Founder, Iraq Vets for Congress
Former Marine who served in the Iraq War; founder of Iraq Vets for Congress and author of This Recruit: A Firsthand Account of Marine Corps Boot Camp, Written While Knee-Deep in the Mayhem of Parris Island; 2008 Republican candidate for New York’s 19th Congressional District seat
Senate's Do-or-Die Time for Don't Ask Don't Tell Admiral Mike Mullen, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, made a personal appeal to the Senate Armed Services Committee today to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Isn't Dead Yet The Pentagon's top brass and civilian leaders asked the Senate today for an end to "Don't Ask Don't Tell," saying it requires soldiers to lie about their identity. A ten-month study showed more than two-thirds of 115,000 active-duty troops and their families don't care if gays and lesbians openly serve, though 58% of combat soldiers do. Republican John McCain said that called for more study, but Defense Secretary Gates warned of sudden disruption if the courts act before Congress. We hear from soldiers with different points of view and look at the prospects in the lame-duck session.
'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Moves to Crucial Phase After decades of controversy, Congress recognized the right of blacks and women to serve in the US military. "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" is a political compromise, signed by Bill Clinton, to get around granting equal treatment for gays and lesbians. With pressure building for repeal, the Pentagon surveyed the opinions of the active and reserve rank and file, timed for release on December 1. But last week, the results were leaked to the Washington Post .
What's the Future of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell?' After decades of controversy, Congress recognized the right of blacks and women to serve in the US military, perhaps making the armed services America's most thoroughly integrated institution – except when it comes to sexual orientation. While some states have legalized same-sex marriage, federal law says gays and lesbians can serve only if they're not "out." President Obama and Defense Secretary Gates want Congress to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the political compromise signed by Bill Clinton. John McCain and others see a threat to "combat effectiveness." We hear what a crucial Pentagon survey reveals about the rank and file. If it's not repealed in Congress, what about the courts?
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.