Timbre of a TimeFree Mind

The bill represents an attempt by Democrats and gay-rights advocates to reframe the debate over the rights of gays and lesbians, in an era when Republicans have used the same-sex marriage issue against Democrats.

The measure's sponsors argue that national security demands that gay and lesbian soldiers be allowed to serve. A Government Accountability Office study released Friday found that more than 750 service members in jobs considered crucial in combating terrorism were among the nearly 10,000 who have been dismissed from the armed forces for being gay, lesbian or bisexual under the policy.

``The policy is a proven failure,'' said Rep. Martin Meehan, a Massachusetts Democrat who is the bill's lead sponsor. ``In a time of war, it's outrageous that the military continues to discharge thousands of experienced, courageous, dedicated service members, with many of the critical skills that are needed in the war on terror, for reasons that have nothing to do with their conduct in uniform.''

The bill is a long shot to pass in the GOP-controlled Congress; of its 53 sponsors, only one - Rep. Christopher Shays of Connecticut - is a Republican. The House Armed Services Committee will take up the measure. Its chairman, Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., favors a complete ban on gays in the military, and believes that the ``don't ask, don't tell'' policy is too lenient.

``Chairman Hunter doesn't believe that gays should be in the military,'' said Carrie Sloan, a Hunter spokesman.

Patrick Guerriero, president of the gay-rights group Log Cabin Republicans, acknowledged that ``a lot of work'' has to be done to convince his fellow Republicans in Congress.

But he said the political climate has changed greatly in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, because of the increased strain on the U.S. military. Some coalition forces serving in the war on terrorism are now being led by openly gay British officers, with no ill effects on morale or job performance, Guerriero said.

``We need soldiers in Fallujah who shoot straight, not necessarily who are straight,'' said Guerriero, a former mayor and state legislator. ``It's interesting that people think throwing people out of the military makes sense in a time of war.''

The bill's backers say the measure could pick up support in the wake of last week's GAO report, which found that the policy has forced out more than 300 foreign-language specialists, as well as code-breakers, interrogators and counter-intelligence special- ists.

Recruiting and training replacements has cost taxpayers about $200 million, according to the report.

posted by jikido  # 2:01 PM