A new week means a whole new week of gags of Capitol Hill. And it’s going to play out with rainbows and starbursts as each of the military’s branch heads sit down before lawmakers and run their mouths about whether troops are ready for a Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal.
Technically, when the Army, Air Force, and Marine chiefs testify before the House on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, it’ll be to discuss the 2011 budget. But you can fully expect DADT to come up (it’s a HOT BUTTON TOPIC!). And again, a second time, in another hearing dedicated entirely to DADT.
The feedback from the Army’s Gen. George Casey the Air Force’s Gen. Norton Schwartz (they testify on Tuesday) and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway (he goes Wednesday), comes on the heels of Iraq and Afghanistan head Gen. David Petraeus hinting on Meet The Press today that he supports a DADT repeal: “I support what our secretary and chairman have embarked on here. … I’m not sure that [enlisted troops] do [care about gays in the military].” It is unclear from reports whether Navy Adm. Gary Roughhead will testify.
(Pictured, top, behind Biden and Obama, from L-R: Air Force Gen. Norman Schwartz, Army Gen. George Casey, Joint Chiefs Chairman Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, Marine Gen. James Conway, and Navy Adm. Gary Roughead)
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The most fun, however, will come when Gen. Conway repeats his position that DADT shouldn’t be repealed — all before Missouri’s Democratic Rep. Ike Skelton, the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and staunch opponent to repeal.
Brian En Guarde
DADT is not what this country is supposed to be about. I hope they show something the military is supposed to be renown for – courage and strength. How are we supposed to have faith in Marines when they can be taken down by an uncomfortable shower?
1EqualityUSA
DADT is a National disgrace. Discrimination is unAmerican. DOMA is a National disgrace. All Americans are equally represented under the Constitution. Any privileges given to one set of Americans, must be made available to all Americans. This issue will not rest and go to sleep. The Supreme Court of the United States needs to leave their religious notions aside, when examining matters of equality. If not, we are in deep doo. Religion has a place in this country and the faithful will get the word out without political compromise, a truer way to represent, but the Separation of Church and State must be strengthened for both, religious and non-religious.
Josh AZ
It will be many years before an actual Repeal. The studies will last the next 2-3 years. The Congress – at that time – will decide about any Repeal. It doesn’t look good.