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elfsLast night during the Republican debate, where many of the questions were submitted via You-Tube, one of the most signifcant moments came when a serviceman in Afghanistan asked the candidates whether or not they would reinstate Don't Ask Don't Tell.
Rather than applaud a serviceman's sacrifice in war, members of the audience booed him.
Rick Santorum ignored the booing and proceeded to talk about how Don't Ask, Don't Tell allowed for sexual license within the military. Apparently, the Republican candidates have had their heads in the sand so long they're completely unaware that military regulations regarding sexual harassment, conduct becoming a serviceman, and so forth and so on, have not been repealed.
Today, Santorum issued a statement saying that he did not hear the "boos" from the audience, saying " That soldier is serving our country, I thank him for his service to our country. I’m sure he’s doing an excellent job. I hope he is safe, and I hope he returns safely, and does his mission well."
A lot of people have suggested I should take Santorum at his word.
I can't.
Rick Santorum has never failed to say to a serviceman, "I thank you for your service," or, when responding to a recorded message, Santorum, to follow tradition, would have said, "I thank the soldier for his service." Just as Republicans always salute the flag, they always say "Thank you for your service."
Rick Santorum didn't. He dismissed the serviceman's service in order to address his sexuality. Leaving aside whether or not he heard the audience, because of that serviceman's stated sexual orientation, Rick Santorum denied him the respect Rick Santorum says our men and women in uniform deserve.
And that's why I can't believe Rick Santorum.
Rather than applaud a serviceman's sacrifice in war, members of the audience booed him.
Rick Santorum ignored the booing and proceeded to talk about how Don't Ask, Don't Tell allowed for sexual license within the military. Apparently, the Republican candidates have had their heads in the sand so long they're completely unaware that military regulations regarding sexual harassment, conduct becoming a serviceman, and so forth and so on, have not been repealed.
Today, Santorum issued a statement saying that he did not hear the "boos" from the audience, saying " That soldier is serving our country, I thank him for his service to our country. I’m sure he’s doing an excellent job. I hope he is safe, and I hope he returns safely, and does his mission well."
A lot of people have suggested I should take Santorum at his word.
I can't.
Rick Santorum has never failed to say to a serviceman, "I thank you for your service," or, when responding to a recorded message, Santorum, to follow tradition, would have said, "I thank the soldier for his service." Just as Republicans always salute the flag, they always say "Thank you for your service."
Rick Santorum didn't. He dismissed the serviceman's service in order to address his sexuality. Leaving aside whether or not he heard the audience, because of that serviceman's stated sexual orientation, Rick Santorum denied him the respect Rick Santorum says our men and women in uniform deserve.
And that's why I can't believe Rick Santorum.
