Fox 8 story on Right to Serve in Greensboro (update #2)
Fox 8 WGHP aired their story on the Soulforce Right to Serve (official website & local information) tonight during their 6pm broadcast.
Here is the link to the story on Fox 8’s website (with video now!) (Reported by Janice Caron Myers). The video that aired on Sunday was better, I have to say. The video on the site now is from 5:00am Monday. The Sunday night newscast included comments from Congressmen Mel Watt and Howard Coble (discussed below).
For the mean time, hop on over to Fox 8 Reporter Caron Myers’ blog, “Should they Serve?” and comment away.
I do have one question I’d like to address here, though. Mrs. Myers interviewed both Congressman Mel Watt and Congressman Howard Coble for the story. Congressman Watt said he was “never a big fan of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Congressman Coble said he’d have absolutely no problem with me serving as an openly gay American. Both of them said it on camera, so why haven’t they yet signed up to be co-sponsors of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (HR 1059), the bill which would repeal D.A.D.T. currently being considered in the House (with only 121 co-sponsors so far)?
Congressman Brad Miller is the only member of North Carolina’s Congressional Delegation who has signed up as a co-sponsor of the bill. Congressman Miller is telling me, my friend Jessica and every lesbian, gay and bisexual American and North Carolinian that our sexual orientation and honesty is no bar to military service. He supports us fully. If both Congressman Watt and Congressman Coble see no problem in me serving, then why don’t they co-sponsor the bill? Seems like an easy thing to do after going on camera and offering your support for an openly gay American wanting to join the military, right?
And what about our other Congressional representatives? What about Virginia Foxx (my representative in the 5th District), Patrick McHenry, Sue Myrick, David Price, Walter Jones, Robin Hayes, Charles Taylor, GK Butterfield, Bob Etheridge and Mike McIntyre? Why haven’t they signed up to be co-sponsors, yet? Do they just simply do not know about HR 1059 or do they just not support my right to serve openly and honestly?
If you live in Greensboro or anywhere in North Carolina and you are interested in finding out how you can get involved in an effort to bring focus to the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy this fall, check out the Right to Serve Campaign at the official website, http://www.righttoserve.org as well as MattHillNC.com’s Soulforce Youth page (you can also make a donation to the Greensboro Campaign event via the Right to Serve Greensboro site)
Technorati Tags: Soulforce, Right to Serve, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, Army, Military, sit-in, Greensboro, North Carolina, Mel Watt, Howard Coble
About the Author: Matt
3 Responses to “Fox 8 story on Right to Serve in Greensboro (update #2)”
Hey Matt,
Just wanted you to know that I voiced my opinion at the reporter’s blog… here is what I had to say:
Keep up the GREAT WORK!
Brandon Greeson
Assistant Exec Director
North Carolina Advocacy Coalition
http://www.ncadvocacycoalition.org
By Brandon Greeson on Sep 17, 2006
Thanks Brandon. Great comment. It is good to know we have your support in this national Campaign. I hope you’ll keep up with what is happening through both my blog and the local media.
By Matt on Sep 17, 2006
Bob votes the way his constituents think…I know, I can’t believe there’s actually a politician that does that either! lol. He may not feel its a strong issue back home, but I will definitely shoot him an email and get some of my other friends from his district to let him know how we feel!
By Natasha on Sep 18, 2006