Political Quotes

“Madam President, I rise today to mark a momentous day and to stand with the millions of Americans for whom the end of don't ask, don't tell means the beginning of a real era of new equality for our Nation. It has been 60 days since Secretary Panetta, Chairman Mullen, and President Obama certified the U.S. Armed Forces were ready for the repeal of don't ask, don't tell. After 18 long years, today that policy finally comes to an end. This is an important day. It is a good day. Today is a good day because our Nation, in my view, is taking a major step forward not just in the pursuit of equal rights but in the pursuit of equal responsibility. Today is a good day because we always talk about equal rights, but with don't ask, don't tell we are talking about Americans who sought equal responsibility, Americans who wanted to serve their Nation. Nearly 14,000 LGBT Americans wanted to serve their Nation in their military but were deemed unfit to serve not because of what they did but because of whom they loved, as if loving another man made a soldier unable to aim a rifle or unwilling to die for his country. But for as many servicemembers who were drummed out--both literally and figuratively--under don't ask, don't tell, I cannot help but wonder how many more served in silence, proud of their uniform but made to feel ashamed of the person underneath. LTC Charles George served his country for more than 30 years, including 28 years as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army.…”