![59473499[1]](http://www.queerty.com/wp/docs/2009/10/594734991.jpg "59473499[1]")
Obama today will appoint retired Marine General (and Dr.) Clifford Stanley as Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. Why should you care?
Because Stanley, a 33-year Marine vet and former Scholarship America head, is an ardent anti-discrimination advocate. And Stanley's new Defense Department job? It's responsible for overseeing the Don't Ask Don't Tell's implementation.
The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network's Kevin Nix is thrilled: "There were indications of seriousness of purpose on DADT repeal today by this White House with its intent to nominate an Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. Dr. Stanley is likely to be the President’s key Pentagon player in the DADT debate and will be critical for the President in getting military uniform buy-in. Historically, the position of Under Secretary of Defense provides oversight of 'don’t ask, don’t tell.'"
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This could be good news, we'll just have to wait and see. If DADT discharges still occur under the new Under Secretary's watch then his appointment will mean nothing other than "new boss, same as the old boss". If, however, he is able to exercise his will and put a halt to this whole disgusting affair, then we may have something to thank Obama for, after all.
For now, I'm taking a wait and see attitude.
…crickets.
If there's a hint of this Marine being opposed to DADT his nomination will be held up indefinitely by the GOP. Republican Senators are very good at putting secret blocks or holds on nominations. That's why so many Obama appointees are still not in their jobs.
Bob R, "If there's a hint of this Marine being opposed to DADT his nomination will be held up indefinitely by the GOP. Republican Senators are very good at putting secret blocks or holds on nominations. That's why so many Obama appointees are still not in their jobs."
Are you sure about that? Remember that with Al Franken finally getting to take his senate seat, the Republicans cannot filibuster if all Democratic senators oppose it.
If they ask Dr. Stanley about DADT, all he has to say is that an undersecretary of defense is expected to follow the law and the directives of the president, and otherwise make decisions on his own that further the national interest. but that are consistent with the law and with the president's wishes. If that is not good enough for the Republicans, you can bet that some organization is going to start to shout "racism" (and probably for a very plausible reason), and the Republicans will find themselves winning only the straight-white-male geriatric vote,
southern chapter. You know, people almost old enough to remember the carpetbaggers.