It's time to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

President Obama stated his resolve to end this discriminatory policy in his State of the Union address. And yesterday at the Senate Armed Services hearing, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen and Defense Secretary Robert Gates joined the call to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

From a moral standpoint, we should honor all those who want to serve their country. It's wrong for people to be told they have to lie about who they are and cover up their identity in order to serve their country.

From a national security standpoint, we are fighting two wars. Our military is strained. And yet we discharged over 400 soldiers last year due to this policy, including crucial Arabic and Farsi translators.

It's time to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Email your members of Congress. Tell them to support the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" today!

Unfortunately, the current policy in the U.S. Armed Forces really isn't "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." It's about witch-hunts. It's about tattle-tales. It's about the pressure to cover things up, to not be seen, and to not know who you are.

Other nations' armed forces have gay and lesbian individuals openly serving in them, and they are succeeding. There is no reason why we have to discriminate against men and women who want to serve their country.

I was encouraged by Secretary Gates' announcement of a one-year review with an implementation plan to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to be submitted by the end of 2010. But to implement any plan, Congress must support the repeal.

Email your members of Congress. Tell them to support the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" today!

People should be entitled to be who they are.

As Admiral Mullen stated in his testimony yesterday, "Allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do."

Sincerely,

Wes Clark

Hello Everyone:

Here is the CNN video link of Gen. Clark on Larry King Live as a panel guest (along with Lieutenant Colonel Robert Maginnis, Lieutenant Dan Choi, and Tony Perkins) talking about repealing the military's "don't ask/don't tell" policy which only goes up to the commercial:

http://cnn.com/video/?/video/bestoftv/2010/02/03/lkl.dont.ask.cnn

The end of 'don't ask' policy? 5:08

Source: CNN
Added On February 3, 2010

"A panel of ex-military, including Gen. Wesley Clark, debates the effectiveness and morality of "don't ask, don't tell."

Former insurance lobbyist (Emerson) continues to raise hundreds of thousands from lobbyists and corporate PACs

Southeast Missourian | Jonathan Feifs | February 1, 2010

Contribute to Tommy's campaign today via Wes's Act Blue page.

Rolla, MO -- During the 4th quarter of 2009, former Army Green Beret Tommy Sowers raised $179,127, 98% of which came as contributions from individuals. In stark contrast, incumbent and former insurance lobbyist Jo Ann Emerson once again relied on her special interest friends, raising nearly half her money from corporate PACs and special interest groups.

Sowers said, "Emerson does not represent Southeastern Missouri. She still represents the city where she was born and raised: Washington, DC. People here tell me they are tired of business as usual in Washington. The lobbyists and special interests behind Emerson are exactly what people here are sick of."

I wanted to call your attention to crucial special election in Massachusetts next Tuesday.

Massachusetts will be electing a new Senator who needs to fight to protect Ted Kennedy's legacy in the Senate. The future of health care and so many issues we care about are on the line. That's why I'm supporting Martha Coakley.

The right wing is trying to use this campaign to make a statement. What better way than filling Ted Kennedy's old seat with a conservative ideologue?

Don't let them do it. Join me and contribute to Democrat Martha Coakley's campaign today.

http://www.actblue.com/page/clark4coakley

Please read Vicki Kennedy's passionate email about her husband below and make a contribution today. With just 5 days to go, there is no better time to make a difference.

Wes

-----Forwarded message-----

FR: Vicki Kennedy

TO: Wes Clark

SUBJ: Support Martha Coakley

Dear Wes,

Throughout my husband Ted's life, you were always there for him, for me and for the entire Kennedy family. We are tremendously grateful for your friendship and support in the past, and we ask you to stand with us now to support Martha Coakley in the crucial race to fill Ted's remaining term.

This Tuesday, January 19 everything is on the line. The people of Massachusetts will decide who will be their next Senator, and we need Martha Coakley.

The importance of having a voice and a vote that you can count on in Washington has never been more evident than during this ongoing health care debate. And we're going to need every vote again.

Ted fought for national health care reform for 40 years. He believed that every American deserved their chance at the American dream, but that as long as an illness or preexisting condition could bankrupt an American family, that great goal could never become a reality. We need Martha Coakley to continue our shared fight for national health reform, to reduce costs for businesses and families and increase coverage in Massachusetts and throughout this country. This race will be very close and we need you to get us to victory.

We have just 5 days to do the hard work of electing Martha Coakley so that we can continue the agenda that Ted made the fight of his life -- reforming health care, ensuring equality and justice for all, protecting our seniors, and rebuilding our economy to allow everyone to prosper. That fight for working families cannot stop -- not now, not when so much is at stake for Massachusetts and America. And that's why I'm asking you to ensure that we are victorious this Tuesday.

Stand with me and support Martha Coakley by making a contribution of $35, $50, or whatever you can do today. My husband fought all his life to keep moving this nation forward -- now we must make it the fight of ours.

We need to do everything it takes to ensure our shared fight continues. I am asking you personally to do one more thing for Martha Coakley. We cannot do this without you.

With gratitude,

Vicki Kennedy

P.S. I know together we can keep fighting for our shared vision of the future. Please go online today to make a difference.

This could turn out to be worse than the tsunami.

There are lots of places you can give.....

Hello Everyone:

Here is the FOX News video link of Gen. Clark on The O'Reilly Factor on Tuesday, December 29 (there is about a two minute introduction of the topic by the guest host right before Gen. Clark is interviewed):

They don't send Green Berets on easy missions. So when I heard Tommy Sowers -- an 11-year Army officer who served as a Combat Engineer, Airborne Ranger, and Green Beret -- was running for Congress, I knew I had to help.

Tommy is a rare breed of leader, a warrior and scholar whose desire to serve is complemented with honor, courage, and intellect. But that won't be enough to win in Missouri's 8th district, where he faces a 13-year incumbent who is bankrolled by the corporate special interests.

Tommy needs your help.

Please donate $5 or more to Tommy's campaign today!

Tommy left his promising career in the Army this summer and returned to Missouri take on this new fight -- to serve his home in Congress. Seeing the deteriorating condition of the area where generations of his family have lived, he knew this is something that has to happen now.

During his deployments -- once in Kosovo and twice in Iraq -- Tommy was sent to places where the people had no hope, and he was tasked with achieving things that people said could not be done.

Again, there are no easy missions for Green Berets, and this challenge is no different.

Help Tommy and me bring hope to Missouri's 8th district. Contribute $5 or more to his campaign today!

Missouri's 8th is an expansive district that encompasses the entire southeastern corner of the state. There you see the worst problems befalling rural America: a disappearing manufacturing base, worsening access to health care, and a vanishing way of life that once helped these small communities thrive.

There are nearly 70,000 veterans in the district, and they feel that there is nothing to keep their children and grandchildren in the communities where they grew up. Tommy needs your help to bring a better future to southeastern Missouri.

Tommy's opponent is a special-interest-fueled former lobbyist. He needs your help to level the playing field and fight in the U.S. House to bring economic opportunity back to his home.

Please donate $5 or more to Tommy's campaign today!

At a time when the number of veterans in Congress is at its lowest point since World War II, we need to come together to put more common sense leaders like Tommy in Congress to help get this country back on track.

Gratefully,

Wes Clark

WH Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth:

The Innovation Agenda and Green Jobs of the Future Discussion

December 3, 2009 

Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Assistant to the President Carol Browner moderate a discussion on The Innovation Agenda and Green Jobs of the Future at the Forum on Jobs and Economic Growth.

We at the Happy Birthday Blog are blessed to have the privilege and honor of wishing the most special of days to one of the greatest ladies on the planet:  Gert Clark.  The Clarkies at the CCN express our unbounded love for you and who you are.  May your day be filled with family, love, happiness, and peace.

Veterans, National Security Leaders Stand Up For Clean Energy In New Repower America TV Ad

As the nation prepares to celebrate Veterans Day and honor the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces, the Alliance for Climate Protection’s Repower America campaign today released a new television ad featuring veterans and national security leaders in their own voices calling for bold action now on clean energy and climate change to strengthen America’s national security.