Saxby Chambliss: Military should keep ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
by Jim Galloway
February 2, 2010U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss this afternoon declared himself opposed to any change in the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that permits gays to serve in the military – but not openly. The occasion was a testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee by Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chief of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen. Mullen said it was his opinion that lifting the restriction would be “the right thing to do.” Chambliss holds the U.S. Senate seat once occupied by Sam Nunn, who helped forge the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in the 1990s under President Bill Clinton. In 2008, Nunn said he thought it was time the policy was reexamined.
The dichotomy of Chambliss’ position was on display. On one hand, Georgia’s senior senator acknowledged the service of gays and lesbians, and predicted that they would complete future service “valiantly.” On the other hand, Chambliss said “the presence” in the military of those “who demonstrate a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts” would create an unacceptable risk in the military…
Just as was stated by my friend Senator Udall, I think the live-and-let-live policy is not a bad policy to adhere to, and that’s what we have in place in the military with “don’t ask, don’t tell” right now. To you, Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen, you’re in a tough spot. We understand that. This is an extremely sensitive issue and everybody on this committee I’m satisfied is sensitive to this issue, both inside and outside the military.In the military, it presents an entirely different problem than it does in civilian life, because there is no constitutional right to serve in our armed forces. Today we know we have gay and lesbian soldiers serving. They’ve served in the past. They’re going to serve in the future, and they’re going to serve in a very valiant way. But the primary purpose of the armed forces is to prepare for and prevail in combat should the need arise. Military life is fundamentally different from civilian life, and military society is characterized by its own laws, rules, customs and traditions – including restrictions on personal behavior that would not be acceptable in civilian society.
Examples include alcohol use, adultery, fraternization, and body art. If we change this rule of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” what are we going to do with these other issues? The armed forces must maintain personnel policies that excludes persons whose presence in the armed forces would create an unacceptable risk to the armed forces high standards, the morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion.
In my opinion, the presence in the armed forces of persons who demonstrate a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts would very likely create an unacceptable risk to those high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and effective unit cohesion and effectiveness. I’m opposed to this change, and I look forward to a very spirited debate on this issue…
Chambliss, others want to stop civilian trial of 9/11 suspects
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By Bob Keefe
February 3, 2010Saying America can’t afford the costs or the threat to national security, U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss [R-Ga] and a bipartisan group of other senators on Tuesday introduced legislation that would forbid public funding for a civilian trial for the alleged Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attackers. Instead, the senators want the government to try alleged Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other terror suspects in a military courtroom at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. "We should not give those who planned the attack of Sept. 11 constitutional rights that are guaranteed to American citizens," Chambliss said.
The Obama administration wants to try the suspects in civilian court in part to show the world that the United States can give the attackers a fair and open trial. But since Congress controls the government’s purse strings, a civilian trial could be stopped if the proposed legislation passes. Attorney General Eric Holder wanted to try Mohammed in federal court in New York City, but city officials now say it will be too expensive and a logistical nightmare. The Justice Department is considering alternative cities…
Joining Graham, Chambliss and other Republicans in co-sponsoring the legislation are Democratic U.S. Sens. Jim Webb of Virginia and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, and Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut…
He is an unprincipled jerk, and that’s the name of that tune.
Life is changing so fast that some of our elected official have been left far behind and have become irrelevant — except that they continue to have a vote in the Senate and a voice in conservative media. It’s time to stop electing such troglodytes, even from Georgia. We’re better than that.
I still have a hard time accepting the fact that the people in Georgia voted for Chambliss over Cleland no matter what the reason.
Me too, Joy, and I’ve lived here my whole life.