Pentagon study: Gays could serve with no harm

[deminks]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON – The Pentagon study that argues that gay troops could serve openly without hurting the military's ability to fight is expected to re-ignite debate this month on Capitol Hill over repealing the 17-year-old "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Officials familiar with the 10-month study's results have said a clear majority of respondents don't care if gays serve openly, with 70 percent predicting that lifting the ban would have positive, mixed or no results. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the findings hadn't been released.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen, who have both said they support repealing the law, were scheduled to discuss the findings with Congress Tuesday morning and with reporters Tuesday afternoon.

Republicans, led by Sen. John McCain of Arizona, have mostly opposed repealing the law because they say efforts to do so are politically driven and dangerous at a time of two wars.

"This was a political promise made by an inexperienced president or candidate for presidency of the United States," McCain told CNN's "State of the Union" last weekend.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101130/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_gays_in_military

---

OK, so here's the study. This should end debate, not re-ignite it. Now, repeal DADT. Now.

[Skittles]

1. that article title should say OPENLY serve

because gay folk already DO "serve with no harm"

[No Elephants]

4. Yep. AP. A journalistic turd heap, pretending to be objective. Worse than FOX.

[SkyDaddy7]

6. Really? Worse than FOX? Seriously?

If you trulyy believe that then don't bother replying because there is no need unless you can prove it which you can't! The wording may not be correct but the AP is no where near as bad as FOX.

[Demstud]

10. Yeah a ridiculous reaction

The fact that it says openly serve in the very first sentence shows it as a pretty simple oversight. Someone just didn't put enough thought in the title.

[Odin2005]

13. I think he means that hidden bias is worse than overt bias.

[Skittles]

14. CORRECT

[deminks]

2. Also, this is another example of a (gasp) LEAK to the press.

[xchrom]

3. could? -- why thank you, mighty generous of you.

since we been doin it already and all.

[No Elephants]

5. Homophobic Jim Crow laws harm America as a whole, and especially--but not only--GLBT Americans.

[rasputin1952]

7. Gays have served in the military since it's inception...

They have been side by side with straight members time after time, fighting just as bravely, taking casualties and dying; being awarded decorations for bravery when warranted and there is no correlation between gays and the services not being able to perform their missions.

I have said a hundred times that this straight vet doesn't give a damn about one's sexual orientation while serving this country. The only situation that matters is if the soldier, sailor, airman or marine can perform their duties, shoot straight, plot a target, treat a wounded service-member, cook a decent meal, make sure the supplies necessary are delivered on time and in enough quantity, keep the birds flying and a host of other military necessities that ensure success of the missions.

When I served, it was "ask and tell", the 3rd question at any physical was, "have you ever been engaged in homosexual behavior?", both straights and gays would answer no, (if you wished to serve), and that was that. Many gays lied overtly so they could serve, because they wanted to serve their nation, there is absolutely no reason to think that gays cannot perform their duties as prescribed, and many did so with remarkable distinction and integrity, being awarded some of the nation's highest honors. To be under the shadow of a potential discharge was a burden they should never have to face.

When you are out on patrol or in a parfox at a listening post, what you are worried about is if the individual w/you can shoot straight and will not run at the first shot. Individuals are counted upon to be there for each other, I cannot recall any time when a gay soldier did not stand and fight, outmaneuver and out flank a position or run from a fight because they were gay. Scared, damn straight, but so is a straight soldier. Ones sexual orientation has absolutely nothing to do with the ability to accomplish the mission.

There are no statistics concerning gay members and awards, but I am willing to bet that a few of the thousands of Medals of Honor went to gay service-members, same thing goes for the Navy and Distinguished Service Crosses. I do know of one gay member that received a Silver Start, and numerous individuals receiving Bronze Stars and lesser awards. Sexual orientation had nothing to do with their performance, they performed bravely and were awarded these medals and decorations by a grateful nation and military. It is in the military's best interests to accept the fact that gays and lesbians serve with just as much patriotism, honor and integrity as any other citizen.

[FLSurfer]

8. Another case of,

"This just in.....Water is wet."

[obxhead]

9. duh. eom

[Lucinda]

11. I wonder how much this study to prove the obvious cost...n/t

[Crowman1979]

12. The only ones in the way are the homophobic generals.

I don't give a damn how many years they have in or if they served in combat. It does not make their word infallible. WTF is wrong with our damn media? They are too chickenshit to question these relics in uniform.

[TomCADem]

15. Pentagon calls for repeal of ‘don’t ask’

Source: Boston Globe

WASHINGTON — Ending a ban on gays serving openly in the armed services would not harm long-term military effectiveness, the Pentagon said yesterday in a long-awaited report that is expected to speed a vote on the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell’’ policy.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates warned Congress that failure to quickly repeal the ban would expose the military to a potentially disruptive court ruling.

“It is only a matter of time before the federal courts are drawn once more into the fray, with the very real possibility that this change would be imposed immediately by judicial fiat,’’ he said, calling that “by far the most disruptive and damaging scenario I can imagine, and the one most hazardous to military morale, readiness, and battlefield performance.’’

That call shifted the focus to moderate members of the Senate, including Scott Brown of Massachusetts, who had said they wanted to read the report before voting on whether to end the policy. The House has passed a bill overturning the policy, but a Republican-led threat of a filibuster halted a similar effort in the Senate in the fall.


Read more: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2010/12/01/pentagon_calls_for_repeal_of__dont_ask_dont_tell/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Top+political+stories

---

You would hope that this would put pressure on Republicans who oppose repeal to justify their bigotry, but I think the corporate media will just give Republicans a free pass.

[sat110]

16. It would be nice

I think our military would actually be stronger
if this gets repelled but I don't think it will.

I believe this is just a sharade Obama has basically
a republican administration including a republican
Defense secretary named Gates, do you really think
he means what he is saying publicly?

But I would be pleasantly surprised if it were

TP

[defendandprotect]

17. Obama should be out calling for repeal .... but Repugs will bury this first chance they get ....

and probably put a new study in motion!!

:evilgrin:

[Hissyspit]

18. BREAKING: Military Can Safely End Ban on Gays: Study ("Even in Time of War")

Source: Reuters

Military can safely end ban on gays: study

By Phil Stewart and Ross Colvin – 10 mins ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A repeal of the Pentagon's ban on openly serving gays can be implemented now, even in wartime, with little risk to the military's ability to do its job, according to a Defense Department study released on Tuesday.

The results of the study dismissed or minimized concerns raised in Congress and some quarters of the military against President Barack Obama's plans to repeal the 17-year-old "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy -- hopefully by the end of the year. "We are both convinced that our military can do this, even during this time of war," concluded study authors Army General Carter Ham and Defense Department General Counsel Jeh Johnson.

- snip -

The study noted the U.S. military had faced far stronger resistance to racial integration in the 1940s and 1950s, when the armed forces were emerging from World War Two and in the midst of Cold War tensions and the Korean War. "But by 1953, 95 percent of all African-American soldiers were serving in racially integrated units, while public buses in Montgomery, Alabama, and other cities were still racially segregated," the study said.

In contrast, the survey of just over 115,000 troops on ending the ban on gays showed a solid majority did not believe repeal would affect their ability to do their jobs. Some 69 percent believed they had already worked with a homosexual.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101130/ts_nm/us_usa_military_gays

---

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/11/30/131699730/-don-t-ask-repeal-would-not-be-wrenching-gates-says?ft=1&f=1001&sc=tw&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

'Don't Ask' Repeal Would Not Be 'Wrenching,' Gates Says

Pentagon's Report Posted HERE: http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2010/0610_gatesdadt/

TWEET from Markos Moulitsas:

@markos
Markos Moulitsas
Funny how the chickenhawks who never served are hysterical about #DADT repeal, when the ACTUAL troops don't give a shit.
19 seconds ago via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet Reply

[rocktivity]

19. CAN be implemented in a time of war? It SHOULD!!!

The LAST thing we should be doing is kicking people out who don't have to be!!!

:crazy:
rocktivity

[La Lioness Priyanka]

20. i am sure the repubs will want another study. esp mccain.

apparently 3 or so large scale studies is not good enough

[msanthrope]

21. Okay--so now the Senate has the answer to the 'findings' within

DADT.

Schedule a repeal vote.

[Zoeisright]

22. Duh!

Why is this even an issue? Is this country really that stupid?

[The Wielding Truth]

24. If the generals say it is a non issue and the Pres. is the C.I.C. then

why do they need congress to decide what to do?

[Tx4obama]

26. DADT was passed by the Congress, therefore Congress needs to vote on the repeal. n/t

[Tx4obama]

23. DADT hearings start this Thursday

November 24th, 2010

(CNN) – The Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday announced two days of hearings on the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

On the first day, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen will testify. The service chiefs will appear on the second day.

The hearings will come two days after the Pentagon releases its report on the impact of a repeal of the policy on the military. The authors of the study will appear on the first day of hearings.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/24/%E2%80%98don%E2%80%99t-ask-don%E2%80%99t-tell%E2%80%99-hearings-scheduled/

More 'detailed' info here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/24/stage-and-hearings-set-fo_n_788026.html

[happygoluckytoyou]

25. GAY AGENDA... 9am breakfast 10am enlist 11am fabulous march over to the px,noon lunch with the boys.

it works for me

[annabanana]

27. Well HELL!..Get to it then! Lickety Split there fellas.. . n/t

[uppityperson]

28. k&r, here are bits from summary

OP http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=9658086&mesg_id=9658086
link to report is in post #3, NOT OP

I replied with some pertinent bits from the report.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

29. Leave it to the Washington Times ...

to grasp desperately for any straw it can find to defend its rapidly eroding position.

Front-line fighters wary of repealing 'don't ask'

By Rowan Scarborough - The Washington Times
Published 8:23 p.m. November 30, 2010

U.S. combat forces have voiced strong reservations about the effects on readiness of allowing open gays in the ranks, the Pentagon said Tuesday in a report that is likely to influence a Senate vote on whether to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, in releasing a study he ordered to meet President Obama's directive to end the ban on gays in the military, disclosed that the chiefs of the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Army disagree with the report's conclusion that the impact on combat readiness would be "low."

Nearly 60 percent of Army and Marine Corps warriors said open homosexuals in the ranks would damage war-fighting capabilities, the study found.

"For this reason, the uniformed service chiefs are less sanguine than the working group about the level of risk of repeal with regard to combat readiness," said Mr. Gates, who supports repeal, as does Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

© Copyright 2010 The Washington Times, LLC.