Richardson calls for repeal of ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy

[bigtree]

03/15/2007 7:45:47 PM
Associated Press

SANTA FE (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson says he wants Congress to repeal the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in which gay service members are required to keep their sexual orientation private.

Richardson’s comments are in response to remarks made this week by the Pentagon’s top general that homosexual acts are immoral and that the military shouldn’t condone homosexuality by allowing gay personnel to serve openly.

Marine General Peter Pace has since apologized for the comments, saying he should have limited his discussion of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

Richardson says he doesn’t believe homosexuality is immoral and that people shouldn’t be judged based on their sexual orientation.

Richardson calls Pace’s remarks “unfortunate” and says the Bush administration should reject them.

http://www.kobtv.com/index.cfm?viewer=storyviewer&id=31086&cat=NMTOPSTORIES



What about Bill?

2/22/2007

Concord, N.H. — “He’s actually been wonderful. He’s kept every promise he’s ever made to the community.” Anyone remember the last time you heard an LGBT political activist say that about a candidate for the White House? It certainly can’t be said about Bill Clinton, whose 1992 campaign pledge to let gays serve openly in the military resulted in the disastrous “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Ditto for John Kerry, whose reputation for being a longstanding champion of gay civil rights went bust when he came out for anti-gay marriage amendments in Massachusetts and Missouri in the heat of the 2004 campaign. But that’s how Alexis Blizman, the executive director of Equality New Mexico, sums up Democrat Bill Richardson’s record on LGBT issues as governor of her home state.

He certainly has a few things to talk about. In 2003, Richardson followed through on campaign pledges to sign into law LGBT-inclusive hate crimes and non-discrimination bills, making New Mexico one of just a handful of states to include transgender people in state’s civil rights laws. Not only did he sign the legislation, said Blizman, “he actively helped work the legislators to make sure it passed.” Richardson also issued a 2003 executive order providing domestic partner benefits to gay state employees. In 2005 he came out in opposition to proposed state DOMA legislation, unless it contained a civil unions or domestic partnership provision (the bill eventually died); he has also spoken out against a federal anti-gay marriage amendment. Blizman, who is supporting Richardson in his quest for the White House, says that Richardson is behind Equality New Mexico’s push to pass a comprehensive domestic partnership bill that would provide two “non-familial” adults with all of the state-level rights afforded to married couples.

Richardson’s support for LGBT rights extends back to his years in Congress, where he represented New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District for 14 years until 1997. He opposed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and supported a range of other gay-friendly legislation.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=268046

[muntrv]

1. If Gore doesn't run in 08, I'd vote for Richardson.

[ruggerson]

2. If he catches on in one of the early primaries

he could be unstoppable.

He is everything the others are not: likeable, authentic and direct.

Added bonus: he's a purple state governor.

[supragenius1965]

3. typical of hypocritical bill richardson

This guy is a republican in all but name. When was the last time you saw a Mexican named "Richardson"? That alone should make you ask questions.

This guy is hipdeep in with the Republicans. Richardson is the guy who gave NM to the GOP in 2000.

[bigtree]

4. speaking of hip deep in

[ruiner4u]

5. SERIAL!!11!11!!11!111

[Alexander]

6. Newsflash: New Mexico went to the DEMOCRATS in 2000.

Maybe you meant 2004?

And who cares about his last name? Maybe mom is Latino and dad is caucasian - who really gives a shit?

My last name is so German that many have difficulty pronouncing and/or spelling it - yet I'm also Irish, Scottish, English and of unknown ancestry (maybe even, gasp, MEXICAN!). Is it really that hard for you to understand, that people tend to be of mixed ethnicity nowadays?

[skipos]

7. Hopefully your other 3 posts are a little more intelligent than this.

Welcome to DU.

[bigtree]

8. Bill Richardson was one of only a handful of lawmakers to vote against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Governor Richardson was Congressman Richardson back in 1993, when lawmakers were debating "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and wading through a swamp of anti-gay sentiment on Capitol Hill. But Richardson stood out even then as a champion of lesbian and gay service members. He was one of only a handful of lawmakers to vote against the law, advocating instead for the right of gay personnel to serve openly.
http://citizenchris.typepad.com/citizenchris/2007/01/another_bill_be.html

From Day 1, Richardson made clear that anything less than full citizenship for gay service members was simply unacceptable.

Today, Governor Richards continues to support open service, and a repeal of the ban. This entry from The Bill Richardson Blog also points out that the Governor is an outspoken advocate on other issues important to the LGBT community, too.
http://billrichardsonblog.com/?p=214

http://freedomtoserve.blogspot.com/2007/01/bill-richardson-long-time-champion-of.html

[Mojorabbit]

9. I am taking a second look at this guy

It seems most of the frontrunners are parsing every word. I want someone who comes out and says what he is for and against.

[Horse with no Name]

10. Glad to see it.

It is a shame that men and women who are risking their lives for this country don't have equal rights.
Which is why I think that only White Christian Males should serve until EVERY citizen has equal rights across the board.
Gays, women, minorities...the whole shebang.
NOBODY should sacrifice their lives to protect the rights of others that they don't have themselves.