America Blog:
It's been a disturbing 24 hours. But the White House has just updated its Web site to indicate that it continues to support the repeal of the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy.
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
Actually, reading back through this article, I realized something: We don't need DADT repealed, we do need it revised/replaced. The reason I say this is that there's the possiblity that simply repealing it will just take us back where we were when it was enacted. Whereas, if it was "revised," hopefully that would be to the state that it would say that LGB(T?) personnel may serve openly in the the USA military. It's semantics, I know, but still.....
We've been told that ALL divisive social issues will be put on hold so that Obama can get Health Care passed. After that the Freedom Of Choice ACT as well as clean energy. So I'm willing to wait. But if he is going to tackle divisive social issues, PLEASE PLEASE first deal with the Assault Weapons Ban first. If where going to burn political capital on social issues, burn it up on something that saves lives and makes our streets safer. Don't ask don't tell pales in comparison to police and poor people being gunned down in our streets.
Obama managed to pass proposition 8 in California, by bringing out minorities in droves.
what do you mean by that statement?
Had the African American population in cali, which voted 80% against gay marriage, not been at the polls for Obama, prop 8 would have failed.
There is an irony about a progressive president killing prop 8.
Here's a good Washington Post article on President Obama and civil rights for gay Americans, including DADT.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/01/AR2009050103401.html
Some quotes:
"I understand that the president has his hands full saving the economy. But across a broad spectrum of issues -- including women's rights, stem cell research and relations with Cuba -- the Obama administration has shown a willingness to exploit this change moment to bring about dramatic reform. So why not on gay rights?"
'It is the memory of 1993's gays-in-the-military debacle (and a desire never to repeat it) that has both the president's advisers and policy advocates holding back, waiting for some magical "right time" to move boldly.
This is a bad strategy. President Obama will never have more political capital than he has now, and there will never be a better political environment to capitalize on."
Correction: I meant to say, "including the REPEAL of DADT."
Like many of the policies adopted by President Clinton as he tried to placate the re!ch wing rethuglican'ts, the 'don't tell' policy was and is an abject failure, another rethuglican't failure. Gay, Lesbian and Bi-sexual members of the military are in the service now, serving openly, honestly will not change their orientation nor will it threaten their position or their loyalty to our country. The greatest traitors we have known have all been straights, in spite of what J. Edgar the cross-dresser Hoover, claimed.
Serving openly does not mean Ru Paul open. Klinger was trying to get a discharge for lack of mental stability.
I think you might compare the flagrantly straight male conquest sexual behavior and the same behavior in hetero women to your Ru Paul example.
They all are out of the norm.
Backwards in health care for all and backwards in gay rights.
backwards? Where are you from?
We are from the USA where discrimination is illegal and immoral
Canada has had an open policy for years - I simply do not understand the problem. I am so glad that Obama is addressing that stupid, don't ask don't tell policy that has led to many many problems. I wonder if they decided to introduce that policy in our government positions. Mr. WideStance and others would be out of a job quickly.
I'll be glad when he does actually address it.
Looks like Obama is going to continue this silly approach.
You mean the smart approach, right?
You consider it smart to disinfranchise a large portion of his supporters?
Looks like Annie is going to continue posting homophobic statements
The only silly thing is NOT repealing this act.
Do you ever get tired of being being wrong nearly all the time?
Ann, are you really as stupid as you post would suggest?
She is at least as dogmatic as her posts suggest.
Anyone with the ability to perform the mental gymnastics she does on a daily basis is not lacking in capacity, just ability.
You mean trying to eliminate bars to create a healthy, cohesive military?
PS - is there any other profession (lawyers, doctors, nurses, engineers, policeman, etc etc) who give a rat's @ss of their peers sexuality?
The clergy
The clergy is filled with per-verts, not so many gays though.
Professional athletes. Cops and firefighters in many jurisdictions.
There is a high % of professional athletes that are gay and lesbian, and as for cops and firefighters, their ranks are about equal to that of the general population, that is about 15-20%/
My husband is a cop, and he has two men that work with him that are gay. I asked him once if he was ever treated badly. He said no, that he is treated like everyone else. He even had a cookout, it was a curious George party, where he served hot dogs and tacos. He invited all the police officers who were working to drop in on thier lunch break, so they could get a bite to eat. All the police officers showed up and socialized.
For goodness sake. I served in the military and knew of many gay relationships. It's really no secret. It did not harm the cohesive of the units. They didn't go after the 'straight' troops. There was no need. They just found each other. There is really no rational(again, except for bigotry) that gays should not serve their country. If they are willing to die for their country, why can't they be honest as to who they are? Is sexuality the be all and end all of how well a military member will perform?
Your first hand experience based upon the reality of serving directly challenges this ridiculous discriminatory policy. Your voice is an important one on this issue and I thank you.
same here, ThankGod. everyone knew. no one cared. it affected no one. the whole issue is moot.
Sure we're committed to repealing it. You don't ask us when, and we won't tell you.
You're the commander in chief, Obama. Issue the order.
Never had a doubt.
I did when I read that they changed the lingo.. now they changed it back, what is up with that? Why, if they have not changed their minds?
Loading comments…
First Posted: 05- 1-09 08:44 PM | Updated: 05- 1-09 08:48 PM