Ben Nelson Switches From 'No' To 'Yes' On Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Ben Nelson says he will vote to repeal the law that bans gays from serving openly in the military. The announcement raises the chances for the measure's passage.

The conservative Nebraska Democrat's support could prove crucial when the measure comes before the Senate Armed Services Committee this week.

In a statement released Wednesday, Nelson says he has decided to support the legislation because it allows the Defense Department to determine when and how to implement any changes. Nelson says that "removes politics from the process" and ensures repeal is "consistent with military readiness and effectiveness."

Comments

[fatmos]

02:27 PM on 05/30/2010

What does one expect from a closet liberal.

[doclolly]

10:00 AM on 05/30/2010

Okay Senator Nelso, stay with what you know is right. Tell the TRUTH for once. You are against Gay Marriage. Being Gay (like what's her name Degenerate), transgender, etc. 98.5% of homosexuals do so by choice, the other 1.5% are genetic problems from birth and hormonal.
It is against nature. It says so many times in the Bible. Sometimes the truth hurts. I do not believe Gays should be mistreated. They should have the same rights as others. However, I was in the military for twenty years, and being gay did not work. So stand up.

[tmo7734]

02:38 PM on 05/29/2010

Frankly, I don't care how Ben Nelson votes. It's time to move that virtual Republican into retirement. Same with Blanche Lincoln.

[rbrinega]

02:33 PM on 05/28/2010

So, Ben Nelson votes his first non-douchey vote in this session of Congress?

[rambot02]

10:33 AM on 05/29/2010

Even a blind pig finds a truffle now and then.

[SportGirlie1]

11:54 AM on 05/27/2010

So, let me get this right, if Congress repeals DADT then the military can no longer practice discrimination against gays. But the rest of the country can still discriminate against gays in housing, employment and accommodation (eg restaurants, hotels), etc. DADT, DOMA, and ENDA all need to be dealt with for true freedom to be realized.

[T Unerring]

01:05 PM on 05/27/2010

One step at a time, one step at a time... It will be done. You don't want them NOT to pass it until everything can be done at once, do you?

[SportGirlie1]

01:47 PM on 05/27/2010

absolutely not! let's get this thing done, but not lose sight that there is much more to be done and the DADT repeal will be moving us in the right direction but is not the "be all and end all"

[DannyGee]

01:17 PM on 05/27/2010

not very accurate, as more than half of states have anti discrimination laws based on sexual orientation.

[SportGirlie1]

01:44 PM on 05/27/2010

danny - that's correct, but unless and until these protections are federally codified gay folks still have to 1. pay attorneys to draft the appropriate documents to ensure their relationships are recognized and carry the appropriate copies of those papers to ensure their wishes are carried out in times of crisis 2. be concerned about which states afford gays which rights, 3. restrict gays freedom of movement throughout all the states thereby limiting their ability to relocate for a more beneficial position/career. etc, etc, etc. i can tell from your post that you are informed and enlightened on the topic.

so, i think that you would agree that state by state solutions, while good, meaningful, and well intentioned do not resolve the issue.

[timewaster2dcore]

09:38 AM on 05/27/2010

pending said:

"Race and sexuality are both an unchosen lottery."

------------------------

I disagree. The former is the only "unchosen" lottery; the latter is NOT....by far!!

You folks need to snap out of your delusions.

[T Unerring]

01:06 PM on 05/27/2010

Really? So tell me, how old were you when you decided to be straight?

[Matthew Larsen]

01:07 PM on 05/27/2010

whether it is chosen or not, are you insinuating that if it is a chosen path then we can discriminate? How would that not lead to people discriminating against blacks simply by saying "I am not discriminating against him because he's black, I am not allowing him in the restaurant because he is... fill in any racist stereotypes, (such as fashion, hairstyle, preference in music, adornments, accent or any other lame reason a racist would give as to why they don't want "those" people in there). Arent those chosen features of a person, are they ok to discriminate against in an unlawful way?

I could care less if the thing someone uses as an excuse to commit a crime through discrimination was god given or not, a crime is a crime whether it happens to a white, a black, a gay person, a person that wears glasses, a handicapped person, a woman, a man, a southerner, a northerner, an opposing team fan etc...

[DevonTexas]

08:59 AM on 05/27/2010

How nice. A Democrat changes his vote to support his party's platform. Ain't that sumpin new?!

[Bystander]

12:54 PM on 05/27/2010

He probably got a "deal," so it's not really "new."

[Subjectivity]

07:27 AM on 05/27/2010

Will the military issue gaydars to all bases? So that they can determine who lives in what quarters?

[DevonTexas]

08:59 AM on 05/27/2010

no. It's so they can see YOU coming!

[DrBlunt]

05:39 AM on 05/27/2010

ATTENTION! To All Homophobes:

http://www.ipce.info/library_3/files/homophobes.htm

[PWM]

10:14 AM on 05/27/2010

Of course most homophobes are gay. I would go so far as to say they are all closeted homosexuals. If they weren't they would find something else to think about constantly.

[DrBlunt]

08:07 PM on 05/27/2010

Fan 683 here!

[pending]

05:10 AM on 05/27/2010

It's about time this law caught up with the present reality.

[ferob]

05:08 AM on 05/27/2010

Calling all rednecks. Wouldn't you rather know your "enemy?'" Why don't you do away with some of your prejudices and join us in the 21st century. Shame on all of you.

[pending]

05:12 AM on 05/27/2010

"But I like hatin pepple i dun undastan!"

[DevonTexas]

09:00 AM on 05/27/2010

Isn't Undastan a country in the Middle East?

[T Unerring]

01:08 PM on 05/27/2010

or hoo luk differnt.

[mcvet]

09:26 AM on 05/27/2010

LOL That'll be the day! I'm 62 year old and I do not remember a time that we have not been dragging them, kicking and screaming into the future. I have also studied History most of my life and have found the same reality there.

[TheThinkerCometh]

04:42 AM on 05/27/2010

Wowsers, didn't see this coming.

[DrBlunt]

04:23 AM on 05/27/2010

Gays have ALWAYS served in teh armed forces and WILL ALWAYS serve!

P E R I O D ! ! !

Now get over it and get on with it!

[PWM]

10:14 AM on 05/27/2010

Alexander the Great didn't have problems with the gays in his army. So why are we having this fuss in the first place.

[DrBlunt]

08:05 PM on 05/27/2010

Excellent question you have there!

[essayons7]

01:23 AM on 05/27/2010

My guess is that enlistments and re-enlistments will decline if DADT is repealed.
Not good when you have countries like N Korea around.
Are we ready for a new draft?
If there is a new draft, will females be exempt?
These and a lot more interesting questions come to mind.

[ClaudiaL]

01:44 AM on 05/27/2010

Essayons, your comments sound like GOP spin to me. The scare tactics don't work anymore.

[essayons7]

02:06 AM on 05/27/2010

Claudia,

My comments WERE ment to scare.
As someone who WAS drafted and served in three combat zones, it scares the he11 out of me to think that any of my grand daughters might have to experience the things that I have.
Your comments show that you are unwilling to look at all sides of a complex question and consider cause and effect.
Which of my questions/comments did you find implausable?

[Van Carter]

01:53 AM on 05/27/2010

Yes, there probably will be. Short term there was a very minimal decline in re-enlistments in other forces where gay soldiers serve but the force quickly adjusted and returned within a very short period to previous levels.

Whether this occurs or not is irrelevant to the larger issue, that our military represent the best ideals of our nation and permit our soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen to be honest about their lives with their comrades in arms.

As for a draft? If one is needed, I am certain Americans will answer as always but the cause is the issue. If there is an existential threat to the U.S. a draft will be warranted, short of that I do not see the need for a draft.

[songoftherushes]

01:00 AM on 05/27/2010

I am not against the repeal at all. I do wonder what the practical implications are as regards sleeping quarters, showers etc. Also, are their any rules about dating in the military? I suppose all the same rules would apply but would it be any different with genuine combat duty? (Office work is office work, uniform or not).

[SportGirlie1]

01:53 AM on 05/27/2010

sleeping quarters? showers? is that all you got, not against it and all... your comments although well intentioned, i'm sure, are not helpful in this discussion. should gay people go to different bathrooms and drink from separate water fountains. that is truly the logical conclusion to the scenario you asked about.

[Van Carter]

01:57 AM on 05/27/2010

There are extensive rules covering fraternization and sexual relations in the military.

This is a link to Army policies revised in 2009: http://www.defense.gov/specials/fraternization

The situation with sleeping quarters is one that is likely being addressed by the policy review underway right now.