[blindlaw] Re Senator's Update Last Post

[Dittman, Robert]

Elizabeth ,

First I am completely happy that you were the trail blazer which I am now following.  All good points and I agree that the Coast Guard may be my best shot.

The fact is that I don't want and have never wanted to "fight" my way in but rather find a way to earn the respect and trust of enough people to have them assist me to get in.  This can work, I have always known it and have always taken steps to show it can work.  The question is if the Coast Guard, or any branch knew they could accept me, would they or are they unwilling.  If willing but unsure then I hope to convince Senator Cornyn to help convince them that this is a positive.  If unwilling then I will need the help of the American public and blind community which I hope to earn the trust of to help show that like the don't ask, don't tell restriction no longer makes sense.

We simply do not do battle like we used to and not every person in uniform has to be on the battle field.  I would join the non-military uniformed services of the United States Public Health Service if they had a JAG Corps which they do not, or the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration which are both "uniformed services" and have the same benefits well, not really the NOAA as they don't have USERA protections but then again, they don't need them as NOAA is their primary employment...

But again both of these uniformed services do not have a JAG corps so moot point there.

Anyway, I am open to any help any person is willing to help me make this work.  There was a person "Charley Brown" who offered his help when I was a 1l.  I could sure use their help now.  Again I want them to want me and work hard for them to do so. I would rather get to "Yes" than to force the issue.

Thanks for reading and I'll keep going for as long as it takes.  I started this when I was seventeen and I'm now thirty-four so I can wait a little longer.

With Respect,
Robert


Robert Dittman
Research Fellow, Center for Terrorism Law,
Jurist Doctor Candidate, St. Mary's University school of law
EMAIL: rdittman at mail.stmarytx.edu
PHONE: (210) 389 - 3388
"True Justice is blind."


-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Elizabeth Rene
Sent: Friday, May 18, 2012 7:47 PM
To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
Subject: [blindlaw] Re Senator's Update Last Post

I think that the strongest argument you have is that the Coast Guard is governed by the Department of Homeland Security, and that you've served there in uniform already.
You could distinguish your situation from that of the regular armed services (Defense Department), and neutralize some of the arguments that might be raised against admitting an already-blind person to military service.  Then you could point to the competency of those blind servicemen still active after being wounded to bolster your argument that you, too, will serve competently.

My hope would be that this way you might win the support of people who might otherwise feel politically obligated to oppose you.

Since you would probably be only the third or fourth blind person to serve in uniform, and maybe only the first to get there without first being wounded, I wonder whether a "getting to yes"strategy might not have a better chance of getting what you want.

As you point out, the Coast Guard were more open-minded than the other branches.  Maybe if the other branches don't see you as a threat (dangerous legal precedent), they won't have reason to oppose you.

Having been around during all of the "don't ask, don't tell"debate, you know how all of the arguments, subtexts, and value avowals influenced decisions. 
Maybe you could use that knowledge to inform a campaign of strategic diplomacy that would get you in and leave you breathing room to serve harmoniously day-to-day, year-to-year with your commanding officers.

Best,

Elizabeth 


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