Obama to End 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Military Policy

[WriteDown]

Source: WSJ

WASHINGTON--President Barack Obama on Saturday pledged to end a 16-year-old policy banning gay people from serving openly in the nation's military, in a gesture to a group that provided a major source of support during his campaign.

But the president didn't set out a timetable for reversing the policy. As a result, his pledge might not be enough to appease some in the gay community who feel that Mr. Obama hasn't moved quickly enough to address their issues -- even as his message could spark criticism from some conservatives and members of the military.

Speaking at a human-rights dinner in the capital, Mr. Obama vowed to end the Clinton-era "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which allows homosexuals to serve in the military, as long as they don't disclose their sexual orientation or act on it.

The law has long been criticized by gay-rights advocates as a half-measure that doesn't fully recognize the rights and contributions of gay service-men and women. Mr. Obama has in the past said he would work to overturn the policy.

"We cannot afford to discharge people from our ranks with critical skills," he told a cheering crowd of about 3,000 at the black-tie event sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign, a gay civil-rights group......

Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125522141307378387.html?mod=igoogle_wsj_gadgv1&

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Interesting.

[joeycola]

1. I think I saw this same healdline--MONTHS ago!

[Cant trust em]

2. Years ago at this point.

I take the president at his word, but this speech doesn't mean a whole lot more.

[joeycola]

3. It was a rally at best.

[Cant trust em]

4. Yup. A rally that only served to piss me off.

Honestly, this issue is leaving me feel really conflicted. I find myself arguing with myself a lot over this one.

[MarjorieG]

5. It does, spoken as president getting attention. I hope he means before 2010 may change Congress, but

understand if he wants a clearer media path for Health Care and Climate Change for ALL, both heavy lifts.

Maybe Congress doesn't want to have to run on it, which I understand but don't like.

[Cant trust em]

6. My bet is that this happens after the mid-terms at the earliest.

It may wind up being a 2nd term issue.

[frebrd]

8. It will sure as hell be a second term issue to me if it "hangs fire" that long........

a definite deal-breaker!

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

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[placton]

9. yawn

Obama promises, thousands cheer, millions wait

[rug]

10. Shouldn't this be in LBN when it actually happens?