Obama National Security Adviser Doesn't Know If "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Will Be Repealed

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's national security adviser says allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military is in the early discussions.

But retired Marine Gen. James Jones says it's very preliminary in a very busy administration.

Jones said Sunday he's not sure if the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy would be overturned, although Obama has said he wants it eliminated. Jones said the decision to go forward lies with the president.

For now, Jones says, "We have a lot on our plate right now."

To change the Clinton-era policy, Obama would need Congress' approval. Recent polls suggest public support but the White House faces other challenges with lawmakers, such as passing his budget and health care plan.

Jones spoke on ABC's "This Week."

Comments

[staticenz]

How does living under suppression of one's sexual identity better serve the military?

Living under "suppression" (within the military ranks) keeps predudice from ever entering anyone's mind in terms of promotions, job details or status. Living under "suppression" will keep the morale at normal levels because nobody will be "victimized" with public redicule and attacks. Unless you are IN the military, you know NOTHING of it's functional requirments.

Troops know going in that homosexuality is frowned upon and prosecutable. Hell, I remember having to sign an agreement (every recruit signs one) stating that fact. Our military operates within higher standards than normal society. You can go to jail for showing up drunk. You can go to jail for being high (not just possession) on drugs. You can go to jail for adultery. You can go to jail for lewd acts with subordinates (willfull or not). And yes, you can be kicked out for being gay.

If it were widely accepted as the "norm" then I don't believe the Army would have a problem with it. But too many guys have issues with homosexuality. Stop trying to muck up our military with your pinko ultra liberal politics. Let the men of our country fight and win wars. You just sit back and enjoy your freedoms. They don't want you in the ranks. DEAL. You'll find that EVEN IF Obama changes the law, the military still will not let it fly. You'll see.

[Daksian]

And yet, it's happening in other countries, where before it was as unthinkable as you suggest it is with the US. These aren't isolated incidents either. The military won't make it easy, I agree, but the will of the people is always stronger than their military. 150 years ago, black men serving in the national army was unthinkable. Ultimately, that was a policy that was thrown down in the face of the heroism and valor of black soldiers in the Civil War. The "right stuff" matters more than race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

[antaeus]

Having an orientation is not an action.

I understand you are freaked out by America entering the 21st century, with its attendant social changes. I get that. But come on! It can't stay 1959 forever, can it?

In Europe gay and straight guys actually mix as friends and chums. Not everyone, but it happens more than you'd think. No big deal. No sex, no nonsense, just friends and mates.

I hope the new world stops freaking you out, and that you can learn to change.

[cure077]

I am currently in the military and I would put a whole lot of money on the fact that at least 40% of all females in the military are gay. The number is probably higher. The fact that you would even use the word "higher standards" when discussing this issue shows your bigotry and ignorance. I am a damn good Soldier. I have been highly decorated and lauded at all levels of my leadership. I exceed every, single standard put in front of me. For you to even suggest that my sexuality in any way effects my ability to meet the standard is competely asanine. You are a bigot.

[IntellectuallyHonest]

We treat our gay soldiers like dirt

[Jaybot]

What this guy knows or doesn't know isn't germane. If DADT is still in place come the 2012 elections, it will cost Obama dearly

[Spesabsquemetu]

Breaking News: U.S. soldier kills 4 other troops in shooting in U.S. Base in Baghdad, believed suffering from PTSD.

Perhaps don't ask, don't tell, along with multiple other serious health issues affecting our troops, along with poorly defined parameters that medical staff are instructed to use in identifying what constitutes PTSD, or in parameters allowed in defining ones sexual orientation, are part of an overall comprehensive overhaul very much needed that serves the goal of better health care for all, particularly our veterans, who are forced into repetitive terms of service, with poorly defined parameters from within which their health care and psycho-social needs are being addressed.

This president can walk and chew gum.
No reason to delay. addressing don't talk, don't tell.
How does living under suppression of one's sexual identity better serve the military?
What does that suppression do to the troops being subjected to this kind of existence?
The time was yesterday for addressing questions of justice for our military.
And still... they are being told to wait?
Address ALL the comprehensive issues needing a just response.
Do not exclude the gay community because we have "other pressing questions".
Walk and chew gum.
It's very American.

[flossophy]

haha... this headline defines the O-admin:

"Don't Know, Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

[heartofdrakn]

awwww....I am the only one going to slam you for this. This is a serious subject and a serious problem yet you fail to even acknowledge it. Why? Are you not intelligent enough to have an opinion on this?

[staticenz]

I'm trying to figure out what planet you posters live on that you think US military members (from privates to top brass) will just up and "accept" gay folks coming in. Where not talking about some San Francisco or New York business here. We're talking about our United States military complex. Much of whom come from middle America and still cling to their conservative views of sex and marriage and in-grained religious values.

You claim people don't accept gay rights because they're "living in the past" or "in a cave". But you folks seem to be living in your own caves. The fact of the matter is, America as a majority does NOT support your cause. Hell, even the most liberal of states (Cali) doesn't support gay marriage.

What you folks do in your own homes is of course your business. But when you attempt to mainline your lifestyle into mainstream society, of course your going to get backlash. You will ALWAYS get backlash. Considering nature intends for Hetro union to produce offspring, that's NEVER going to change for you folks. America is not "backwards" for this assertion. In ALOT of countries of the world gay folks are persecuted and KILLED. You're utopian society of complete free will and acceptence simply does not and will not ever exist. Face it.

[BDHUH]

Last time I looked the only effort to convert military folks was by evangelical CHristians - check out the USAF ACademy for the most egregious example. And of course there are more than a few military leaders who see the Iraq war as a crusade. Fears of the "homosexual agenda" are BS and generally favored by the most closeted. Good luck.

[Jonny38103]

And of course the same argument was made for integrating blacks into the services. When given an order, the military will salute and carry it out. Stop looking for excuses to continue bad policy.

[Daksian]

Backlash? Sure. But change IS coming. Twenty years ago, NO countries would support the notion of gay marriage, let alone gays in the military, and yet a growing number of countries (and states) now support gay marriage and gays in the military.

You're right that it won't be easy...but it WILL happen. Face it.

[Spesabsquemetu]

What is it you fear will happen if don't ask, don't tell is repealed?

I can't say whether America does or does not support the cause of equal justice for the gay community, but would your argument suggest that when America did not support equal rights for African Americans - that this was therefore justified? Or, that the decision to "leave it up to each state" would be representative of equal rights for all?

Equality under the law is not something that can be denied to some, because a majority doesn't like that idea based on sexual orientation. Equality is something we declare ALL are entitled to.
The laws are unjust in the treatment of the gay community.
That's a fact, and cannot be an optional right for some, at the discretion of others.
That's unjust.

[Mohanna]

This guy looks like he is going to bite your nose or ankle.

[dadw5boys]

Wow all these people an no Crystal Ball to see the future !!!!

What's up with that. Don't all of Obama's people have their own private Crystal Ball ?

.

[From the Raft]

The President needs to built a wood shed out on the White House lawn out beyond the swing set and past Michelle's garden. When White House officials go on these Sunday talk shows and spout off their version of the out come of the President's promises he should take them to the shed.

The President has shown he takes his campaign promises seriously. I believe he takes his promise to repeal DADT seriously. Retired Marine Gen. James Jones needs to formulate his answers accordingly or simply stay away from the media if he is not adept in public relations.

[FrozenNorthObserver]

LOLOLOLOLOL, is the sky blue on your planet?
"The President has shown he takes his campaign promises seriously.­"

[CindyV]

During the primaries, didn't Obama refer to himself as "a fierce advocate" for gay rights? So when does this "fierce advocate" kick it into gear and actually advocate for something?

[OldFreddie]

When he has paid back the people who gave him the real money for the campaign, silly. First it was Wall Street, then the unions, who knows who will be next. But my money says it won't be this issue or same sex marriage either. But we'll see.......­.

[mollymac]

The LGBT community was a major bloc in voting for the President. I hope he remembers that.

[Benton]

I think the President should act in favor of LGBT rights because it is the right thing to do. Obama did not receive as much support form the LGBTcommunity as the past couple of democratic candidates (although he did receive substantial support).

The only groups with whom he underperformed Kerry were older (65+) voters, and gay and lesbian voters.

[KoolAidAmerica]

Where will LGBT people go? I voted McCain on taxes and foreign policy but most are stuck on a single agenda which will give them permanent disappointment.

[PlaceboStudman]

And I supported Obama on social issues, and while I don't have a single issue I care about more than others, I wonder just how different things would have been under McCain, though I would have never voted for him. Nader might have been interesting, but oh well...

[timberdoodle]

The Evangelicals have polluted the military and it is only a matter of time before the U.S. will be just as wicked and evil as the Middle East countries governed by religious extremism. They torture people as well.

[From the Raft]

Well I hope you are wrong but ...

[antaeus]

The Air Force Academy might as well be a seminary.

[JackNasty]

"O Lord, bless this thy hand grenade, that with it thou mayst blow thine enemies to tiny bits, in thy mercy." --Monty Python

[Benton]

Its even worse. People do not go to the Air Force Academy for religious teachings. They have a captive audience in the cadets. Once they see the evangelicals rising in rank and responsibility there is pressure to conform.

[magpie27]

Perhaps an interim step for the POTUS would be to suspend enforcement of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. This buys time for him, an adjustment period for the military and staves off a fight in Congress until a future date.

[PlaceboStudman]

A simple statement, directly from POTUS would suffice for many of us (okay maybe just me) : "this is a complex issue with many different positions and perspectives to consider, but we are listening, and we are working on making this change in the most expedient and most plausable way possible. Please be patient, it takes time. But, we are listening"

[staticenz]

As a prior service individual I will say that "Don't ask, don't tell" in it's current form is a joke. If a soldier is gay, and he is open or obvious about it, the military is going to weed him out. No amount of policy making or civilian public debate is going to change that. The fact of the matter is, gay people in the military are going to face extreme predudice. Period.

I understand the desire from the gay community for acceptance. I really do. However, to expect a group of males (especially "combat" MOS's of the military) to readily and openly accept "gay" bunkmates or fellow soldiers, is not only unrealistic, it's dangerous. The military has a systematic method, (by both tradition and necessity) of weeding out real or perceived weakness. This necessity is both out of physical and psychological need. Just the same as we do not want "fatbodies" roaming around the battlefield weaking our image, it's unwise to let loose a bunch of efeminite males giving the image of a weak fighting force. I'm sure that sounds blunt, but candor is the only way to tackle this sensitive issue.

I do not believe in gay's rights to overtly announce their sexuality (via actions, verbage or demeanor) within our military though. Political correctness may be the order of the day in the civilian word. But our military has to deal with global world wide realities. Most times those realities take precedence over "feelings".

[kmswriter]

You have addressed most of the issues surrounding DADT - i wonder however, if we were to peel back the onion and explore why DADT was enacted in the first place.

..you mention if i may; "to expect a group of males (especially "combat" MOS's of the military) to readily and openly accept "gay" bunkmates or fellow soldiers, is not only unrealistic, it's dangerous" - do you suppose the same problem exists today? - this will not be easy to unravel - there has been an ongoing effort to instill evangelical beliefs - religeous freedom in the military isn't so free either.

[From the Raft]

"feelings" ?? maybe that's what's missing in the military. "Feelings" certainly didn't stop the torture!

[AAKAlan]

I don't know if you realize how much of a bigot you are?
Evangelical training, perhaps?

The bottom line is that you equate "gayness" with "weakness", and think of the entire Armed Forces at risk if any of its members are perceived as "weak" because they're "gay".

Nothing personal, but that's bs. Pure and simple. Ever heard of Alexander The Great? One of the greatest warriors of all history, gay and living openly with his "moor", his lover. Not to mention his lover when he was young, Hephaistion. The Spartans used to go to war with their male lovers at the sidelines to ensure that the soldiers would not disgrace themselves in front of their loved ones.

Do you really believe the Israeli Army is considered weak? An army in which gays serve openly and which also provides family housing for lovers?

Or the British Army as weak? They're even enlisting openly gay soldiers.

Your claim has no basis in fact whatsoever. It's specious, and it represents your prejudices, not the reality of the world or of history.

You need to get caught up.

[Justice Wainwright]

If you can go into combat and kill other human beings, you should be able to keep your own homoerotic tendencies from spilling out when you share a room with a gay or lesbian.

The problem is yours, not the brave men and and woman who serve this country and happen to be gay and lesbians. Right now they lay their lives down for YOUR rights, its about time you return the favor.

[jcwtts1]

He said perceived and real not just real. He is talking about the perception of weakness not actual weakness. Here is a tip in political discourse, when you begin anything with "you are a bigot" you lose the ability to have a discussion.

[tomasedison]

Repugs are desperate to tag Obama as the "pro homo" president.
The clowns on hate radio just can't wait to broadcast it 24/7 to all the scared people in the heartland and stir them up but good.

[From the Raft]

Sooner or later some extremely right wing Republican or evangelical will be outed and own up to being gay and there will be shock and awe. When that happens the President will give his "Gay" speech and submit his plan to Congress.