Carter on DADT

Although I have little compunction about "speaking ill of the dead" when it comes to one of America's leading hate-mongers,* I refuse to waste any more pixels on the subject. Let's instead celebrate the living who correctly distinguish right from wrong and try to make the world a better place.

Former President Jimmy Carter, whom one is reminded is a Nobel Peace-Prize winner,

…has called on Congress to revisit the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual personnel. In an exclusive statement to Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), Carter says that, "It is my long-held belief that every human being deserves dignity and respect. I often heard that phrase during my years at the United States Naval Academy, I carried it out as Commander-in-Chief, and it continues to animate my human rights work around the globe today. The nation's commitment to human rights requires that lawmakers revisit 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' the current policy that prevents lesbians, gays and bisexuals from serving openly in our armed forces."
[…]
In his statement to SLDN, Carter says that "'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is the only law in America today that regulates a group of citizens then prohibits them from identifying themselves and speaking up on their own behalf. Gay soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines are unable to tell their Member of Congress or their commander that the policy is an abject failure and they are living proof because they will face discharge. Those who defend our liberties and freedoms deserve better." He goes on to say that, " . . . there are great differences in public opinion on social issues today compared to twenty years ago. When I served as President, the majority in our country did not support equality for gay Americans, but that has now changed."

"The estimated 65,000 gay men and women who currently are serving our country honorably deserve respect," Carter says. "America has always been a beacon of hope for those who believe in human rights and individual dignity. The brave and dedicated men and women of our armed forces also must benefit from this fundamental ideal."

These excerpts are from a press release from the SLDN ("Former President Jimmy Carter Calls on Congress to Revisit 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'", Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, 15 May 2007); Carter's complete statement is available for download at the same page.
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*I refer, of course, to the unmentionable founder of the so-called "Moral Majority", who deserves to be a mere footnote. If you need further documentation of his despicable career, I can suggest starting with "Jerry Falwell dies at age 73", The Carpetbagger Report, 15 May 2007.

Posted on May 15, 2007 at 16.32 by jns · Permalink
In: All, Current Events, Faaabulosity

One Response

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  1. Written by S.W. Anderson
    on Tuesday, 15 May 2007 at 19.15
    Permalink

    What a spectacular contrast there is between these two Southern Christians. Carter might not have been one of our best presidents, but he's sure to be remembered as one of the best, if not the best, ex-presidents we've ever had.

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