Gibbs Pressed Again on DADT

[t0dd]

The Advocate
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid84348.asp

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs met again Friday with several questions from the White House press corps about the military's continued policy of dismissing openly gay service members. Gibbs faced similar questioning on the matter during Tuesday’s briefing as well.

The first questioner Friday lumped President Obama's failure thus far to address the gay ban into a group of other pledges that the president has changed course on, such as his decision this week not to release the photos of detainee abuse. In other words, some in the mainstream press are starting to view the president's inaction on "don't ask, don't tell" as the reversal of a campaign promise. Gibbs avoided answering the DADT piece of that inquiry by responding to the question more broadly.

But the second questioner was more precise.

Q: The president said that releasing the detainee photos poses a danger to our troops, but doesn't dismissing otherwise qualified soldiers pose a danger. Is it a question of degree?

Gibbs: What I talked about in terms of "dont' ask, don't tell" was, the president -- the president, as you know, supports changing that because he strongly believes that it does not serve our national interests. He agrees with former members of the Joint Chiefs in that determination.

But unlike the photos, the, the only durable solution to "don't ask, don't tell" is through the legislative process, and the president is working with Congress and the members of the Joint Chiefs to ensure that that happens.

Q: But couldn't he, in the meantime, put a moratorium on these discharges until that can be accomplished.

Gibbs: But again, the president's determined that that's not… that is… that's not the way to seek any sort of lasting or durable solution to the public policy problem that we have.

Q: How do you respond to the criticism though that dismissing qualified linguists endangers the troops?

Gibbs: I would, I would… I think, I would respond by saying that the president has long believed that the policy does not serve our national interests.

What pathetic responses to a policy that is damaging our military effectiveness and ruining people's lives! Don't believe a lot of people on this site. Obama isn't helpless. He, as Commander in Chief, can stop the discharging of openly gay and lesbian service members NOW. http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/10924/report-obama-can-stop-the-discharge-of-openly-gay-and-lesbian-service-members-now

[Starry Messenger]

1. I posted the video.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x312871

I'm pretty sad today. I'm straight, but for me gay rights are like the canary in a coalmine. This isn't looking good.

[t0dd]

2. Thanks for your support

As mentioned in one of your posts, it is depressing Gibbs is using the new White House language on "changing" DADT. Whatever the hell that means. And why isn't his commitment to repeal DOMA listed on the site anymore either?? :mad:

[Lex]

3. "the president's determined that that's not… that is… that's not . . . "

stutter, stutter, fumble, fail

[plantwomyn]

4. I knew this would happen.

Obama said just enough of what we wanted to hear to get our vote. PERIOD. Why are any of you surprised that he is sending us to the back of the bus, or is he throwing us under it? Why didn't all of you question the fact that he stood on religious conviction for his reasoning for civil unions vs. marriage. What happened to questioning his understanding of the Constitution? Too late now. Too many of us gave him a pass. Those that did should stop whining about him taking advantage of our vote. Those of us who questioned his stand knew he would. THEY always have and they always will until we JUST SAY NO. No more money, no more volunteering, no more votes. NO!

[Toasterlad]

5. Many Of Us DID Question Obama.

I'm going to assume by your post count that you missed all the anti-Obama ranting during the Clurkin fiasco, possibly again at the Warren fiasco. There are a large number of GLBT people here on this site and elsewhere who believed that Obama was not interested in advancing the causes of gay people. It doesn't matter why the others bought into Obama's empty promises, it only matters that they are now realizing that he's full of shit. NOW we have a chance to stand united and demand more from our elected officials. All we have to do is stay strong and committed.

[plantwomyn]

7. I was here.

And I was one of those that Obama supporters told to shut the fuck up. I had to leave until after the primary. I am a Democrat, I am not a sheep. I wrote candidate Obama a letter, sent it to his Senate office, his website and posted it here. No answer. Not from him and not from any DUer either. No one wanted to hear about it and it pissed off many here that I had the "audacity" to demand Obama count me as a full fledged citizen. I voted for him. But I knew he wouldn't come through for us. He made me smile and the reaction he inspired from others did too. But I wasn't teary eyed, or under any dilusion that he was going to stand up for what is right. Maybe for others but not for us. Now I have doubts if he will stand up for what is right for anyone.

[bluedawg12]

6. Channeling Ari Fleischer real well. n/t