Powell Calls For Review, Not Reversal, Of Don't Ask Don't Tell

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Sunday that the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy he helped craft should be revisited, but he would not go so far as to call for a full repeal of the compromise.

"The policy and the law that came about in 1993 I think was correct for the time," Powell said in an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union." "Sixteen years have now gone by, and I think a lot has changed with respect to attitudes within our country. And therefore, I think this is a policy and a law that should be reviewed."

"I was withholding judgment because the commanders of the armed forces of the United States and the Joint Chiefs of Staff need to study it and make recommendations to the president, and have hearings before the Congress before a decision is made," he added. "It is not just a matter of old generals who, you know, are just too high-bound. There are lots of complicated issues with respect to this, and I think all of those issues should be illuminated. And I hope that the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the commanders working with the secretary of defense will give this the greatest consideration and make their recommendation to the president and to the Congress."

Powell, as much as any congressional figure, played the foil in President Bill Clinton's efforts to follow through on a campaign promise that all citizens, regardless of sexual orientation, should be able to serve openly in the military. In recent months, he and other key players from the first battle (notably, former Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn) have argued that political realities have evolved to the extent that the armed forces should take a closer look at the policy's purpose and effectiveness. In December 2008, Powell told CNN that it was time to "definitely re-evaluate" "Don't Ask Don't Tell."

By not calling for full repeal, the former Secretary of State and prominent Obama endorser doesn't really do the Obama administration many favors. During the campaign, the president called for overturning "Don't Ask Don't Tell." But he has been slow to act since taking office, even as 250 military servicemen have been dismissed for disclosing their sexuality. Having a prominent figure like Powell provide the cover for a sweeping policy reversal would be a gift to Obama and a boon to gay-rights groups, which have grown increasingly frustrated with the president for dragging his feet on this issue.

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Comments

[Poorsarah]

Thinking critically about the "don't ask, don't tell" policy...i­t sounds so junior-highish!!! If a person is gay, in the military, and they are serving and protecting our nation just as well or better than straight military personnel.­..then, why do they have to keep it a "secret" since it is really no secret because most common folk know that there are competent gay people serving in the military. Case in point; the DADT faux policy makes about as much sense as the GOP claiming that the Employee Free Choice Act will take away the "secret" ballot...o­f course, this is more false information from the GOP because...­what is so "secret" about voting for a good union without fear of employer intimidati­on...the truth; the "secret" ballot won't be taken away because the EFCA allows workers their civil right to form a union to be able to bargain for a better life for their families. The same is true for this childish DADT crappola; there is NOTHING SECRET ABOUT GAY SOLDIERS PROTECTING OUR NATION...c­ommon sense would dictate that the DADT policy be overturned­...it doesn't make sense!!!

[Whinger]

Colin, what's needed is someone with the guts to grasp the stinging nettle and uproot it.

[CigarGod]

Very little courage that high up. Most Generals are polititians first, Generals second.

[Steamboater]

Powell can kiss my @ss. He was the one who was one of the major players in getting DADT in place. Now he wants a review and maybe DADT shoul dbe oberturned but only so far? There's nothing to review. Do away with it or suspend it at least until it's done away with. Powell's only tryng to salvage a reputation gone with the wind because he knows 70% of America would approve overturning DADT and because of his repulsive lying when he went before the UN during the Bush administration in regard to Iraq.

[happycozy]

I was thinking the same thing. When he served as Joint Chief of Staff under Clinton, didn't he threaten to resign if gays were allowed to server openly? He needs to apologize.

[M1]

He sure does.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

You have a lot of anger about Powell. You make assumptions you cannot support with any fact. People can change. If Powell's reputation was gone, no one would be reporting on what he thinks.

Powell has no responsibility to overturning DADT or suspending it (which is not legally possible). He is not in the Cabinet. He is not in the military. He is not in the Congress. He as a right to an opinion, just like anyone else.

For all you know, Powell is saying review DADT to overturn it because it was wrong to begin with. Maybe he had an epiphany that it is now wrong.

I bet you were one of the people who applauded Cheney when he suddenly said he was for gay marriage, stating that people can change.

[CigarGod]

He is a citizen...­and all citizens have a responsibility to overturn laws that disadvantage their fellow American's.
As Powell was involved it the laws creation, his responsibility is greater. As Powell has decided to support Mullen in his delaying tactic, Powell has made his intentions known.

[cityspeak]

Wow, this would really mean a lot if only this man wasn't a WAR CRIMINAL!!!

Everytime he opens his mouth the reporter or an American citizen should be there asking him about his war crimes.

Lying to the UN, it is on video, for reasons the USA went to war in Iraq.

Being at the table in the White House when he received full disclosure that we were torturing prisoners under our internment , violating well established international as well as domestic human rights laws.

Americans need to hold him and the entire Bush cabal accountable because until we do the rest of the world will not buy what we claim to be selling. They see us as the worst of hypocrites.

Which is also they way they see us on this issue of DADT. How can a country that claims to be about freedom and the innate dignity of indidual expression keep gays and lesbians out of serving in our military?
Just another sign to the rest of the word that America is unable to" walk the talk " they keep shouting at the rest of the world.

Full equality for all American citizens, and that includes marriage!

[RobertHenryEller]

General Powell is being careful not to appear to be dictating to the current armed forces top brass. He is being wise, not weaselly.

[Steamboater]

General Powell didn't care about dictating to the armed forces when he was active and saying that he'd quit if Gays were allowed to serve openly in the armed forces, and that's a fact. He's no weasal; Powell's a skunk.

[CigarGod]

Yep.
Still waiting for someone with any courage.
Powell is basically backing up his fellow General...­who basically said "wait".

[OlongapoEd]

My experience in the military taught me not to trust military people, particularly careerists. Powell often tries to sound reasonable, but at heart, he strikes me as just another wea sel. I have mixed feelings about this issue. While on the one hand it is necessary that we have equal rights, on the other hand, I would strongly urge gay men & lesbians (bisexuals too, for that matter) to avoid the military like the plague. It is a highly toxic environment.

[JackNasty]

I have no problem with urging people to stay away from the military. Why single out gay people?

At present, a law requiring anti-gay discrimination, that Colin Powell vigorously supported, makes it illegal for gay people to serve openly in the military. Remove this legal impediment first, then you can urge gay people not to serve.

[PlaceboStudman]

The military is only a toxic environment because we've let it be one. And it is not just a toxic environment for LGBTs, but for Muslims and atheists as well. People need to realize and accept that society has changed, and is always changing, and we should be expecting the military to change with society. But, because we've allowed the military to run almost entirely independently from greater society, we have allowed it to become a place where the enemies we face in the foxhole next to us are far more dangerous than the enemies we face on the other side of the battlefields, thus making the military a battlefield itself even in peace time

[OlongapoEd]

I didn't address the issue of religion because I wanted to stay close to the DADT topic. I suppose you used muslims and atheists at typical examples. I'd say that the military is a toxic environment for just about any non-Christian. In my experience, some people who stray quite far from the norms of what constitutes a "good Christian" can be surprisingly vehement in supporting orthodox Christianity against any whiff of atheism or agnosticism.

[OlongapoEd]

I didn't mean to imply that "atheists and agnostics" constitute the sum total of being "non-Christian". I should have had a segue to the issue of non-religious people in the military.

[Niasia]

I mean really if someone wants to volunteer to go face forward into harm's way to keep me safe...not only do I have much respect for them I really don't care who they choose to love. As long as it is legal I could care less. And I think we have some nerve to continue this law! What if all the Gay/Lesbians who are hiding their orientation right now decide to just up and leave the armed forces. Have they thought about that? This law is ridiculous and should just be overturned already! Come on United States we can do this.

[PlaceboStudman]

Call and write your congressmen, senators, representatives, governors, mayors, etc and tell them all how you feel and put pressure on them to yank the bill to repeal DADT out of committee and put it to full vote on the floor. That is the only way this can be done, and no one in Congress seems to be willing to grow the cajones to do it

[JackNasty]

Powell has never called for repeal.of Don't Ask Don't Tell. He's merely called for some reevaluation, for more delays and more studies before it might be repealed.

What is there to study? What is there to reevaluate?

Once again, Colin Powell is making a stand for anti-gay discrimination.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

We need to pressure Congress to pass legislation.

There is an excellent blog at http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/6/19/124142/765 which lists most of the ongoing legislation in Congress and suggests a course of action. This blog review all ongoing legislation:

1. the Domestic Partner Benefits and Obligation Act

2. the Employment Non-Discrimination Act

3. the Matthew Shepard Act [hate crime]

4. the Military Readiness Enhancement Act [to repeal DADT]

Write your Congress (Senate and House). E-mail. Fax. Call. Lobby.

There is much we can do as individuals so that Congress understand that eliminating bias and prejudice is the will of the people.

[Epiphany2b]

While they are at this "review" perhaps they should also review the unofficial change in policy that allows the military to accept as enlistees street gang members and skinheads. This has to be much more dangerous to the overall effectiveness of the military operations overseas (extending their propensity to commit crimes and attitudes to overseas posts). Why one should be a problem and not the other is mind-boggling.

[PlaceboStudman]

If the DOJ really wanted to affect some policy changes, they'd start monitoring the white supremicist movement that seems to be growing in strength, and turn their attention away from harmless non-violent drug offenders and start cracking down on the militias and hate groups who are empowered now

[We-Are-The-Ones]

And you think these groups are not being monitored by, for instance, DHS?

[S1m0n]

WTF? Wasn't he Chair of the JCOS the day it passed?

[CharlottesvilleVA]

Sorry, General, but it's not your call, nor is it the call of the military leadership. Had Truman allowed it to be their call you would have never made it past Corporal. And you gotta know that.

It's the President's call, and he needs to go grow a pair and make that call. He promised this much, and there's absolutely no reason to delay.

[monicaangela]

Exactly, this lies sqaurely at the feet of the President who btw is the Commander and Chief, what he says goes. It's time to put an end to discrimination in every arena...th­is includes the gay community.

[PlaceboStudman]

Actually this is Congress's call. The president can present and promote the bill, but Congress still has to vote on it. The firings can be stopped by executive order until the law is fully repealed, but the law itself must go through congress before it can be officially repealed, and even then it must be replaced by another law that would essentialy say the opposite

[We-Are-The-Ones]

Either you do not understand how legislation works or you don't understand how legislation works. By the terms of our Constitution, Congress legislates. Congress passes laws. Congress repeals laws. The only exception is if the Court finds a law unconstitutional or if there is text in the law that makes its implementation discretionary.

The Court has not found DADT unconstitutional (nor is it likely to). There is nothing in DADT's text or regulations that allow it to be discretionary applied or stop lossed by Executive Order. The only way to take DADT off the books is via an act of Congress.

The only way to take DADT off the books is via an act of Congress.

Truman integrated the military via Executive Order BECAUSE there was no contrary competing federal law. Obama cannot issue an Executive Order to ignore pre-existing and duly enacted federal law. DADT is federal law.

The President never promised to REPEAL DADT because that falls outside of his Constitutional authority. He promised to help repeal DADT. And he is doing that. The review that Colin Powell asks for is already in the works.

There are things individuals can do, however, there is a bill right now in Congress filed by Ellen Tauscher. Call your rep to support it and to move it along.

[PlaceboStudman]

Sadly the American people have just not shown enough interest to make repeal of DADT and DOMA high enough priorities yet for Congress to deal with those issues. Maybe, just maybe, after Health Care and Energy fails, then perhaps someone in Congress will have the courage to bring DADT to the floor

[aftershock]

"There is nothing in DADT's text or regulations that allow it to be discretionary applied or stop lossed by Executive Order. The only way to take DADT off the books is via an act of Congress."

How many times do you have to be proven wrong before you stop making this pathetic excuse for the President? He CAN issue a stop loss, he CHOOSES not to. Get it straight and stop being such a sycophant.

[jmpurser]

Why is anyone listening to this man who has REPEATEDLY proven his lack of any admirable or even respectable characteristics?

[monicaangela]

He is military trained, his life has been military, anyone who has ever been in the military knows you don't get to have your own opinions, you have to seek the input of higher authority before expressing an opinion, it appears for some this doesn't change even after they leave the military.

[Jeff Cunningham]

The whole "Permission to speak freely, sir?" thing, I'd wager.

[Steamboater]

Powell didn't think he needed a higher authority when he was a general under Clinton. The military has a history of generals and others taking positions that smacked of insubordination like MacArthur who Truman rightfully fired and Clinton didn't have the balls to do with Powell.

[sbvpav]

votevets.org has a petition to sign for repeal of "don't ask, don't tell." if you agree, please go to their website and sign....eq­ual rights for all, protecting our national security.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

This is a site for veterans to sign up or if you are not a vet, then it asks you to send a letter to the media.

http://ga3.org/campaign/veterans/

[CigarGod]

Done.

[jncc1701]

Lets get our energy and health policy into law first.

[monicaangela]

Let's do it all at the same time, it's possible you know.

[bowthai]

I second that.

[PlaceboStudman]

You really are willing to wait 10 or more years for this policy to be overturned and allow gays to serve in the military and speed up the war effort? Because that IS how long it will take for energy and health care to be implemented, IF they pass...and at this point, there's not even any confidence that they will pass

[Steamboater]

What could be more healthy for this country than doing away with discrimination?