Boston Legal is great, again: Do Tell

[question everything]

I missed this episode but read the transcript. In it, a decorated general is dismissed after he came out.



General Milton Eckert: General Fitzgerald’s career has been one of distinction. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star, the Soldier’s Medal. He’s received eleven decorations, including the Legion of Merit. He was a soldier’s soldier.
Shirley Schmidt: Until he was tragically struck down with gayness.
JAG Schoenewics: Objection.
Judge Clark Brown: Sustained.
General Milton Eckert: He can be dismissed pursuant to the 1994 National Defense Authorization Act.
Shirley Schmidt: “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
General Milton Eckert: Yes.
Shirley Schmidt: Which says that gays can only serve in the military as long as they keep their sexual orientation private?
General Milton Eckert: Yes.
Shirley Schmidt: And General Fitzgerald’s offense was?
General Milton Eckert: He told.

(snip)

JAG Schoenewics: “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is a very considered and thought-out policy, Your Honor. One hatched not by Dick Cheney or Karl Rove, by the way, but by the Clinton Administration. It doesn’t target gays; it doesn’t say you can’t be gay—just don’t be open and notorious. We do not need our military compromised by unnecessary distractions. And, also, let’s face it: The Army is concerned with image. It has to be. The rough and tumble soldiers ready to do battle. We seek to strike awe, and, yes, a little fear, into the hearts of our enemy. So, we have “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Do we change this one day? I don’t know. Maybe. But now, as a practical matter, you do not challenge or change military policy during a time of war. You just don’t.

Shirley Schmidt: Yes, that works out to be extremely practical for our Presidential candidates when they don’t want to go near the issue. I was watching a debate. There were at least 12 candidates standing on stage. Not one dared challenge “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” I—I guess politicians feel bigotry can be ratified by a 59% approval rating, but whether your name is Hillary, Obama, Rudy or Mitt, their message is all the same: You want to be gay? Fine. But for God’s sake, keep it to yourself. Aren’t we a proud people? Thank God for America holding out for real values, while Canada, England, Australia, Israel welcome gays into their military. In fact, every member of NATO, with the exception of Turkey, say it’s okay to be gay and in uniform. But, what do they know? If you’re going to impose democracy across the world, you’ve got to take a stand against civil liberties.

Judge Clark Brown: bangs his gavel I will not allow you to attack the United States of America!
Shirley Schmidt: Why the hell not? On this issue, we’ve taken a decidedly low road. We’re not only tolerating intolerance, we’re codifying it into national policy. How can we all not be ashamed?
Judge Clark Brown: Not everyone shares your point of view.
Shirley Schmidt: chuckles Clearly. I—in fact, it’s quite a popular prejudice. We don’t allow gays to marry. We don’t allow them to give blood. We make it next-to-impossible for them to get health insurance. And, how about the big national tribute to Jerry Falwell, the man blamed 9-11 on God’s wrath against homosexuals? We give him a state funeral like he’s a national hero?

Judge Clark Brown: This case is not about Jerry Falwell. It’s not about discrimination against gays in America. It is about gays in the military, a practical analysis in time of war, and I will ask you to keep your remarks on point.
Shirley Schmidt: Okay. pause Practically speaking, this war isn’t going well. We keep saying we need to send in more troops. Well, Judge, there are no more troops. We’ve run through the National Guard. We’re now tapping into private security companies. emphasizing each word There are no more troops. As a practical matter, we have thrown 10,000 good soldiers out, because they admitted being gay. Do you know how desperately the Army could use those men? As a practical matter, this policy stinks. As a moral one, I repeat: How can every one of us not be ashamed and why the hell aren’t you?

[napi21]

1. I saw the show. It was great as usual! I'm rooting for the writers

to get what they want. They deserve it! But I hope it doesn't take too long. I don't know how many episodes of shows like BL are in the can before we have to deal with the damn reruns again!

[question everything]

2. And then there was the other show about Meghan Law

that makes convicted sex offenders' - even if they were not - life miserable.

[dsc]

3. It was a great show

but the notion that no candidate opposes DADT is a total lie. Every single, solitary Democratic candidate, without exception opposes that policy while every single solitary Republican one, again without exception, favors it.

[question everything]

4. They do, hoewver, oppose gay marriage

and I think that this was also the point.