Stung by National Guardsman firing governor’s staff stumbles on ‘don’t ask’
Stung by National Guardsman firing governor’s staff stumbles on ‘don’t ask’
By Gary Barlow Staff writer
Copyright by The Chicago Free Press
Controversy continued to surround the “don’t ask, don’t tell” discharge of an Illinois Air National Guardsman last week as a top aide to Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) told the Associated Press that the governor is “OK” with the military’s anti-gay policy.
“He doesn’t have a problem with it,” Deputy Gov. Bradley Tusk said. “I think he’s OK with it, as President Clinton was.”
That contradicted other statements from a Blagojevich aide, who told CFP May 4 that Blagojevich opposes the policy.
“Unfortunately, federal law requires this policy, and the governor opposes it,” said Blagojevich spokeswoman Cheryle Jackson.
Gay leaders also said they were surprised by Tusk’s statement.
“(Blagojevich) has a long record of opposing ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’” gay activist Rick Garcia said.
Jackson wouldn’t criticize or correct Tusk’s statement May 12, saying only that the anti-gay policy is “not something the governor can change.”
Tusk’s reference to Clinton is not fully accurate; the former president strongly criticized the policy in 2000, shortly before he left office, and has been critical of it ever since, saying Senate conservatives forced him to accept it as a compromise after he signaled his intent to end the military’s ban on gays in 1993.
“The deputy governor’s comment betrays his ignorance. President Clinton vigorously opposed ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’” said Illinois’ only openly gay legislator, Rep. Larry McKeon (D-Chicago).
The controversy erupted after SSgt. Marty Dwyer was booted from the ANG’s 183rd Fighter Wing, based in Springfield. Dwyer was discharged following his superiors’ investigation into a report that Dwyer had posted a profile on Gay.com.
McKeon has been highly critical of Dwyer’s discharge, saying a post on a gay Internet site is not supposed to spur an investigation by the military. McKeon also says Dwyer should not have been fired from his fulltime job as head of the 183rd’s security training, or should have been offered another fulltime job with the State Department of Military Affairs if the training job required him to maintain active Guard status.
Jackson said May 13 that it apparently did.
“It’s a fully federally funded position,” she said.
Dwyer was discharged in February after serving 13 years in the Guard.
“This guy was inappropriately discharged and kicked out of the Air National Guard,” McKeon said. “He was wrongfully terminated from state government. ÉIf you look at his record, his performance evaluations, if you look at his awards and recommendations, this guy was a stellar, highly valued member of the military department. There are a ton of jobs out there that this guy is qualified for.”
Jackson confirmed May 12 that the governor sent a request for an advisory opinion to Ill. Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office May 4, asking whether there are grounds for Blagojevich to challenge Dwyer’s discharge.
“If it was handled improperly, maybe we can fix that,” Jackson said.
Dwyer has filed a complaint with the Illinois Department of Human Rights, alleging that because the Illinois Human Rights Act bans discrimination based on sexual orientation, he was wrongfully fired from his fulltime ANG job. That law was passed early last year with Blagojevich’s backing.
McKeon was highly critical of the way Dwyer’s case has been handled.
“I’ve known this governor for 15 years,” McKeon said. “I know his commitment to human rights, but he’s surrounded himself with people who just don’t get it. It’s really sad that this kind of shoddy staff work is allowed to continue with the governor’s inner circle.”
By Gary Barlow Staff writer
Copyright by The Chicago Free Press
Controversy continued to surround the “don’t ask, don’t tell” discharge of an Illinois Air National Guardsman last week as a top aide to Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) told the Associated Press that the governor is “OK” with the military’s anti-gay policy.
“He doesn’t have a problem with it,” Deputy Gov. Bradley Tusk said. “I think he’s OK with it, as President Clinton was.”
That contradicted other statements from a Blagojevich aide, who told CFP May 4 that Blagojevich opposes the policy.
“Unfortunately, federal law requires this policy, and the governor opposes it,” said Blagojevich spokeswoman Cheryle Jackson.
Gay leaders also said they were surprised by Tusk’s statement.
“(Blagojevich) has a long record of opposing ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’” gay activist Rick Garcia said.
Jackson wouldn’t criticize or correct Tusk’s statement May 12, saying only that the anti-gay policy is “not something the governor can change.”
Tusk’s reference to Clinton is not fully accurate; the former president strongly criticized the policy in 2000, shortly before he left office, and has been critical of it ever since, saying Senate conservatives forced him to accept it as a compromise after he signaled his intent to end the military’s ban on gays in 1993.
“The deputy governor’s comment betrays his ignorance. President Clinton vigorously opposed ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’” said Illinois’ only openly gay legislator, Rep. Larry McKeon (D-Chicago).
The controversy erupted after SSgt. Marty Dwyer was booted from the ANG’s 183rd Fighter Wing, based in Springfield. Dwyer was discharged following his superiors’ investigation into a report that Dwyer had posted a profile on Gay.com.
McKeon has been highly critical of Dwyer’s discharge, saying a post on a gay Internet site is not supposed to spur an investigation by the military. McKeon also says Dwyer should not have been fired from his fulltime job as head of the 183rd’s security training, or should have been offered another fulltime job with the State Department of Military Affairs if the training job required him to maintain active Guard status.
Jackson said May 13 that it apparently did.
“It’s a fully federally funded position,” she said.
Dwyer was discharged in February after serving 13 years in the Guard.
“This guy was inappropriately discharged and kicked out of the Air National Guard,” McKeon said. “He was wrongfully terminated from state government. ÉIf you look at his record, his performance evaluations, if you look at his awards and recommendations, this guy was a stellar, highly valued member of the military department. There are a ton of jobs out there that this guy is qualified for.”
Jackson confirmed May 12 that the governor sent a request for an advisory opinion to Ill. Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office May 4, asking whether there are grounds for Blagojevich to challenge Dwyer’s discharge.
“If it was handled improperly, maybe we can fix that,” Jackson said.
Dwyer has filed a complaint with the Illinois Department of Human Rights, alleging that because the Illinois Human Rights Act bans discrimination based on sexual orientation, he was wrongfully fired from his fulltime ANG job. That law was passed early last year with Blagojevich’s backing.
McKeon was highly critical of the way Dwyer’s case has been handled.
“I’ve known this governor for 15 years,” McKeon said. “I know his commitment to human rights, but he’s surrounded himself with people who just don’t get it. It’s really sad that this kind of shoddy staff work is allowed to continue with the governor’s inner circle.”
posted by Carlos T Mock at 3:56 PM
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