Obama suffers defeat on ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’
December 10, 2010
Following a breakdown in negotiations between Democratic leadership and some Republicans, supporters of President Barack Obama’s push to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy fell three votes short in their efforts. The current policy bars avowed homosexuals from serving in the military.
In 1992, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith stated that “there are areas in which it is not unjust discrimination to take sexual orientation into account, for example, in the placement of children for adoption or foster care, in employment of teachers or athletic coaches, and in military recruitment.”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Major setback for 'don't ask' repeal (Washington Post)
- Pentagon vs. common soldiers? (CWN, 12/7)
- Some Considerations Concerning The Response To Legislative Proposals On The Non-Discrimination Of Homosexual Persons (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 1992)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: AgnesDay -
Dec. 11, 2010 12:57 PM ET USA
As a former English teacher, I stand corrected. I have to say that these missives from the Vatican are very easy to misinterpret. Maybe it's all the double negatives my students used that were obviously meant to be negative!
-
Posted by: JIZ -
Dec. 11, 2010 7:31 AM ET USA
AgnesDay, it appears as if you've inadvertently misinterpreted the CDF document: Cardinal Ratzinger stated that it is "not unjust discrimination," i.e., it is just to discriminate against homosexuals in military recruitment and the other matters mentioned.
-
Posted by: msorensen71798 -
Dec. 10, 2010 10:35 PM ET USA
AgnesDay: it seems you missed the double negative. Re-read the quote: "not unjust discrimination" = it is just to discriminate in those matters. You and the CDF and I are all on the same page. And you are quite correct in your summation re: advertising unchastity. Well put!
-
Posted by: marttywinston6762 -
Dec. 10, 2010 9:24 PM ET USA
AgnesDay: I think you misunderstood, perhaps because the double negative makes it confusing.
-
Posted by: AgnesDay -
Dec. 10, 2010 11:43 AM ET USA
I am nonplussed by the letter above which states that sexual orientation should not be taken into consideration in matters of adoption, foster care and military service. While I have respect and compassion for all persons, I still believe that all children deserve normal role models; and we now know what damage has been done by the soldier protesting "Don't ask, don't tell." Chastity is required of all, and openly gay people are advertising unchastity.
