President Obama on the DOD Report on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

[ProSense]

President Obama on the DOD Report on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

Posted by Jesse Lee

The President released the statement below on the DOD report released earlier today on the impact of repealing "Don't Ask Don't Tell":

As Commander in Chief, I have pledged to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law because it weakens our national security, diminishes our military readiness, and violates fundamental American principles of fairness and equality by preventing patriotic Americans who are gay from serving openly in our armed forces. At the same time, as Commander in Chief, I am committed to ensuring that we understand the implications of this transition, and maintain good order and discipline within our military ranks. That is why I directed the Department of Defense earlier this year to begin preparing for a transition to a new policy.

Today’s report confirms that a strong majority of our military men and women and their families—more than two thirds—are prepared to serve alongside Americans who are openly gay and lesbian. This report also confirms that, by every measure—from unit cohesion to recruitment and retention to family readiness—we can transition to a new policy in a responsible manner that ensures our military strength and national security. And for the first time since this law was enacted 17 years ago today, both the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have publicly endorsed ending this policy.

With our nation at war and so many Americans serving on the front lines, our troops and their families deserve the certainty that can only come when an act of Congress ends this discriminatory policy once and for all. The House of Representatives has already passed the necessary legislation. Today I call on the Senate to act as soon as possible so I can sign this repeal into law this year and ensure that Americans who are willing to risk their lives for their country are treated fairly and equally. Our troops represent the virtues of selfless sacrifice and love of country that have enabled our freedoms. I am absolutely confident that they will adapt to this change and remain the best led, best trained, best equipped fighting force the world has ever known.

...

[swimboy]

1. And no separate but equal

Excellent. Now get it done.

[VMI Dem]

2. Blah blah blah...

I've got this!

[boppers]

9. You called? eom

[impik]

3. Sell Out!

[jenmito]

4. What a BIGOT!

K&R. :)

[JTFrog]

5. K&R!

[jenmito]

6. "Today I call on the Senate to act as soon as possible so I can sign this repeal into law this year

and ensure that Americans who are willing to risk their lives for their country are treated fairly and equally." That's called "using the bully pulpit." :thumbsup:

[David Zephyr]

7. So far so good. 31 days left. Maybe he will keep his promise.

With or without Congress, Obama can put this miserable policy to sleep forever. Let's hope he gets this through the Senate, otherwise, he will have act boldly to stop the discharging for the duration of his presidency, which he can do.

[jenmito]

8. Kick-where are all the Obama critics who say he's homophobic and doesn't WANT

DADT repealed?

[Pisces]

10. Lurking and hiding. DADT will be repealed!!!

[jenmito]

11. Yeah, and sulking because this goes against their narrative. n/t

[Number23]

12. You don't take those folks seriously, do you? They don't even take themselves seriously.

[Duncan Grant]

13. You mean like this guy?

Lt Dan Choi is arrested for handcuffing himself to the fence outside the White House in Washington, DC during a protest for gay rights.
A group of demonstrators demanded that President Obama keep his promise to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'.
Photo: AP

And I'd like to include a quick passage about how to be an ally to LGBT people:

4. Allies are committed to the never-ending personal growth required to be genuinely supportive. If both
people are without privilege it means coming to grips with the ways that internalized oppression
affects you. If you are privileged , uprooting long-held beliefs about the way that the world works
will probably be necessary.

Link: http://www.jcu.edu/campuslife/reslife/current/docs/resources/How%20to%20be%20an%20Ally%20if%20you%20are%20a%20Person%20with%20Privilege.pdf

And then there's this: Judge: Stop 'don't ask, don't tell' immediately.

Truth be told, Obama could have ended DADT in October 2010 but he chose not to. Beyond the pretty words, he's offered no substantive leadership on LGBT issues. Others, of course, are free to disagree (or to trivialize Obama's critics...).