Call both North Carolina’s U.S. Senators right way
Christian Action League
WASHINTON D.C. – Last week the U.S. Senate failed to move forward a repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) – a law that prohibits homosexuals from serving openly in the military. A measure to abolish the law had been attached to the Defense Authorization bill.
North Carolina’s Senator Kay Hagan (D) favors repeal of DADT and voted for moving the bill forward, while Senator Richard Burr (R) voted against it.
The defeat of DADT, however, has not ended the determination of homosexual activists, as well as a number of lawmakers, to push the proposal through Congress before Christmas or the end of the year. A new strategy is to pass a stand-alone measure unencumbered by being attached to another bill like the Defense Authorization legislation, which also had an abortion provision attached. It’s necessary for liberal forces to pass this measure now before the new Congress arrives – a Congress that’s not expected to be as receptive to homosexual advocacy.
“Its all hands on deck, battle stations, battle stations”, said Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League. Creech had just learned that the House passed a stand-alone measure for repeal today by a party-line vote of 250 – 175. The measure now moves to the Senate, where some reports are saying Republican Senators who voted against repeal last week may falter from political arm twisting this time. The vote in the Senate on a stand-alone bill for repeal would likely be as close as two or three votes.
Article 125 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice prohibits homosexual behavior, along with adultery and other sexual misconduct, among active service personnel, stating: “Any person found guilty of sodomy shall be punished as a court martial may direct.” Section 654, Title 10 of the United States Code, also declares, “The presence in the armed forces of persons who demonstrate a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability.” It is this law that the current Congress seeks to repeal.
Creech said, “This new policy will not only affect matters of national security, not only will it result in a deterioration of unit cohesion, not only will it weaken military readiness, but it will also restrict religious liberty. It will lead to forced sensitivity training. Free speech restrictions on military chaplains who speak out against the sin of homosexuality will be imposed. And the military will lose many fine potential candidates and active duty service personnel if this policy is implemented.”
Various media reports have stated a majority of service members do not oppose repeal of the DADT policy. But these reports overlook the fact that the surveys did not ask service members and their families whether they support repeal of the current law. If service members simply state that they would continue to do their jobs well under a new policy, this is exactly the way one would expect military personnel to respond. But this doesn’t mean a different policy wouldn’t undermine the effectiveness of the nation’s troops. Should even a small number of armed forces personnel choose not to re-enlist, or many others choose not to serve initially because homosexuals were allowed to serve openly, then the impact on America’s armed forces could be catastrophic.
Moreover, yesterday General James Amos, head of the United States Marine Corps warned that a change in policy during a time of war could result in casualties. “When your life hangs on the line, you don’t want anything distracting…Mistakes and inattention or distractions cost Marine lives.”
This is a critical moment for the nation’s military. Take the time to contact both of North Carolina’s Senator’s and inform them of your opposition to repeal of the DADT policy. Don’t take anything for granted.
Call the office of Sen. Kay Hagan
202-224-6342 Washington Office
336-333-5311 Greensboro Office
Call the office of Sen. Richard Burr
202-224-3154 Washington Office
800-685-8916 Winston-Salem Office