Ridiculous.

What you are suggesting is governing by gimmick. That is not happening because, after 8 years of perhaps the worst president in our history, we finally have some adult supervision.

Meanwhile http://content.usatoday.com/co.....20000517/1 indicates that Obama is most likely going to sign the Mathew Shepard and JamesByrd, Jr. Hate Crime Prevention Act some time tomorrow (Wednesday).

Your concerns are outside of the scope of his Order, which will be to suspend discharges based on DADT, only.

The Order Obama will issue will be for the retention of gay soldiers in a time of war, and not relate to discharge at the end of their normal service. The legality of the Order is grounded in his Oath of Office and the Federal Constitution, consistent with his duty to protect the county, honor soldiers, and uphold the Equal Protection Clause.

The law will also have to be rescinded by Congress.

His response to any technical irregularities the Order would cause?
“Sue me.” That is a great leader, and one who actually follows his Oath.

A President and his staff may issue orders directing others not to enforce a law. It happens all the time, most recently exemplified by last week’s order for prosecutors not taking to task CA’s medicinal pot smokers, growers and sellers, despite the fact that they are in violation of Federal law.

The Palm Center has already outlined a plan for Obama to effectively kill DADT pending its outright repeal. And Obama hasn’t moved.

It’s Obama’s fault it’s taking so long. Plain and simple. He refuses to spend political capital on us.

(But fortunately he’s realized that ENDA *had* to pass quickly, or “teh gays” would make good on their promise of rebellion.)

Reality: stop-loss orders are controversial and not liked by military personnel (who want a predictable term of service). As the “Commander in Chief”, Obama has a valid reason to not use them unless absolutely necessary. Furthermore, how do you justify a stop-loss order based on sexual orientation without ignoring anti-discrimination laws, at least in spirit? Remember that a stop-loss order would also prevent a gay soldier from leaving the military at the end of his term of service.

Stop-loss orders managed on an individual basis would set a precedent in which the president could keep a specific soldier in the military for as long as he wanted. You know, like extending the term of a senator’s son if the senator does not play ball on specific legislation. Using it as Brian NJ’s “magic wand” would set a bad precedent in general.

Finally, a stop-loss order based on sexual orientation would mean that the military wants gays only if there is a war going on where they might be killed, and once the war is over, they will be shown the door and denied any benefits associated with leaving after their enlistment is finished: the use of the stop-loss order as an exception to DADT does not apply once a war ends. This sort of abuse has happened before – gay soldiers came out during a previous conflict (e.g. in an attempt to end discrimination by showing the cost of it), were kept in for the shooting war, and booted out once the risk to life and limb ended.

You are wrong about speed. I live on a planet where when Obama wanted NEW, complex and controversial bailout legislation, it was plopped right on his desk. He is about to get new, complex legislation on health care plopped right on his desk. A reorganization of a large sector of the American economy. Where are two simple repeals OF OLD LAW? What senator does not know how he or she will vote on DADT or DOMA? There is no work involved in these repeals. They have legally discredited, they have been morally discredited.

HOW DID GAYS GET ON THE BOTTOM OF THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA! Gay excuses and complicity, that’s how. They are having hearings on improving soldier education in the House Armed Services Committee. WHY ALL THE EXCUSES FOR THE GOVERNMENT??

You are right that on MOST issues, there is no magic wand to make something happen.

But, on DADT, there is a magic wand. Not to fully REPEAL the existing law, but to suspend its enforcement while congress continues to work on its repeal.

The legislation that enacted DADT has a provision in it that authorizes the president to suspend the enforcement of DADT with a stop loss order (magic wand) during a time of war.

So, Obama could easily issue that stop loss order (its actually been done in the past) and actually accomplish what he has said with his rhetoric on the campaign trail and in front of LGBT dinner / party audiences.

Thanks for the useful link Prof!

“With dwindling enlistment”

Actually, all branches and components of the military have met their recruiting and retention goals. They’ve raised standards back up and moved away from granting exemptions.

You can do the same for any gay-related bill. Following, each one is a list of the members of Congress and their position on the bill. This allows you to check on your representative or senator to see whether or not they support the legislation.

It’s a great web site to check on the current status of any gay-related bill in Congress.

Da Pope?

What will we do after the bill comes to a house vote??
I know, we’ll compromise on it with the Republicans!