Revisiting "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

This morning, Democratic Congressman Marty Meehan of Massachusetts once again introduced a bill calling on the military to eliminate its policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" when it comes to gay and lesbian service members. In this time of war, Meehan says the government cannot afford to tell anyone they cannot fight for their country. Others agree.

"Given our military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the recruiting woes our armed forces face, and the quality of troops being dismissed under the law, Congressman Meehan's legislation is more important than ever," said C. Dixon Osburn, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN).

According to the SLDN in FY 2005 the military dismissed 49 medical personnel, 40 law enforcement officers and 14 intelligence officers. The Army dismissed 35 infantrymen in 2005, as well as seven nuclear, biological and chemical warfare specialists. The Navy discharged 17 air crewmen under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" during the same year. A total of 742 service members were dismissed in 2005; the total since the law's implementation in 1993 is more than 11,000. On average, the armed forces fire 2-3 service members under the law each day.

The bill has 110 sponsors, including three Republicans.