MURPHY: I think, you know, sometimes, it's frankly disheartening. I've only been here for 2 1/2 years, but sometimes they give the excuse of, "I can't do it in my district. I'm in a tough district." And that's Republicans and Democrats. They'd be like, "Murph, I would love to be with you."
Call me silly or unrealistic, but I've always believed that there comes a time when one is called to do the right thing because it's the right thing to do, consequences be damned. If you're in Congress and you're afraid to do the right thing because the haters will be upset with you...well, it's time to find another line of work. When it comes to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", it's beyond time to do the right thing and roll back a policy that does nothing to serve the public interest nor our national security. Yet there are those in Congress afraid to step up and claim the moral high ground because they represent a "tough district"? WTF? Grow a pair, willya?
Interesting how the military has no problem harboring bigots and White Supremacists...but homosexuals are considered detrimental to morale and unit cohesion. So, let me see if I have this straight: hate good, love bad? We're OK with the idea of hating and discriminating against someone because of who they are and who they choose to love...unless they're straight, in which case love is the most wonderful thing in the world. And we fail to see the basic contradiction in that attitude...never mind the harm that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" does to our national security? How many Arabic translators have been drummed out of the military...and at a time when radical Islamofascism presents perhaps the single greatest threat America faces today. Why is the concern not about how a person can help keep us safe? Why is the focus on their sexuality? Why do we allow this situation to exist to the detriment of our safety and security?
The problem with hatred is that it blinds us to reality...and the reality is that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" protects neither our moral fiber nor our national security. Until our elected representatives (including our President) recognize this and grow a pair, any dialogue on this issue will be dominated by the haters. We have in front of us what is and must be considered a crystal-clear moral issue: are we a nation that believes in equality, that all men are created equal? Or are we willing to pat ourselves on the back for our open-mindedness while we look the other way as yet another group of dedicated, committed Americans are forced to the sidelines because of who they are?
As if I need to answer that....
WE DESERVE BETTER.
