By The Numbers
By Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy on September 12, 2009 at 5:01 PM in ABC News, ACORN, Associated Press, Bailouts, Bank Bailouts, CNN, Congress (House & Senate), Current Affairs, Democrats, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Fox News, Media Handling of Story, NBC/MSNBC, New York Times, Obama's Broken Promises, President Barack Obama, Republicans, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Soldiers/Veterans, Washington Post
Yes, it is a Numbers Game today. My blogging buddy, Diamond Tiger at Logistics Monster had this video at her blog today, which I am shamelessly stealing (hey - she’s on HI time - she is up when we East Coasters are dead asleep, even though she is at the March on Washington. Check out her site for reports of that event.). Glenn Beck sums it all up nicely, though the numbers he reveals are far from “nice.” More like shocking, infuriating, discouraging, and maddening. Here they are:
And I have another number for you: 400. Yes, Saturday marks an inauspicious milestone. 400 is the number of Service Members who have been discharged under DADT during Obama’s Administration. 400 men and women whose lives were changed simply because of whom they love. 400 men and women who were willing to serve their country, to put themselves in harm’s way for us, for the U.S.A, and they have now been fired.
And here’s another number for you: $56,400. That is the average, approximate cost to train a service member for their first duty station by one estimate. $56,400 each for enlisted personnel, not officers, including when they first visit a Recruiter (these are 2006 figures, so it might be more now).
The average cost to train an officer? That number is: 120,772. If that officer happens to be a fighter pilot, you can go ahead and round that number up to: $1,450,000. Remember, these are just averages. The cost to train Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach was $25,000,000. Fehrenbach, a decorated war hero, was fired from the Air Force under DADT.
And one last number for you: 9/11. Many people in this country were moved to do some kind of service to and for their country as a result of the attacks on 9/11, GLBT people included. Obama has been pushing this huge call to Service, including on 9/11/09. Secretary Clinton gave a speech on the Commemoration of the First Annual National Day of Service And Remembrance on 9/11. Presumably, the ability to serve one’s country should be open to ALL of its citizens.
Yet today, that ability is not. As of today, 400 Americans have been told their willingness to serve their country, to put themselves in harm’s way on her behalf, is neither desired nor accepted. 400 Americans have been told that the National Day of Service does not apply to them. 400.
How about those numbers?
(Release: November 13)
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Why does every critique of Obama on this site somehow relate back to his LGBT policy?
Honestly folks, this guy is working really really hard to destroy the foundations of the American republic that have sustained America for over two centuries.
I think we have bigger fish to fry, no?
But hey, whatever floats your boat, and for the record, I agree DADT is an idiotic policy, created by an incoherent Clinton politico apparatus.
Thank you for the reminder that many of us aren’t being included in this new and improved America.I still hear excuses from those who should know better. Suspending DADT would take all of 5 minutes from the President of the United States. He’s not willing to do the right thing. What is any gay or lesbian person’s excuse for allowing him to get away with this discrimination and not be called out.
Excellent question, Glenn. I can think of NO reason why anyone should let him off the hook. Yes, he CAN stay the execution of DADT, get his Super Duper Dem. Majority to CHANGE THE LAW, and be done with it. But, no. Instead, it’s more platitudes and vague assurances.
As in the song “The Farmer in the Dell”
The rat takes the cheese,
The rat takes the cheese,
Heigh-ho, the derry-o,
The rat takes the cheese.
The cheese stands alone,
The cheese stands alone,
Heigh-ho, the derry-o,
The cheese stands alone.
BO’s cheese stands alone.
BO could issue an proclamation.
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is an archaic and shamelessly discriminatory policy that Obama could have done away with, by executive order, immediately upon taking office. For the life of me, I don’t know why the military thinks that everything will fall apart, if gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender individuals are allowed to serve openly. What we need are dedicated people who want to serve their country, and nobody should be denied that opportunity just because of their sexual orientation. It is time for Obama to rescind DADT!!!
I could not agree more, Kim. If other countries can manage to have GLBT people in their militaries, why are we so far behind? Are Americans not capable of being as advanced as, say, the Israelis??
And Linda, you said it - it’s a crying shame. We’re better than this - right? We are, aren’t we? I think so.
Obama, maybe not, but the rest of us, absolutely…
And how abt those Glenn Beck numbers? Can you BELIEVE NBC, MSNBC, and CBS have done NOTHING on ACORN?? How the hell can that be?? Mind boggling. What really gripes me with the big three is that these are OUR airwaves they are getting to use, and they are not covering something this important, something that has impacted every tax paying American? That’s just criminal - or it should be…
NBC, MSNBC and CBS will not report on anything that might damage “The One” in any way. If not for FOX news, we’d never know a lot of things that are going on. Beck has a huge following and it grows larger everyday. ACORN shouldn’t even be allowed to continue operating, and I hope Beck stays on this until he takes them down.
Thank you RRRAmy!
Those are some impressive numbers. Too bad they are not impressive in a good way. Equality seems like such a simple, basic right and yet, so many exclusions are applied.
400 DADT discharges in the 6 months of the Obama administration.
I just had no idea.
What a crying shame.
NO POST ABOUT THE PROTEST ON WASHINGTON?
I am sure one will be forthcoming! Like I said at the beginning of this post, my buddy, Diamond Tiger is there right now. I am waiting to see her firsthand report. And, it does take time for videos to be uploaded from Fox and other sources.
If you have some info to share, though, please do!! From what I saw, there were tens of thousands of people there. Fantastic, isn’t it?
HERO - that is CRAZY!!!! I can’t believe that. Holy smokes…
http://www.breitbart.tv/aerial-views-show-mass-crowd-gathering-for-march-on-dc/
There is an aerial view in this video.
Lots of people!
From the same source…..a catchy tune and video about the right to protest.
http://www.breitbart.tv/saturday-sing-a-long-it-aint-obamas-business-if-i-do/
Some of us were watching and commenting on a thread previously. It is still quite disgusting to read on other blogs how this is a k.. rally and how they shouldn’t wear their white hoods after labor day. There is never an ability to stop themselves is there? Just keep bashing and claiming this is all bout racism and a republican game; when it is Republicans Democrats, and Independents, as well as non voters alike, from all walks of life. The same words(just a different day) as used against those who went to the health care bill forums. Constant hate speech is all that is being produced on many of those sites anymore. I am for freedom of speech, but when did it become alright to incite hatred? This is not just political disagreement, this is outright hate mongering of the worse order, against those who would speak their disagreement. Pelosi wants yet a third apology, the complicit main stream whores seem willing to risk what license issues may follow one of their filthy remarks about the protesters. Now,today, this action is being called the million moron march. Not a word about ACORN, sickening.
I really do fear for what each day brings at this point.
Katmoon — if you want a little cheering up (I needed some, after reading what you wrote — I never have the courage to go to the obamatron-blogs, and now I know why), you might want to go here and then also check out the comments. Might make you a little more optimistic — I’ll betcha there are more well-meaning Americans out there than the mean-meaning ones:
http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/09/why_i_am_no_longer_an_african.html
requiredreading, I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to get you upset. It is so intense at this point in time. The article you linked to was incredible and it does lift my spirits. I have to say I do not in any way associate supporters of the one with anything other than fools, from all races, ages and walks of life. total fools, self serving fools, and haven’t got any idea what it is like to really serve their country in any way, whether it is by military means, community service, or in a political office as a serious representative of the constituents. The writer of the article on american thinker, touched me, and made my heart smile for the second time today. Those fearless souls that were in d.c. and other parties today, make my soul grin! Thanks again requiredreading!
Oh, I’m glad! But of course - you’re right and your strategy is more effective: we have to address all the wrong-headedness straight on and find a way to counter all the falsehoods and half-truths. That’s a nice segway into the new thread above with the fantastic video of the actual crowd -see you up there and thanks for all you do here
the million moron march. Must be a talking point, I watched Bill Maher because Richard Clarke was on, but in his monologue he used the exact words.
Bill Maher is just another obamabot with an ego to match That One’s.
Is that why Richard Clarke kept looking at him like he was Condi Rice?
The sad thing is that even Fox, in its initial coverage of the demonstration today, said the demonstrators were “conservative”. That’ll pretty much kill any chance these patriots will be seen as anything other than right wingnuts.
And speaking of networks, I found myself banned from CBS comment boards today. Since I’ve never posted anything even remotely resembling some of the rants up there I can only assume I was banned for a comment I made yesterday asking “CBS, where is your coverage of the corruption at ACORN?” Evidently they don’t like their biases pointed out.
I’m kinda proud. It’s the first time I’ve ever been banned from any board. If you’re gonna get sacked, get sacked by the big boys. It makes you feel important.
I share the thoughts you expressed, Katmoon. I am so disappointed in some of the blogs that I visit, that the same elitist thinking clouds their views and opinions of this genuinely American tradition of protesting.
“aspirin overdose” gonna watch my tube tonight !
LOOKS LIKE THE KENYA BOY’S THUGS ARE STARTING TO DO SOME CLEANING BEFORE THE TRIAL…
BETTER REZKO AND BLAGO WATCH THEIR BACKS !
Key Blagojevich adviser dies
Updated 18 minutes ago
Christopher Kelly, a key figure in the federal corruption probe into former Gov. Rod Blagojevich is dead. Kelly, who was indicted alongside Blagojevich in April, pleaded guilty this week in a separate federal case.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/
Key Blagojevich adviser Christopher Kelly dead
http://www.suntimes.com/1767469,christopher-kelly-blagojevich-dead-091209.article
Aspirin? I wonder how many people a year die from aspirin overdose? I saw Blago on Huckabee saying he would like to be able to subpoena Obama and maybe Michelle and Rahm. He thinks they can help to exonerate him. Fancy that. You have to admire his spirit though. He isn’t about to roll over and quit. Go Blago.
Well, my own pesonal theory, based on absolutely no evidence, is that someone in the high echelons of power who is a neo con, has damning evidence about O’s bisexuality and has threatened to release it if O does what he should do about DADT. As I said, I have no evidence. But since there is no good reason for him not to do the right thing, I get to make up a reason for him.
P.S. I also wanted to say that I am totally blown away about the media’s lack of real coverage of the ACORN videos. Are they so ashamed that it was a “mere” student of journalism who did this that they can’t admit their own lack of investigative passion?
I remember when the stinulus package was big news a year ago all the people who though I was crazy for not liking the concept of community organizing. They didn’t think it was a bad thing that ACORN was being promised so much money. Silly, silly me. Now they can’t take the time to even watch the videos when I forward them.
Nobody knew what “community organizers” did. Most still don’t know. They cause division is what they do best. Why anybody ever thought a community organizer could be an effective leader is beyond me.
wowzers. those numbers are staggering! thanks for filling us in on the latest on DADT! shameful!
This is what is WRONG with a 2 party (only) system!
If there are ONLY two lines R and D
and the KKK creeps MOSTLY go in the R line
and the Infanticide/Ayers/Wright loving Punks MOSTLY go in the D line
it seems to me that will always be fuel for the other parties fire against the other one
it makes it really hard for those of us that are NEITHER yet still VOTE (like we think it counts) hahaha!
Murder By the Numbers Zappa and Sting.
.
BO?