Military
Q-NOTES • MARCH 23
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‘excluding special events
Newspapers call for repeal
by Steve Rawls
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Newspaper edi
torial boards across the country are calling
for the repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask.
Don’t Tell” law banning lesbian, gay and
bisexual personnel. USA Today calls the ban
“archaic and hurtful” and calls on Congress
to “do what it ought to do and repeal the
ban.” Editorials calling for repeal have also
appeared in The Washington Post, The
Baltimore Sun, The Oregonian and smaller
publications such as The Republican and The
Berkshire Eagle in Massachusetts.
“Newspaper editorial boards are echo
ing the sentiment of the American people
and calling for an end to the unjust ban on
lesbian, gay and bisexual service mem
bers,” said Sharra E. Greer, director of law
and policy for Servicemembers Legal
Defense Network (SLDN). ‘“Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell’ flies in the face of our country’s
commitment to equal opportunity and
robs our armed forces of talented men and
women who want to serve. Seventy-nine
percent of Americans support allowing
gays to serve openly. Communities across
our nation are calling for repeal and
Congress should heed their constituents’
advice.”
On March 7, The Washington fpsf wrote,
“A combination of bigotry and inertia
keeps the gay ban in place.” The Baltimore
Sun stated, “It’s high time for the military to
recognize fully the service and sacrifice of
gays and lesbians and allow them to serve
openly and proudly.” And The Oregonian
said, “It’s time for Congress and President
Bush to lift the ban.”
In March 2005, Congressman Marty
Meehan (D-MA) introduced The Military
Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. I059), a
Congressional bill to repeal the law. A bi
partisan coalition of IIO members of
Congress now support the bill.
“When this issue comes up, members
who believe that gays shouldn’t be in the
military are now more hesitant to voice
their opinion. Many of us who feel the
other way have come out of the closet, so
to speak,” Congressman Wayne Gilchrest
(R-MD), a supporter of the bill, told The
Washington Post.
SoldieKs story
fiom page 1
from where I live and work.
I don’t think this has been reported in
the States as of yet, at least I haven’t heard.
An unnamed company was on site to do
testing and results were found on two of
the three articles in question. The third
object raised serious concern for the team
— who requested to leave immediately.
Later another group came in and iden
tified the third chemical as a blister agent.
Since then the soldiers have been car
rying their protective masks. This is a con
cern for Iraqi soldiers and civilians around
where we are. 1 think it scares them and
reminds them of past tragedies.
We have to be careful how we conduct
ourselves in these circumstances — there is
little room for error — and the feeling against
America and the coalition is always a source
of much debate. The thought that America or
the coalition might use these weapons is
something the resistance often tries to use as
scare tactics and ploys to recruit.
Blister agents are exactly what you think
they are, they cause caustic reactions to the skin
and respiratory system. Having knowledge of
these findings is a cause of slight alarm, but not
panic There are new filters on our masks — we
have new chemical suits, gloves and boots. All
soldiers are trained and equipped to protect
themselves against a potential leak if this mate
rial exploded from an attack.
As of now — the material is contained
and fairly safe. There is some concern
around the number of mortar attacks we
receive. If there was one good concentrated
attack on that area — which is being kept
secret — there could be devastating results.
We’ve been told we’ll have the opportu
nity for advance warning. Even though the
agent will be airborne if hit by a mortar and
will travel quickly — there should be ample
time for us to protect ourselves. Exposure
can be treated, but it’s not a pretty picture.
What does all of this make me realize?
Ufe is precious. You should appreciate it and
live today like it may be your last.
See you soon my friends.
— Reporting from Iraq,
your friend and soldier from Charlotte.
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but you'll always recognize the face.
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