Press Release

Email Press Release January 19, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact Information: 
John Aravosis, 202/328-5707
Barbara Bode, 202/588-9598

January 19, 1998 3:00PM EST 
Navy "Pigheadedness" Violates "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," Author of Policy Says
Delay Sailor's Discharge, He Adds

Dr. Charles Moskos, the author of the original "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, said on National Public Radio's "Talk of the Nation" this afternoon that if the Navy violated federal privacy law in obtaining key online information about Senior Chief Timothy McVeigh, the case against McVeigh should be dropped.  In addition, Dr. Moskos said that McVeigh's imminent discharge should be delayed, pending the results of a full investigation of how DOD investigators handled themselves, and he expressed concerns about the Navy's "pigheadedness" in investigating McVeigh.

When asked by caller John of Washington, DC "If the navy violated federal privacy law in obtaining key evidence in this case, then shouldn't the Navy drop the case and send a clear signal that this kind of thing wont be tolerated?", Moskos answered "Yes, I think the military has to watch that it doesn't inadvertently undermine dont ask dont tell.  The threat to the policy is now coming from the Armed Forces' pigheadedness on enforcing it."
John then asked Moskos "shouldn't the military hold off on the discharge until we resolve all these issues?"  Dr. Moskos repsonded: "I would agree."  Moskos reiterated his concern that "pigheaded enforcement of this rule is going to undermine 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'" 

Dr. Moskos, of Northwestern University, testified at the original "Gays in the Military" hearings back in 1993, chaired by Sen. Sam Nunn (D-GA).  Moskos is widely known to be the author of the current "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

"Even the guy who wrote the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy thinks the case should be dropped," said John Aravosis, a lawyer and Internet consultant working with Mr. McVeigh.  "Moskos said very clearly that the military should not discharge McVeigh until there's been a thorough investigation of the Navy's actions in this case."

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