From the New York Times in the USA:
June 23, 2008War threats against Iran overshadow US elections: here. And here. And here.‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Hits Women Much More
By THOM SHANKER
WASHINGTON — The Army and Air Force discharged a disproportionate number of women in 2007 under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that prohibits openly gay people from serving in the military, according to Pentagon statistics gathered by an advocacy group.
While women make up 14 percent of Army personnel, 46 percent of those discharged under the policy last year were women. And while 20 percent of Air Force personnel are women, 49 percent of its discharges under the policy last year were women.
By comparison for 2006, about 35 percent of the Army’s discharges and 36 percent of the Air Force’s were women, according to the statistics.
The information was gathered under a Freedom of Information Act request by the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a policy advocacy organization.
“Women make up 15 percent of the armed forces, so to find they represent nearly 50 percent of Army and Air Force discharges under ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is shocking,” said Aubrey Sarvis, the organization’s executive director. “Women in particular have been caught in the crosshairs of this counterproductive law.”
Anti gay bigotry in Britain: here.
The new issue of Traveling Soldier is out!
This issue features:
1. “This is bullshit and I’m calling you out Uncle Sam!”
http://www.traveling-soldier.org/6.08.hannah.php
2. I.V.A.W. Report on Outreach to GIs: “95-98% Were Very Receptive” writes Iraq vet Wendy Barranco
http://www.traveling-soldier.org/6.08.outreach.php
3. “The only way to stop Vietnam was for we the lowly jarheads and grunts to take our fingers off the triggers and say no” says a Vietnam Vet.
http://www.traveling-soldier.org/6.08.vietvet.php
4. “Bridging the Gap, Making It Happen” - Report on the April 5th Organizers’ Conference in NYC April
http://www.traveling-soldier.org/6.08.conference.php
5. Beware Of Useless Drugging For PTSD: “Reliving A Traumatic Experience By Writing Or Talking About It Is The Only Therapy Proved Effective By Independent Research”
http://www.traveling-soldier.org/6.08.drugging.php
6. Download the new Traveling Soldier to pass it out at your school, workplace, or at nearby base.
http://www.traveling-soldier.org/TS18.pdf
Comment by Administrator — June 24, 2008 @ 1:54 am