I like this:
http://www.washingtonblade.com/...
A Hawaii Democrat introduced on Thursday new legislation in the U.S. Senate that would ensure gay veterans discharged because of their sexual orientation have the designation of “honorable” discharge on their records.
The bill, known as the Restore Honor to Service Members Act, would apply to gay veterans who were in service prior to the lifting of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in 2011, when the U.S. military expelled troops for being openly gay.
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), the chief sponsor, said “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal was “a watershed moment,” but his bill would address remaining issues for the estimated 114,000 service members expelled because of their sexual orientation since World War II.
“Yet thousands of former service members still bear the scars of that discrimination, with their military records tarnished with discharges other than honorable and marks on their records that compromise their right to privacy,” Schatz said. “Many of these brave men and women that served our country are currently barred from benefits that they earned and are entitled to, and in the most egregious cases they are prevented from legally calling themselves a veteran. This needs to be corrected now.”
Although many service members were given an “honorable” discharge from the military if they were expelled because of their sexual orientation, others were given “other than honorable,” “general discharge” or “dishonorable” discharge.
As a consequence, these former troops may be disqualified from accessing certain benefits, such as GI bill tuition assistance and veterans’ health care, and may not be able to claim veteran status. In some cases, they may be prevented from voting or have difficulty acquiring civilian employment.
Even troops who received “honorable” discharges may have difficulties in the aftermath of their service because their sexual orientation may be identified as the reason for the discharge.
Although an administrative process already exists for service members to change their records, the proposed legislation would streamline the process to ensure these designations don’t impair former members of the armed forces. - Washington Blade, 1/30/14
Schatz bill already has eighteen co-sponsors. They are Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai‘i), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Gillibrand, Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.). American Veterans for Equal Rights endorsed Schatz's bill. For more information, please contact Senator Schatz's office for more details:
(202) 224-3934
http://www.schatz.senate.gov/...
I know I've written a lot about Schatz this week but it's very important he is given a full term in the U.S. Senate. Especially with Congressman Henry Waxman (D. CA) retiring, we need a new generation of climate hawks now more than ever. In fact, Schatz worked with Waxman on climate change legislation:
Even after defeat, he still kept pushing for a climate bill. The failure of the Senate to pass any climate legislation has not stopped Waxman. Shortly after President Obama’s second term began, Waxman, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) unveiled a draft bill that would place a price on carbon. Waxman explained: “In my view a price on carbon makes sense because without it we are essentially subsidizing oil and coal — those fuels are not paying the full cost of the external damages they cause to the environment and public health.” Pricing carbon pollution does have bipartisan and broad ideological support, just not in Congress. Rep. Waxman and then-Rep. Markey penned an op-ed with two Republican Congressmen calling for a price on carbon — the catch is both of them are former Congressmen. - Think Progress, 1/30/14
And right now, Schatz is looking like the favorite in his primary battle:
http://hawaii.news.blogs.civilbeat.com/...
HAWAII (D): Appointed Sen. Brian Schatz (D) just outraised Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (D) again –$705,000 to $455,000 in the fourth quarter — and seems to be running the more complete campaign. There’s plenty of time to go before the Aug. 9 primary, but we think Schatz is at least a slight favorite to win the primary at this point.
Given that, we’re rating the Democratic primary as LEANS SCHATZ, with the winner in the Democratic tilt likely to also be victorious in the general election. Ex-Rep. Charles Djou (R), a credible Republican candidate, is mentioned as a possible general election challenger, but he has yet to actually enter the race. - Sabato's Crystal ball, 1/30/14
Lets make sure Schatz wins his party's nominee by getting involved and donating to Schatz's campaign:
http://brianschatz.com/