Published:
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
This morning, a co-worker sent around an amazing video clip from last night. Not being a late-night television watcher, I missed the earth-shaking revelation that it shows.
Bill O’Reilly (an avowed believer that the ACLU is terrorist organization) and the ACLU agreed on something!
I know, I’m as shocked as you may be. But, when the government has as foolish a policy as Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, it’s hard to disagree.
During the interview Jay Leno brought up the recent discharge of Lieutenant Daniel Choi, (Arabic linguist, Iraq veteran, West Point graduate and Infantry officer and DADT activist). O’Reilly spoke out about Choi’s dismissal, stating Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is “just not fair” and that Obama “should stop this nonsense.”
O'Reilly's public pronouncement is timely for the ACLU of Washington, which is currently preparing for a September trial in Witt v. Air Force. We're representing Major Margaret Witt, a much-decorated Air Force flight nurse, who was discharged in 2007 under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
In California, another federal case, Log Cabin Republicans v. the United States, challenging the constitutionality of DADT has just concluded trial; a ruling could come any day. The Log Cabin Republicans claim that DADT is unconstitutional under the First Amendment and that DADT violates due process.
Right now, I feel comforted. Having such an outspoken media figure -- one not known as a champion of civil liberties causes -- openly on board with the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell strikes me as really cool.
No one should ever have to hide who they are, or in this instance, what they think.
Watch the clip below.
Please note that by playing this clip NBC.com may place a long-term cookie on your computer. Please see NBC.com's privacy statement on their website to learn more.
Explore More:
