Don't Touch "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Excellent opinion piece in the Washington Times from our friend Howie Lind...


Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, recently testified to Congress that members of the U.S. armed forces who oppose lifting the ban on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" should leave the military.

Maybe Admiral Mullen should heed his own advice and resign since he is so far out of step with "his" military. The majority of service members and uniformed leaders of the military do not want any changes to the current policy toward gay service members.

The proponents of changing this policy to allow gays, lesbians, and transgenders to serve openly in the U.S. military repeatedly point to two "polls", the first one that 70% of Americans agree with the change, and the second one that a "strong majority" of current service members want to change the policy based on a recent survey given to the military.

These are both wrong. Regarding the national "poll" of Americans, Admiral Mullen and other leaders in favor of lifting this ban have not explained at all to the public the negative consequences of this new policy. This is like asking Americans if they want world peace. The answer, of course is yes. For the survey to active duty military members, the question was NOT asked, "should the policy be changed?" But, rather "How should the change be implemented?" That makes a huge difference as to who actually fills out the survey especially since only 6 percent of the military responded to the survey.

The purpose of the U.S. military is to protect our nation through deterrence first; and if that fails, then through armed conflict. The fundamental ability for our military to fight and win wars is accomplished via unit cohesion. That means at the individual squad, ship, and aircrew levels, all service members must operate at 100% effectiveness. These service men and women eat, work, sleep, and bathe in very close proximity for extended periods of time. Open homosexuality at this level will degrade the cohesiveness and thereby, the combat effectiveness, of our nation's warriors.

There is no civilian comparison to this type of environment. So asking this question to the general public -- most of whom of have never served in the military -- is meaningless. This is not a civil rights issue. It is an issue of human sexuality.

And this is not about being anti-gay. It is about being pro-military and supporting the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who do the tough work of defending our country.

Howie Lind
Commander, US Navy (retired)
McLean, VA

Two Key Victories for R.C. Blog Supported Candidates!

On Saturday, two candidates supported and endorsed by the R.C. Blog, captured key victories at GOP conventions. 

First, in Virginia's 10th Congressional District, Howie Lind captured the majority of the 823 delegates in attendance and was elected as the District's new GOP Chairman.  Here are a few of Lind's post-victory comments:

"I am humbled beyond words for the trust you have placed in my hands today. I pledge to you that I will exhaust every energy that I posses to return your confidence in me a hundred fold. For those of you who did not support me today, nonetheless I am your Chairman as well. And I pledge to you that I will work just as hard to earn your support in the future.

These are scary times. Our Republic, in my judgment at least, is in dangerous waters. I fear for our Virginia and our America. I don't want to be counted as one of those who saw great danger and did nothing. I don't think you do either.

What we are being called to do is stand on the barricades here - in the 10th District. And to do more that we ever thought we could. We hope and pray that others in other districts all across the Commonwealth and the nation are doing likewise. Perhaps some will see our example here and say, 'Yes - I can make a stand right where I am, just like those Virginians in the 10th District!'

In the end, we are called to defend our traditions and values by our very hard work in the upcoming years and by our votes. That's what we are called to - hard work and passionate commitment.

Again, you have my heartfelt gratitude and my thanks. And I ask Our Great God to bless this land and bless you and bless our families. And I ask Him, humbly, to bless our efforts for the preservation of His gift of Liberty."

In Wisconsin, GOP gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker captured 91.3 percent of the delegate vote at the Wisconsin GOP convention in Milwaukee over rival and former congressman Mark Neuwmann. 

That gives Walker access to money, volunteers, voter and donor lists, and additional party resources to mount his campaign. Neumann will still appear on the primary ballot in September.

Walker got loud applause, ringing bells, and a lot of sign waving as he spoke to the crowd at the Frontier Airlines Center Saturday night. The winner of the Republican primary will likely face Democrat Tom Barrett in November.

Howie Lind for GOP Chairman of Virginia's 10th Congressional District

ReaganConservatives.us is proud to support and endorse Howie Lind for Virginia's 10th Congressional District GOP Chairman at tomorrow's GOP Convention in Warrenton, Va.  Howie has been a strong supporter over the years of Conservative values and beliefs and he is the true "Reagan Conservative" of this race!  He has done a remarkable job over the past two years on the State Central Committee representing the 10th District and has a wealth of personal and professional experiences, including serving as a Naval Officer for 20 years, Bush appointee, and now an industry executive, all of which make him the right candidate for the job.

Lind started considering a run for Chairman back in 2008.  "I looked around and realized after 2008 that if every one of us didn't pick up a tool and start rebuilding our Party and our nation, nothing would change," Lind told the RC Blog.  "This is in the true Reagan mold - we, the people need to be responsible. I saw this specific position as the place I could serve the most effectively."

He added, "We have many great challenges here in Virginia, but our greatest is to return to a 'narrative' of why Conservatism - the Constitution - matters to every American.  I will bring passion, honesty, and a willingness to work, work, work to elect Conservatives in the 10th District of Virginia."

In reflecting on what it means to be a "Reagan Conservative", Lind said, "Individual liberty and God ordained government - where every citizen is the captain of his or her future, and the state is a minimal intrusion. Freedom works! The great conservative agenda of Reagan is the continuing historic vision of our Founders."

ReaganConservatives.us Supports and Endorses Howie Lind for GOP Chairman of Virginia's 10th Congressional District! Paint the 10th Red!

Editor's Note:  The RC Blog has received a number of emails since last night about a Dave Schmidt email that was widely distributed to convention delegates from "ReaganConservatives".  Let me assure you that it did not come from my site or blog.  Mr. Schmidt sounds like a nice gentleman and family man who has been instrumental in the party out in the Leesburg area, but this site and its contributors have been in Howie's corner since the day he announced he was running. 

A reminder to convention delegates, you MUST attend and vote to be counted!  You must arrive at Fauquier High School in Warrenton (click here for map), before 10:00 a.m. and bring a picture ID with you for registration.  Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and you must be in registration line by 10:00 a.m. to be able to vote.

RC Blog Endorses Howie Lind for Virginia's 10th Congressional District GOP Chairman

The RC Blog is proud to support and endorse Howie Lind, a true Reagan Conservative, for Virginia's 10th Congressional District GOP Chairman. Lind currently serves as a member of the State Central Committee for the 10th District and has done a fantatic job since being elected to the post in 2008. He also served as the Dranesville District Chairman from 2006-2008. Howie is a decorated 20-year U.S. Navy veteran and served in the Bush Administration.

Here was Howie's announcement of his candidacy:

“In making this decision, I was reminded that each of us has a responsibility as a Virginian and as an American to do our part to preserve and protect what has been handed down to us. In 1980, Ronald Reagan famously asked Americans a question which resonates as much today as it did then: “If not us, who? If not now, when?” I believe, as I know so many of you do, that history is once again calling us to a great struggle - for the very soul of our nation. Our Virginia and American heritage is under siege. Our traditions and founding ideals are under relentless assault. Today's cultural and political "elites" seem determined to destroy everything that has made our nation the envy of the world and are putting our national security at risk. Will you join me and fight for our commonwealth and for our country?”

We encourage all 10th District Republicans to sign up to vote at the 10th District Convention on May 22. The Convention will be held at Fauquier High School in Warrenton, Va. The primary business of this convention is to elect the new Chairman. You will need to be registered as a delegate
with your local GOP committee, and attend the convention in person to vote.

For more information on how to sign up as a 10th District delegate, please contact the Howie Lind for Chairman campaign at (703) 336-3940.