Political Quotes

“When I arrived off Afghanistan in charge of an aircraft carrier battle group, I knew as an admiral that a certain percentage of that carrier battle group in combat was gay. I always wondered how one could come home and say they don't deserve equal rights. I respect the differing opinion. It was 5,000 sailors on that aircraft carrier that I commanded. Their average age is 19½, and they just don't care. I honestly believe that when those who you are supposed to be leading are actually ahead of the leaders, leaders lose credibility. I joined up during Vietnam. We were having race riots on our aircraft carriers then. We worked through that. That night off Afghanistan when I first arrived, we had never had women pilots. I put up one woman with seven men. She was the one that disobeyed my orders and dove without permission and saved four Special Forces. My point is we don't do this just for equality. We do it because we want the best of all, whether it is race, whether it is gender, or sexual orientation. That is why I support the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.”