Finally, Washington is starting to wake up from its 15-year slumber concerning gays in the military. Today, 77 members of Congress sent a letter to the White House urging President Obama to take the lead on "don't ask, don't tell" by issuing an immediate moratorium on further gay discharges. Following the moratorium, Congress would then have time to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" law by legislation on its own schedule.
The major gay groups, including the Human Rights Campaign and the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, have called for an immediate presidential suspension of the gay ban, which falls under the president's "stop-loss" authority that governs all military separations. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili has suggested that it is a viable option. The New York Times has also called on the President to consider issuing one. Today's demand by so many members of Congress lends more weight to the chorus.
A White House order would help a lot of people, including Dan Choi. He recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq, but in just a few weeks, the Army is going to fire him for being gay. In his case, there simply isn't time to wait the months or, more likely, years, that Congress may require to take up the issue. Only an immediate moratorium on "don't ask, don't tell" can keep him in the Army. Only President Obama can do that. That's what 77 members of Congress have recognized.
But this is about something far larger than one service member. It's about the role in protecting national security of tens of thousands of proud, loyal gay and lesbian troops. Like Dan, thousands of other gays and lesbians have donned the United States uniform, put their lives on the line, and participated in our nation's overseas missions. Hundreds of those individuals had skills like Arabic and other language capabilities or other badly-needed specialty skills, that literally saved lives in Iraq. Like Dan, they would like to be able to keep doing their jobs. The military needs them all. And they want to serve.
The problem is that even though three quarters of the American public support the right to serve honestly, there is a stalemate in Congress. A small alliance of Republicans and conservative Democrats stands in the way of Congress doing anything soon about "don't ask, don't tell." That's why today's call for an immediate presidential moratorium is so important. It would cut through the gridlock in Congress.
Dan Choi is ready to go back to Iraq if the White House allows them to do so. So are countless of his comrades who have been needlessly stripped of their ability to serve their country in uniform.
When I think of all the folks who are considered 'less' than me - who can't visit a loved one in a hospital, can't automatically inherit their partner's estate, can't raise their own or adopt children, can't serve openly in the military, or many other happenings that I take for granted there's something wrong with this picture.
The religious right is, I believe, behind most of the opposition and you have to push back. Only when these monster organizations have their tax exempt status removed for intrference in politics will they be willing to even discuss the issue.
I don't know if I will live to see the kind of 'human rights' that everyone deserves - and equality here at home and abroad - but (I expect to have a few more years) I hope I do.
and not everyone has access to civil unions anyway, so your logic isn't right there either....
why are they trying to make it an Obama problem, when they are the ones who created it and who can overturn it?
Second they are asking the president to use his bully pulpit to put pressure on those who in his own party who are standing in the way of repealing DADT. It's a very simple request and one that is expected from the man who is the defacto leader of the party. It even holds more weight since he is also Commander In Chief. This is where Bush was very skilled getting those from his party who didn't agree on board.
One of those news people today asked him if he needed another stimulous bill eeven though he's only wasted 6% of the one he already has.
The US Presidency - WHERE GREAT IDEAS GO TO DIE .....
I have full confidence in Obama that he WILL do the right thing in his first term.
Have some confidence and patience.
Leave President Obama alone!
We are.
Are there only 77 honorable and intelligent people in Congress?
This administration would be well served to stand up for what is right.
Ultimately, standing up against un-warranted discrimination is the right thing to do.
This administration seems un-willing to stand up for LGBT rights; perhaps there is the notion that this will lead to an un-winnable fight.
I think that now the time has come for a bold move on civil rights and I hope this administration does not consider Gays and lesbians un-worthy; placing this group as " The Other",somehow outside of citizenship and worthy of exclusion.
They would necessarily apply to everyone.