Comments on: Discharged servicemen win discriminatory military severance pay case http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2013/01/07/52481 News, analysis and fact-checking of anti-gay rhetoric Thu, 23 May 2013 02:03:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Timothy Kincaid http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2013/01/07/52481/comment-page-1#comment-223830 Timothy Kincaid Tue, 08 Jan 2013 05:23:44 +0000 http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/?p=52481#comment-223830 The argument made by the Department of Defense was that the Secretary had sole discretion. But, of course, his boss could override such a decision and declare that those discharged under DADT prior to the statute date are SOL. Which, come to think of it is what they said in court. And as for Congressional funding... These paltry funds are more than covered in whatever discretionary service employer compensation budget is provided. We're not talking huge sums of money. I don't think Hagel HAS to extend the date, simply that it is the moral thing to do and would illustrate his new-found support. It's the sort of thing that a person who truly sees this as injustice would do (and frankly I'm shocked at Panetta - he was my Congressman many years ago and I've always had a favorable impression). But perhaps something else would serve Hagel's purpose better - maybe he could issue another statement. The argument made by the Department of Defense was that the Secretary had sole discretion. But, of course, his boss could override such a decision and declare that those discharged under DADT prior to the statute date are SOL.

Which, come to think of it is what they said in court.

And as for Congressional funding… These paltry funds are more than covered in whatever discretionary service employer compensation budget is provided. We’re not talking huge sums of money.

I don’t think Hagel HAS to extend the date, simply that it is the moral thing to do and would illustrate his new-found support. It’s the sort of thing that a person who truly sees this as injustice would do (and frankly I’m shocked at Panetta – he was my Congressman many years ago and I’ve always had a favorable impression).

But perhaps something else would serve Hagel’s purpose better – maybe he could issue another statement.

]]> By: Jim Burroway http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2013/01/07/52481/comment-page-1#comment-223806 Jim Burroway Tue, 08 Jan 2013 04:38:54 +0000 http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/?p=52481#comment-223806 Hagel wouldn't have "sole discretion," as you say. There is the small matter of Hagel's boss. And Congressional funding. Good luck with that. Hagel wouldn’t have “sole discretion,” as you say. There is the small matter of Hagel’s boss. And Congressional funding. Good luck with that.

]]> By: Edwin in Colorado http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2013/01/07/52481/comment-page-1#comment-223690 Edwin in Colorado Tue, 08 Jan 2013 01:01:14 +0000 http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/?p=52481#comment-223690 I wouldn't hold my breath on him doing that. He already has a bad reputation as far as gay people are concerned. I wouldn’t hold my breath on him doing that. He already has a bad reputation as far as gay people are concerned.

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