Cmdr. Chito Peppler, declined to identify detainees who appeared before the panel of three officers.

    Some are expected not to attend the proceedings and their cases will be considered in absentia, Peppler said.

    Now, I ask you, what would the United States do if its citizens were subjected to the same proceedings in, say, Iran?

    War-Time President Bush said the world will be better off if every country adopts his Military Commissions Act.

    But somehow, I think if Iran did the same thing to, say, captured U.S. covert ops personnel, Bush just might use that as an excuse to bomb and/or invade Iran.

    Just remember Bush, and all the trolls who support Him: what goes around comes around. i.e. Karma’s a b!tch, and she’s lookin’ for payback.


  7. dlet Says:

    So this is one of the Republican champions. heh-heh


  8. david Says:

    Do you think Cpl Matt Sanchez will file a complaint? Or does he think the military is being tolerant with ‘Don’t ask. Don’t tell.’?


  9. NakedEmperor Says:

    I can bet $20 that Mc Cain is gonna say the exact opposite in 48 hours.
    Any wagers?


  10. Briseadh na Faire Says:

    Comment by NakedEmperor — March 9, 2007 @ 9:19 pm

    I think it will be much sooner than that.


  11. ChildrenofLir Says:

    McCain contradicts himself when he’s off his meds and his other self comes out.


  12. dlet Says:

    NakedEmperor,
    I’ll bet that McCain says something else just as stupid in 47 hours.


  13. Salmon Dave Says:

    I think we should get Rudy on record….
    How does he feel about “DADT” ??


  14. ChildrenofLir Says:

    In that clip Obey is cursing at a very calm (got to hand it to her) mother of a Marine.

    Obey is just wrong about what ended the Vietnam war. It was the defunding through the Church amendment.

    Obey is mad cause he just doesn’t want to admit that the ONLY way to stop the madness is to cut off the funding. He’s scared to stand up and do the right thing.


  15. Briseadh na Faire Says:

    Comment by ChildrenofLir — March 9, 2007 @ 9:44 pm

    He’s trying to make a couple of points, and he’s extremely frustrated at the Republican minority’s obstructionism.

    One point I got was that “liberals” are uninformed. He’s right, we don’t know what all is in each bill. I think we can safely blame that on Corporate media.

    The other is that the tactic he is trying to use is to remove the authorization for the use of military force. That would be just as effective as defunding…IF Bush chooses to follow the will of Congress. I get the feeling that whatever the Congress passes, Bush will sign it and add a signing statement treating it as merely advisory, to the extent it infringes upon his inherent powers as Commander-in-Chief.

    Under the Bush Doctrine of inherent powers as Commander-in-Chief, there is no Constitutional limit to his power. As long as we’re at War, he has all the powers of a Dictator. And as long as Congress is unwilling to impeach him, he’s absolutely right.


  16. AshenShard Says:

    In reference to all McCain’s flip-flops, and statements … anyone else think his age is beginning to catch up with him? You know, maybe Alzheimer’s… maybe, due to the brain rot, he has lost his memories as to how bad combat is?

    Then again, maybe I shouldn’t offer excuses for what is a lack of conscience exhibited by a glut of opportunism.


  17. ChildrenofLir Says:

    One point I got was that “liberals” are uninformed. He’s right, we don’t know what all is in each bill.

    Come off it. He doesn’t know what’s in each bill. None of them do. They didn’t even read the Patriot Act, or NAFTA. Sold our rights away for money without careing what the hell they were doing.


  18. ChildrenofLir Says:

    As long as COngress continues to fund the war, Bush will go on killing our children.


  19. dlet Says:

    He doesn’t know what’s in each bill. None of them do.
    Comment by ChildrenofLir

    Um…he wrote the bill he was explaining.


  20. ChildrenofLir Says:

    He still doesn’t know what’s in it. He’s an idiot.


  21. Zooey Says:

    I just watched the video clip. My sense was that Rep Obey is extremely frustrated with the war and trying to get it ended. The woman was incredibly calm, and seemed to be learning something new from Obey. I think she understood his frustration.


  22. ChildrenofLir Says:

    The woman was incredibly calm, and seemed to be learning something new from Obey. I think she understood his frustration.

    I think you’re hearing what you want to hear. She kept pointing out and trying to get him to answer he questions, while he ranted and cursed. She was learning that he was an irrational condescending sob. She pointedly asked him about stopping the funding. That’s when he really lost it.

    He just can’t handle the truth.


  23. hacker bob Says:

    Comment by Zooey — March 9, 2007 @ 11:06 pm

    So, you approve of his behaviour?

    Come on. ChildrenofLir and I are just about as opposite as you can get and we agree on this.


  24. Jay Randal Says:

    McCain lost his mind when he decided to be a Bush butt kisser, so the citizens of Arizona must either vote him out or force him to resign now.


  25. Zooey Says:

    No, Robert, I don’t approve of his behavior. He seemed very agitated, but I don’t think he was agitated with the woman, just with the situation. The woman seemed to not take it personally.

    If he’s agitated because he wants to end the war, I can understand that.


  26. hacker bob Says:

    Zooey,

    I put this on the CNN/Tom D thread, but I will post it here for you as well. (concerning Obey and his frustration)

    He is showing that he opposes the war by co-authoring a bill to end the war while voteing for a supplement to prolong the war.

    I think the term is doublethink

    Comment by hacker bob — March 9, 2007 @ 11:32 pm


  27. Zooey Says:

    Robert,

    I’m not going to re-load that video to watch it again, but it seemed that he was going to vote for a bill to fund the war because he was concerned about body armor, etc., but was frustrated because BushCo wasn’t asking for enough to cover it. Some shit like that.

    I’m tired. We all want the war ended. Can we just try to get it done without fighting?


  28. Wayne Says:

    One point I got was that “liberals” are uninformed. He’s right, we don’t know what all is in each bill.

    A few good resources to keep up with each law that passes, and what skunks CongressCritters voted for/against it =)

    http://votesmart.org/index.htm

    http://www.govtrack.us/

    http://thomas.loc.gov/


  29. Wayne Says:

    BTW Bill Maher interviewed Major General Paul Eaton (retired) tonight. Hope someone got it taped. A must see.

    I got the impression he was really ticked over Walter Reed. He was pointing fingers at Rumsfeld, Cheney, Bush, and the RubberStamp Congress.

    He said “Thank God” that the Democrats won in 2006, now they help the military get out of the mess they have been put in.


  30. JPark Says:

    Obey is mad cause he just doesn’t want to admit that the ONLY way to stop the madness is to cut off the funding. He’s scared to stand up and do the right thing.

    I am a Wisconsinite. I am extremely disappointed in Obey. He is not my Rep (Tammy Baldwin is…thankfully). I have always respected Obey but this is too much.


  31. GSD Says:

    Air Chief Marshal Sir Graham Eric Stirrup, GCB, AFC, DSc, FRAeS FCMI RAF (born 4 December 1949), commonly known as Sir Jock Stirrup, is a senior Royal Air Force commander and the current British Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS).

    Boy, I wonder if the UK has a don’t ask/don’t tell policy and just what does Sir Jock Stirrup think about it?

    -GSD


  32. Mr. Evil Says:

    Can John McCain dumb himself down anymore than he already has? I think he may be shooting for a new Guinness World Record!


  33. Wayne Says:

    I am a Wisconsinite. I am extremely disappointed in Obey.
    Comment by JPark

    Frankly, Wisconsin needs to get a different democrat to replace him next time, or a RebumblingCon might take his seat. I didn’t like what I saw.


  34. troll alert Says:

    ‘Don’t ask,Don’t tell’ is a good policy in the sense that those who ‘tell’ have a good chance of getting fragged by a few of the red necks who have gravitated into the military.


  35. ace Says:

    Why did Richard Armitage receive the high honor of knighthood from her Majesty, The Queen? Why was John McCain the recent recipient of JINSA’s highest honor - the annual Scoop Jackson Award? Answer these questions, and other things start to make more sense.

    McCain is merely a puppet on a string. That thing growing out of the side of his face is his conscience, trying to escape his body.
    McCain is being BLACKMAILED. THEY ALL ARE.

    So who is the puppeteer and what is the evidence being used against EVERY member of this administration and EVERY member of Congress?
    Stop looking at individual comments, individual personalities and individual headlines. Pull all the way back to 50,000 feet and take the entire picture into account, in context. When you add up the entire list of things that “just don’t make logical sense,” you’re left with only one choice. That is to change your own mind about right and wrong and fairness and morality - and then look again with fresh eyes.

    Assuming that virtually everything you’ve read or heard since 9/11 from the mainstream Department Of Propaganda is exactly the opposite of the truth brings you one hell of a lot closer to comprehending the entire GAME, in context.

    The puppet master in this country is David Rockefeller. There are others, but focus on him.

    All of this talk about warantless wiretapping and the misuse of it. What would you be able to do if you could wiretap EVERY conversation in America, and use it however you chose to? Remember that it was revealed that AT&T had illegally wiretapped on the Administration’s behalf in the months prior to 9/11? Remember that the Government’s ABLE DANGER project (our best source of Bin Laden intelligence) was shut down in the months prior to 9/11? Is it really more of a stretch to believe that illegal wiretaps led to this result, in order to protect the government’s own planned 9/11 operation? Notice the resurgence of AT&T since 9/11?

    Notice how they are buying up every other communications company? Is it now GOVERNMENT OWNED? Is this the government’s vehicle for control of ALL FORMS of communication?

    The entire agenda is set from above, and only those of low moral character, susceptible to blackmail, are allowed into the political charade. AIPAC is the filter through which they must pass, and all must pay homage to AIPAC to retain their positions of power and influence, to which they are addicted. The Abramoffs, Lewinskys, Gannons and others serve the useful function of assuring that every politician is subject to blackmail, to do the bidding of the puppet master.

    It makes no sense that law makers don’t read the laws they pass, right? OK then, what DOES make sense? What does make sense is that these new laws are written by those on the payroll of the puppet master (from outside of the government structure), and that those who would otherwise be in a position to prevent their implementation are not only powerless to do so, but have the clear understanding that they are there specifically turn a blind eye and allow their passage. Bush’s subsequent signing statements are merely the fine tuning at the end of the entire process - WHICH THEY ARE ALL IN ON.

    THE BIG LIE is that we still have a Representative Republic. We don’t. We have the illusion of one. Why do you think that the “election cycle” has been broadened such that it NEVER STOPS? As soon as the most recent elections were decided, the Presidential yammering began (the very next day) - and the media’s only job is to make you think that any of it matters. It doesn’t. It’s all an illusion to keep you occupied, your gaze focused on the illusionist’s distraction (politics), while the real trick (divide and conquer) is played out by the other hand.

    It’s time view the world through new eyes. Remove your moral compass and assume you are a power-hungry mad man who seeks to control every one and every thing. You have EVERY RESOURCE IN THE WORLD at your disposal. What methods would you use to control the entire game board, and most importantly, control the masses?

    As long as the topic remains “Politics,” the puppet master win. Rise above it people. You’re being GAMED. You want to view the entire landscape in CONTEXT?

    Read through this: http://plungerspeaks.blogspot.com

    See with new eyes.


  36. USpace Says:

    Would some people rather have people be asked questions about their sexual preferences in a Military interview or while standing in line to sign up? It is nobody’s business, that I believe is the point.

    absurd thought -
    God of the Universe wants
    unlimited power…
    .


  37. ace Says:

    Israeli Spying and 9/11

    Israel and 9/11: The disappearing story that’s too hot to handle

    Part One

    “They may have known things they
    didn’t tell us before September 11th”

    http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/61.html


  38. ace Says:

    As spoken by Patrick Fitzgerald - in a dream:

    “Mr. Cheney, are you actually in the employ of Mr. David Rockefeller, directly under George HW Bush?”

    “Was 9/11 and all that has followed just part of Mr. Rockefeller’s Globalist agenda?”

    “Since our invasion of Afghanistan, which was clearly planned well in advance of 9/11, the oil barrons have managed to secure their pipeline, and George HW Bush and his CIA are enjoying record opium production. Are we to believe that these are all just happy coincidences?”

    “The day prior to 9/11, Donald Rumsfeld held a press conference to announce that his Comptroller, Dov Zakheim, had somehow lost track of some $2.3 TRILLION in DOD funds. Can you tell us whether those funds have been utilized to implement a military coup, the pretext for which occured the very next day, on 9/11 2001?”

    “Mr. Cheney, what can you tell us about the SWIFT LUCK GREENS CONCENTRATION CAMP which was built by your former company, Halliburton, in your home state, Wyoming, adjacent to the Seminoe Reservoir south of Casper at these coordinates -

    Latitude: 41.92
    Longitude: -106.521944

    Isn’t this part of the civilian inmate labor program, in concert with DHS and the Army - in direct violation of the Posse Comitatus Act?”


  39. theswan Says:

    Know he is thinking like a clinton? what’s next?


  40. ace Says:

    Full Throttle to Armageddon:

    It’s Wild Cornered Animal Stage in this Grand Conspiracy, and there’s no turning back for the co-conspirators. Remember, “their roots connect them” - and if one turns, they may all turn, at the same time. Libby sure did cement Judith Miller’s status as a Globalist Tool with that not-so-subtle encoded message.

    Bush is ramping up a full blown war escalation before your very eyes, and he thinks there’s not a damn thing you or anyone else can do about it. This is no “surge,” this is the beginning of an entirely new phase of warfare, the starter pistol for which will the the NEXT FALSE FLAG ATTACK (learn about the Gulf Of Tonkin and USS Liberty incidents)- JUST LIKE 9/11.

    Cheney has ALREADY TOLD YOU that there WILL BE ANOTHER 9/11-TYPE ATACK, and that WHEN it comes, the immediate response will be to NUKE IRAN, regardless of any lack of evidence that they may or may not have been involved.

    So there you have it. The planned “Retaliatory Response” is already scripted, ready to launch. All that is missing is the essential pretext, the tripwire.

    Here’s what’s coming:

    An Israeli submarine will launch a nuclear-tipped missile and sink a US aircraft carrier (which it has been proven might otherwise require 25 days to sink - absent the nuclear vaporization of 5,000 souls). No shooting up the life rafts this time, and no evidence either.

    This misile will be said to have come from Iran, and the immediate response will be for Bush to declare this to be the equivalent of an attack on US soil. The nuclear response will be over before Congress knows what happened.

    Ariel Joseph Weinmann, a US Submariner, was arrested last spring on charges of espionage for turning over our top naval secrets to a foreign country - a case rivaling that of the Jonathan Pollard case. Care to guess which country he was spying for? Here’s a hint…you’ve never seen this story in the mainstream media.

    Who will stop Cheney and Rockefeller?


  41. shocker Says:

    DADT is one of the most absurd things I can think of. And that’s saying something given the sheer volume of absurdities that are dumped on the American people and the world.

    The stupidity of DADT makes it difficult for me to even discuss.
    It should be obvious.

    I believe there could be draft coming and I predict there will be some talk from the administration about ending DADT.

    BECAUSE IT CAN’T WORK IN A DRAFT.

    The hypocrisy and bigotry will be apparent (as usual).
    They will be willing to let gay people die for the country when they desperately need them for their war. But their not good enough to serve in peace time.


  42. Yikes Says:

    “the most professional, best trained, equipped and the bravest.”

    Ouch, that slap in the face to those veterans from previous conflicts has got to hurt.


  43. Barbara Bush Says:

    Gives the saying, “cover my back”, a whole new meaning. I’m a gay veteran and don’t need the likes of someone like McCain to tell me that I’m OK, because he’s not, with me. He’s vague and indecisive.


  44. R Says:

    #43- I knew you were a lesbian from WAYYY back, you nasty, old bull-dyke! YIKES! No wonder your eyes fairly pop outta your head.


  45. Raymond Funamoto Says:

    WATCH McPAIN FLIP-FLOP ONCE AGAIN AND REVERSE HIS POSITION ON DON’T ASK–DON’T TELL AS HIS POLLS PLUMMET–IT’S A SURE THING THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN, AS SURE AS MY NAME IS BORIS KARLOFF(tm)–THIS IS A THRILLER(tm)!!!!!


  46. JosephW Says:

    Shocker, I’m lost by your comment that DADT can’t work in a draft. The hell it can. In fact, it did during the last draft. If a draftee says he’s gay, then he’s violated the second part of the act (the “don’t tell” part). The draft board or military service, if it takes ANY action by investigating, then it is in violation of the usually unmentioned part (”don’t pursue”). The simple fact is that the previous draft typically required formal investigation of a draftee’s claim of being gay (normally by asking detailed question about sexual activities but also questioning family members, which was sometimes problematic if mom and dad hadn’t been forewarned of the “dodge”).
    Yes, there were gay men who made it through the draft and kept their sexual proclivities secret (or, as we now term it, “on the down low”), but these were also men who routinely didn’t “fit” the “gay profile”–and, just as often, didn’t try to dodge by bringing up the “gay” thing. But, it should be noted that until the early 1990s, the formal military policy was that being gay was completely incompatible with military service, and ABSOLUTELY ANY suggestion or hint of possible homosexual activity by uniformed personnel (whether in uniform on active duty or civilian attire while on any official leave) was IMMEDIATELY investigated. A draft will NOT end Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell/Don’t Pursue.
    The simple fact is that the US needs to fall in line with other nations’ military forces where being gay doesn’t preclude military service. Hell, the Israelis have allowed openly gay service members since 1993, the same year that “Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell/Don’t Pursue” was foisted on this country by conservatives who (quite bizarrely) argued that gays would somehow infringe on straight service members’ privacy, even if most service members would argue they ever have a moment of privacy while on base or on maneuvers.


  47. McCain Says Military Gay Ban Working « Bloggernista Says:

    […] his lesbian daughters pregnancy. Now, as the fine folks at Think Progress point, comes word that John McCain supports the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy that bans openly gay soldiers in the […]


  48. jake3988 Says:

    I can bet $20 that Mc Cain is gonna say the exact opposite in 48 hours.
    Any wagers?
    Comment by NakedEmperor — March 9, 2007 @ 9:19 pm

    Hmm. Its tempting. But I’ll decline.



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