Looks like the military is going to have to be dragged kicking and screaming

[NJmaverick]

Into a just world. These arguments are probably recycled from the way the military shouldn't be integrated files. For a force that is suppose to be protecting our rights and freedoms they sure don't act like they believe in them.:mad:

WASHINGTON – Lawyers for the nation's top military officer are recommending holding off on an internal Pentagon effort that could lead to the repeal of the ban on openly gay military service. The delay could push a decision by Congress to the middle of the next presidential election.

Other advisers at the Pentagon, however, argue that lifting the ban would not cause unmanageable problems or divisions among the uniformed military, according to two U.S. officials. They discussed internal conversations about the ban on condition of anonymity.

"Now is not the time," the in-house legal counsel for Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, wrote recently in a memorandum obtained by The Associated Press. "The importance of winning the wars we are in, along with the stress on the force, our body of knowledge and the number of unknowns, demand that we act with deliberation."

Mullen received the conflicting advice this month about whether to move quickly to lift the 1993 ban, and it is not clear what he will recommend to President Barack Obama. Although allowing gays to serve openly in the military was one of Obama's campaign promises, the issue was put on a back burner during his first year in office. Some liberal supporters and several congressional Democrats are pushing for action

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100114/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_gays_in_military

[StarfarerBill]

1. Old scapegoating habits die hard. K&R

[11 Bravo]

2. As a personal favor, when you say "the military" could you please separate grunts from the brass?

Trust me, we didn't give a damn. If you could put out rounds when the shit hit the fan, you were welcome in any fighting hole.

[14thColony]

3. Agreed.

I know of very few I serve with who care in the slightest.

[Captain Hilts]

5. Submariners - even retired old cranks - don't care about gay submariners. They really don't.

You shower by yourself and pee by yourself. It's just not an issue. Even to the most conservative among them.

[NJmaverick]

9. When I use the term military I am referring to the brass

but I will clarify in the future

[PacerLJ35]

4. Policy on this is set by the civilian leadership of the DoD and the Executive branch...

Not by ordinary military folks. It's a public law, not something that even a general can change. This requires action by the DoD, White House and Congress. Many people I know in the military either don't care if gays serve in the military or support gays serving in the military. There are others that oppose it, but if the law is changed they won't have a choice whether they support it or not. They can either support the laws and policies set by Congress and the CinC or they can resign.

[Captain Hilts]

6. Right. If the president wants it, he has to push for it. nt

[LooseWilly]

7. And that 'If' is clearly the question.

Given that most who would oppose the repeal of DADT will probably hate the President no matter what he does... I would think taking action in order to re-cement support with the base would be a sensible political move... not to mention upholding equal Civil Rights being a good thing in and of itself.

Apparently the Democratic Party thinkers aren't as progressive as the citizens of Iowa though...

[NJmaverick]

8. The policy is that Congress takes up the issue at the end of the month

what bothers me is that this military lawyer is pushing to keep the archaic law.

[PacerLJ35]

10. In the end, Congress and the president can still pass the law

As far as I know, military lawyers and the JCS chairmen do not have the authority to make laws. They can make recommendations, but if Congress and the president want it another way, they can make it so.

[NJmaverick]

12. That's correct but my original point is I am not happy with the recommendation

that was discussed in the article.

[PacerLJ35]

14. It's just a recommendation

Like I said, Congress and the Executive could make that recommendation moot if they wanted to.

[Hekate]

11. It's past time for the civilians who can make this change to actually DO IT.

I understand if Obama doesn't want to abolish DADT via executive order, if that means the next Repub in office can overrule it the same way. And I understand he's been really, really busy multitasking. But this definitely needs to be on the agenda SOON.

Hekate

[NJmaverick]

13. This topic is going to be addressed at the end of the month

according to what I have read

[Hekate]

15. I'm very glad to hear it. nt