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Congressional Press Conference Busts Media Myths on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

March 04, 2010 4:22 pm ET by Karl Frisch

Yesterday on Capitol Hill, Representative Jim Moran (D-VA) hosted a press conference with fellow Reps. Jared Polis (D-CO), Lois Capps (D-CA) and Jerry Nadler (D-NY) along with former members of the military who have been hit hardest by the Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) policy barring openly gay men and women in uniform from serving their country.

The event served as an opportunity for these brave men and women to share their personal stories while also confronting a variety of media myths and falsehoods (detailed here) surrounding debate over the repeal of the 16 year-old policy.

Said, Rep. Moran:

"...there are opponents who will do all that they can to prevent repeal [of DADT]. Media Matters just recently released a report outlining all of the false and misleading accusations that opponents of reform have been trotting out in recent weeks...they're getting scared."

Arm yourself with the truth. Get to know the media myths and falsehoods surrounding coverage of DADT so you can fight back:

MYTH: Don't Ask, Don't Tell is working

MYTH: Repeal would undermine morale and unit cohesion

MYTH: Military experts oppose the repeal of DADT

MYTH: The public does not support repeal of DADT

MYTH: Right-wing attacks on DADT repeal are not anti-gay

MYTH: DADT repeal would adversely affect retention

MYTH: Experience of other nations aren't relevant because "nobody counts on" their armies

MYTH: Only progressives support the repeal of DADT

MYTH: DADT repeal would expose servicemembers to greater HIV risk

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    • Author by cugagcmu805031 (March 04, 2010 4:32 pm ET)
      3  
      I cannot recall the guy's name, but he was on Rachel Maddow's show last night. I was angry about the way Lt. Choi was treated and even angrier when the former Air Force officer spoke last night. There are so many people in America who operate on the basis of fear, fear of everything. What has me steaming mad is the fact that very highly intelligent, well-educated, devoted military personnel have been kicked out of the military, not because they've committed any crimes, but only because many in this country have provided tacit approval for them to be discriminated against due to their sexual orientation. It has been wrong and will continue to be wrong to deprive any citizen of his/her constitutional rights due to sexual orientation. It must end NOW.
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      • Author by John Paradox (March 04, 2010 10:08 pm ET)
        1  
        The truly stupid thing about the guy on Maddow was that, supposedly, if no one asked and the subject didn't 'out' him/herself, they would be left alone. Instead, there was a concerted effort to go through the guy's e-mails to find out if he was gay or not.
        How many other soldiers/sailors/etc. are being 'investigated'?
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  • County Fair is a media blog featuring links to progressive media criticism from around the Web as well as original commentary, breaking news and rapid response updates to major media events from Media Matters senior fellows and other staff.