Clifford Stanley, the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, followed up his notice of appealing the DADT injunction by issuing a memo to all servicemembers (but really just the the gay ones) telling them what groups like the Palm Center and SLDN have already: coming out, even with a court injunction against DADT, is still considered to be career suicide.
Yesterday, the Department of Justice filed an appeal from this injunction and the court’s earlier decision that supports it, and is seeking a stay of the injunction while the appeal is pending. In the interim, the Department of Justice will abide by the terms of the injunction. It is possible that a stay of the injunction could be issued very soon, perhaps in a matter of days. In that event, I will issue additional guidance. The Secretaries of the Military Departments shall ensure immediate compliance with this memorandum.
It remains the policy of the Department of Defense not to as servicemembers or applicants about their sexual orientation, to treat all members with dignity and respect, and to ensure maintenance of good order and discipline. Further, in light of the appeal and the application for the stay, a certain amount of uncertainty now exists about the future of “don’t ask, don’t tell” law and policy. We note for servicemembers that altering their personal conduct in this legally uncertain environment may have adverse consequences for themselves or others should the court’s decision be reversed. The Department remains committed to the successful completion of the effort by the Comprehensive Review Working Group by December 1st to assess and consider the impacts a change in the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law could have on military readiness, effectiveness and unit cohesion.
Mark in Dallas
Robin McGehee is going to have a Press Conference on Monday giving the President one last chance to honor his promises. She said if he doesn’t honor her demands then we are going to vote for Republicans. I expect that Obama will cave in. Good job Robin.
Kev C
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. The great and powerful Oz has spoken.
Aaron Rowland
“we are going to vote Republican”
Speak for yourself, troll. Vote third party if you want to make a statement (and throw away your vote).
Voting Republican is beyond stupid. Obama may not be great, but Republicans will be a lot worst. They aren’t even trying to hide that fact.
chimmy
No, we are not going to vote “Republican”, really?, I mean really?? Obama has passed alot of stuff that has helped the middle class. He let “sick kids” get seen by doctors, he capped the credit card companies from taking all your money in their interest rate. The best part is that unemployment has stopped. I know that unemployment is high, 1/2 of my family are jobless, but give him the chance. Bush was in 4 years,2000-2004, and who was voted for in the 2004 election. again, BUSH?!?!?!?!?! President Obama has been in office for 21 months, give him the chance dammit!! He may not be the best president in your eyes, but he has 4 years, and has 27 months more to go. He has to work with us, Americans. Obama is not a magician, he’s not a God, he’s not superman, he’s a human being, just like us, really think about the environment he is in, I’d like to see which of you could do better?…Honestly, he is only a human being.
chimmy
How many people think we would be this far with McCain/Palin? If you actually had to question that, you should see a psychiatrist, seriously. With the McPain/Failin in charge. We would be just as far as we were 3 years ago,nothing questioned, not talking of civil rights, no promise of repeal of the DADT/DOMA/ENDA, & another one, I can’t remember. I want to know who disagrees with me? GOPround, Tea Baggers, I’m sure you’ll be speaking up, I might come back and check
Brutus
@Mark in Dallas: LOL, vote for Republicans? That’s asinine. I can understand being upset with Obama for not pushing LGBT rights harder, but the response is NOT “I’m going to vote for the guys who campaign on how gross gays are and who keep talking about a constitutional amendment to ban gay rights.” That’s not even a credible threat because it goes so deeply against the speaker’s interest. (And say what you want about the Log Cabin Republicans and DADT, mainstream Democrats brought and won the DOMA suit in Massachusetts.)
Vote Green. Or vote Libertarian, if you can find any who aren’t complete wack jobs. But Republican? Girl, please.
Daniel
When I was a kid and threw a tantrum my dad would say “Stop crying or I’ll give you something real to cry about.” I almost hope the Republicans take over in November and again in 2012 so you REALLY have something to complain about.
ewe
Can gay taxpayers get refunded if they all come out?
ewe
@Daniel: that’s kinda kinky.
B
Re No 1: “She said if he doesn’t honor her demands then we are going to vote for Republicans. ”
… she can say anything she damn well pleases but it won’t change my decisions on how I’m going to vote.