In a move almost certain to put pressure on President-Elect Obama, 104 retired military officials released a statement today calling for a repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’, a policy that has been responsible for over 12,000 discharged soldiers since its inception under former President Bill Clinton. The issue slowed down the momentum of President Clinton early on in his administration and those close to Obama say he is unlikely to overturn the policy until there is widespread support from current military commanders [AP]
Over 100 Retired Generals & Officers Call For an End to ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
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Distingué Traces
I would hate to see this be a stumbling block at the beginning of two Democratic administrations in a row. The ban on gay soldiers is a foolish and self-defeating policy that harms our military readiness, but it is not a fundamental civil rights issue.
It is not the best use of Obama’s “political capital” — I would much, much rather see a push to repeal DOMA at some point in Obama’s first term.
L
I also would hate to see Obama overreach on this one. However, it is a civil rights issue because the military is presented as a career preparation path (with sizeable financial inducements) to young people. Frankly, I’d like to see military recruiting banned from high schools.
The Gay Numbers
I think DADT will fall relatively soon because the fact is the military rank and file doesn’t care, the American people are on board by 70 percent or so, and Democrats and a bulk of Republicans are okay with it. Its really just intertia that’s keeping it in place, not attitudes.
The Gay Numbers
by soon I mean the next 2 or 3 years. Not next year. Next year I expect thefocus to be on the overall economy and the timetable for getting out of Iraq
JPinWeHo
DADT? Are you kidding me? Obama should work to get rid of that immediately. There is ACTUALLY public support to repeal it – and those news stories about gay arabic language specialist being fired are sympathetic. It’s an easy story – firing soldiers because they are gay hurts our armed forces and *gasp* “helps the terrorists”. Even Bush could argue for its repeal. I think the political environment is completely different today than during Clinton’s first term. I’ll be disappointed in Obama if he doesn’t get DADT checked off early.
DOMA on the other hand is going to be hard for Obama to get rid of – he has publically stated that he only believes marriage is between a man and a woman – it would be political suicide to get rid of it entirely. He’ll have a better chance at amending DOMA so that it specifically recognizes civil unions and domestic partnerships equally with marriages. That way, at least gays&lesbian couples can have the same federal rights, if not the same label as their straight counterparts.
Robert
As former military, I would love to see DADT repealed, it has done more harm then good.
There are so many gay/lesbian members of the military that if they kicked all of us out, then we would be sorely undermanned.
In addition even back when I served, no one really cared (oh don’t get me wrong there were a few men that would say something about gays not realizing I was one of the gays).
Pugs
I too think the time is right to get rid of DADT. Plus it will help DOMA in the long run. Integrating the armed forces after WWII helped speed up the black civil rights movement. I hope Obama gets rid of DADT by the end of 2009.
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Suy Sky
Everyone should be allowed to serve in the military. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is an issue I find difficult to understand.
ChicagoJimmy
@The Gay Numbers:
I’m with you Numbers. I would love to see DADT and DOMA gone right away, but Obama would be instantly labeled a tool of the far left and it would feed right into Republican desires to start the culture war anew. Fix the economy and end the war in the 1st year. This should give him political capital to focus on these type of social issues the next. Gotta get it done in year 2 though, cause in years 3 and 4 he’ll be running for re-election.
RS
Well, Presidents *can* multi-task. Nothing stopping Obama from working on the economy and other issues at the same time. But yeah, I agree there’s a perception issue. Obama would be wise to allow key members of the House and Senate to spearhead it while his staff lines up support among key people in the Pentagon. He can sign the repeal without overtly leading the charge or giving the impression that he isn’t giving the economy his full attention.