Ask Obama About Don't Ask, Don't Tell -- Gay voters are growing impatient for equality.

[jefferson_dem]

I stand with the critics. It's past time...

Ask Obama About Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Gay voters are growing impatient for equality.
By RICHARD SOCARIDES

As a candidate for president, Barack Obama told the country's leading gay rights group, the Human Rights Campaign, "America is ready to get rid of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. All that is required is leadership." Now he is about to decide whether he will make good on his promise to end what he called a "policy of discrimination."

His decision will come soon because Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen are set to testify at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee on the policy—the first of its kind since the law was enacted in 1993.

Most administration observers who follow this closely believe that the Pentagon has already signed off on supporting an end to Don't Ask, Don't Tell once the White House decides the timing is right. But Messrs. Gates and Mullen have yet to say so publicly. Their upcoming testimony is the result of pressure from New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat, who last year called for legislation that would have placed a moratorium on gay military discharges.

Many question why the White House avoided dealing with Don't Ask, Don't Tell last year, when Democrats had big majorities in Congress and polls showed that a majority of Americans favor changing the policy. A Quinnipiac poll in April, for example, found that 56% of Americans support repealing the policy.

A big part of the reason why the White House hesitated is fear of a backlash similar to the one suffered by President Bill Clinton in 1993 when he tried to allow gays to serve openly in the military. Recently we saw the potential beginning of an antigay fear campaign—much like the one in 1993 when then Sen. Sam Nunn (D., Ga.) was leading the charge—in the form of a leaked memo from a legal adviser to Mr. Mullen. The legal adviser opined that "now is not the time" to lift the ban because of "the importance of winning the wars we are in." Also, the New York Times reported recently that the Pentagon had begun considering "the practical implications of a repeal—for example, whether it would be necessary to change shower facilities and locker rooms because of privacy concerns."

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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704375604575023134251017648.html

[Smashcut]

1. "Gates and Mullen have yet to say so publicly"

Haven't they both (I know Mullen for sure) indicated they don't support repeal "at this time" (huge :eyes: for that)

If they testify to that effect Obama needs to STAND UP to them and do what's right. It's long past time for repeal and more dilatory tactics are absolutely inexcusable.

Edit: I see it was an adviser to Mullen and not Mullen himself who said the above.

[jesus_of_suburbia]

2. It needs to happen soon. No excuses. UK and many other militaries already have gays serving.

[dsc]

3. I would be amazed if this passed in an election year

I hope it does but can't see any way for it to happen. I think ENDA is more likely.

[whistler162]

4. Where's the bill???

It is upto Congress to pass a bill so the President, NOTE HE IS NOT A DICTATOR, to sign into law!

But to many talking heads ignore that factoid!

[dsc]

6. actually the author of the piece, who just happens to be the man who came up with the policy

in the first place, directly says what Obama could have done on his own. He could have decided that only those personnel who actually told, a very rare case, would be seperated.

[harkadog]

7. The House has a bill.

The Military Enhancement Readiness Act (MREA) repeals the ban. It had 149 bipartisan co-sponsors last year. Obama could express his support for the bill in the State of the Union. Of course many posters ignore that factoid!

[Pirate Smile]

5. I believe the plan is to add it as an Amendment to the Defense Bill.

I think they may try to avoid the Committee since Skelton is the Chairman and he doesn't want it.

[Imajika]

8. Really wish Obama had done this earlier...

The closer we get to the 2010 elections the more difficult it becomes.

These are the kinda things he should have done in his first few months in office.

I think most Americans are fine with doing away with DADT, but conservatives are very good at demagoguing this issue. It will probably not be too terribly hard to gin up fears and opposition to the elimination of DADT. Let's face it, marriage equality has gone down in 31 of 31 states - basically, everywhere it is put to the voters. I am sympathetic that Obama doesn't want to take on too much at once, and I understand it will probably end up being a much bigger PR battle than many people believe, but this really has to be done.

In my opinion, Obama should have acted on this quickly after taking office. It is going to be more difficult now, but it must be done. Excluding gays from the military is just stupid and spending time and money trying to discover them amongst the ranks for purposes of discharge is pure insanity. I am from a military family and I know of exactly 0 professional military people that have a problem with ending DADT - and most of those military folks ARE Republicans. Attitudes have really changed amongst the professional military personnel I come in contact with - I really don't know any that have any problem serving with gay people.