Edie Disler, Air Force Academy Professor, Disciplined For "Don't Ask Don't Tell" Discussion

A professor at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Edie Disler, alleges that she has been disciplined for inviting gay Academy graduates to speak to her class about the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

From the AP:

Edie Disler said she was given a "letter of counseling" stating she should have gotten her department head's approval beforehand. Disler said there was no such requirement in place at the time. Disler said her punishment was meant to "send a strong message to the faculty that this topic will not be discussed by someone in uniform."

In July, the Air Force Academy named Colorado Congressman Jared Polis the first openly gay member of its oversight board, in what was reported to have been a sign of a more open stance toward gays at the military college.

The AP Reported:

A sign gays may be inching closer to acceptance in the military: the U.S. Air Force Academy is welcoming its first openly gay member of its oversight board.

Comments

[JohnHKennedy]

Obama must end the "Don't Ask-Don't Tell policy" by executive decree. Truman did it when he integrated the military.

I think Obama will do it within the next six months IF WE Push him a bit.

And push him to Prosecute all those in the Bush-Cheney Torture Conspiracy.

SIGN THE PETITION calling for Prosecution at
http://ANGRYVOTERS.ORG
.

[zetaetatheta]

Maybe if she taught how to sexually abuse someone and beat up a queer she would have been commended.

[bnewmiller]

I'm quite certain such activity would not bring a commendation. While policies at the Academy with regard to accepting and respecting homosexuals fall short (like those at most of our institutions) it is not run by neanderthals. It is capable of progressive change and people like Edie, who have the insight to see the positive potential all possess, will move it in the right direction.

[bnewmiller]

I teach at the Air Force Academy and have a deep affection for the place and those who work there. Among those I most admire is Edie Disler whom I've known for over 15 years, long enough to have been privileged to speak at her Air Force retirement. What she did that day--spurring an open discussion about an issue that is of great importance within the national defense community--is absolutely commendable. That she was punished for it, makes it one of the lowest points for me in my quarter century of service as a faculty member at the Air Force Academy.

[NoSillyName]

Gee, the Air Force Academy? Who'da thunk it?

That bastion of Militaristic Christian Indoctrination needs a serious overhaul.

[manndan]

Be afraid. Be very afraid. These people are Hellbent on doing whatever they can to hasten Armageddon.

[NoSillyName]

You're right. It is scary that these fanatics are in charge.

[lippylaroux]

This is only one of the reasons military morale is suffering.... I remember when Bush started making social changes to the Navy it was not well received. Boot camp became a joke and then when Clinton took over we had all this sensitivity crap and political correctness crap.... It has really run down the effectiveness of our military. We dont need these kind of distractions and disruptions like pregnancies and harrassment issues when we introduced women to combat ships and the dont ask policies. The military does not exsist to be a social experiment for the liberals; it is to protect this nation from our enemies.. That is all...And we have done a great job in the last century doing just that... Don't try to change it.

[dynwit]

Your righteous indignation on behalf of our nation's military is seriously contradicted by the fact that for more than a year, the generals themselves have been asking for the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy:

"ANNAPOLIS, Md. - More than 100 retired generals and admirals called Monday for repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays, and to permit gays to serve openly, according to a statement obtained by The Associated Press."

http://www.military.com/news/article/retired-leaders-hit-dont-ask-policy.html

[dickdata]

The whole thing started with that Democrat Truman letting the blacks serve the same as white. The military should be all white male, except for waiters and mess boys.

The Air Force Academy is the center of evagelical-based racism and bigotry. It should be re-name the Air Force Evangelical Christian Academy for Whites Only. Of course you could argue that the "evangelical Christian" implies white supremcy.

[HowdyDoody]

Agreed!! The AF Academy should be cleaned out, top to bottom, and re-started with all new commanders and staff.

When did it go wrong like this? I always thought it was a terrific place for young people, but now it's totally off the tracks. This evangelical stuff is seriously harming our national security and undermining our military.

[hypnotoad72]

Well, aren't soldiers trained to obey orders and not impregnate every woman they find? Who's ordering them to go around knocking women up?!! Never mind the horrors of harassment...

That isn't sensitivity. That's consistency, chivalry, and civility. BECAUSE DEFENDING OUR COUNTRY REQUIRES THOSE THINGS. And those are concepts many conservatives AND liberals share. So if you have a problem with those, go join Rush and his merry men of taliban he's now supporting... http://blogs.venturacountystar.com/mlakin/archives/2009/10/rush-limbaugh-aligns-himself-w.html

What next, you thinking that Paul Wellstone told Lyddie England to do what she did??? :puke:

[Smirk]

Evidently, they should change the name to "don't ask, don't tell, don't discuss."

[militantlibrarian]

Academic freedom at a military academy? Contradiction in terms . . . . .