Senator McCaskill Makes an Interesting Point
SEN. MCCASKILL: Now, here’s my - I think what you’re embarking upon is important; I think it is welcomed, but here’s my problem. We now have established that we have gay and lesbian Americans serving in the military; that they are not broadly causing any kind of disciplinary or morale problems; that we welcome their service. So the issue isn’t whether or not gay and lesbian Americans are serving in the military, it’s whether or not we talk about it. So how are you going to get their input in this survey? (Applause.)
ADM. MULLEN: Oh, I’d, actually - I mean, my take on that is - well, hang on a second. (Laughs.) I think that we would have to look very carefully at how we would do that, specifically.
In an exchange with Senator Sessions, ADM Mullen gets eloquent and personal:
ADM. MULLEN: Sen. Sessions, [...] it does go to, again sort of a fundamental principle with me, which is everybody counts. And part of the struggle back to the institutional integrity aspect of this, and -
SEN. SESSIONS: Well, I know. I appreciate your view.
ADM. MULLEN: - and putting individuals in a position that every single day they wonder whether today’s going to be the day, and devaluing them in that regard just is inconsistent with us as an institution. I have served with homosexuals since 1968. Sen. McCain spoke to that in his statement. Everybody in the military has, and we understand that. So it is a number of things which cumulatively for me, personally, get me to this position.
excerpted from today's hearings on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
ADM. MULLEN: Oh, I’d, actually - I mean, my take on that is - well, hang on a second. (Laughs.) I think that we would have to look very carefully at how we would do that, specifically.
In an exchange with Senator Sessions, ADM Mullen gets eloquent and personal:
ADM. MULLEN: Sen. Sessions, [...] it does go to, again sort of a fundamental principle with me, which is everybody counts. And part of the struggle back to the institutional integrity aspect of this, and -
SEN. SESSIONS: Well, I know. I appreciate your view.
ADM. MULLEN: - and putting individuals in a position that every single day they wonder whether today’s going to be the day, and devaluing them in that regard just is inconsistent with us as an institution. I have served with homosexuals since 1968. Sen. McCain spoke to that in his statement. Everybody in the military has, and we understand that. So it is a number of things which cumulatively for me, personally, get me to this position.
excerpted from today's hearings on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"