American Morning
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
From CNN's Carol Costello and Ronni Berke
It's a promise President Barack Obama keeps on making: “Don't Ask. Don't Tell” will go away. In February 2008, he told a crowd: "I'm going to do it by putting together a military panel made up of people like General [John Shalikashvili]."
The president said that as a candidate last year. So far no panel of any kind has been convened to discuss the best way to allow gays to serve openly. Critics say Mr. Obama hasn't even issued an executive order prohibiting the military from firing gay soldiers like Lt. David Choi, until that "panel" is born.
"I want to serve," Choi told CNN. "I want to fight, I want to serve my country but because I'm gay and nobody wants to do anything about it right now of course that's supremely frustrating."
Nobody is doing much about it right now because, despite presidential support, there is still some opposition to repealing the measure.
Some, like retired Army Lt. Colonel Robert Maginnis, oppose repealing the law. “You have forced intimate situations where you say, look, you know, you're going to room with this person, and that's an order. Then, in fact, you can begin to have the residuals, the morale issue, the whole issue about retention and recruitment come up.”
The Pentagon says they can't move on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" until Congress does first.
“This building views 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' as the law of the land until Congress acts otherwise,” says Defense Department Press Secretary Geoff Morrell. “We can't willy-nilly choose which laws we wish to abide by and those we don't.”
And, despite a more liberal Congress, lawmakers aren't exactly chomping at the bit to pass Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher's measure repealing "Don't Ask, Don’t Tell." Congressional observers say the reason is simple.
Josh Rogan of the Congressional Quarterly says “the bottom line is that Democrats in leadership don’t want to put their members to the test by calling for a vote on this unless they're absolutely sure and the bottom line is right now they're not absolutely sure.”
President Obama has had informal discussions with this top generals about “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and he made it clear the law will eventually go away. But he did not request a formal study, so the Pentagon will continue to follow the law.
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"Dont ask, Don't tell" Policy is exactly what it implies. We are not allowed to ask, nor in anyway should you tell us that you are. Therefore if you happen to be gay, you can serve....just keep it to yourself. That woman on the phone who said that she was "Army" and was directly asked does not know the rules and or does her chain of command. I'm so sick of everything in the American "eye" having to be so politically correct. Feelings get hurt and people die everday. Homosexuality is wrong, God made conception to happen in one way! The Marine Corps. is a proffesional war fighting organization and we dont care if you are, but you better keep it to yourself. These people nowadays need to quit being such sissies. Honestly, the general public does not understand the "war mentality", they only know what they see on TV in their cushy little world, and quite frankly thats where they need to keep there feelings. Thats all we need is openly homosexuals in my Marine Corps " The Few, the Proud, the "heyyyyyy!"....get real. I cant stand left fielders!
With America's demise armed forces, we simply cannot afford to dismiss, dedicated and trained military personnel from service. My contention is, that we've always had gay men and now perhaps women serving our country! The gay community, at large didn't just evolve, a century ago, they are just more visible! If these men and women complete the basic training and surpass it, to obtain promotions, why should we deny them to opportunity to serve. If it is now acceptable, for us to have openly gay representatives in government serve, why can't the gay community serve in our armed forces effectively. If it is Foley based upon moral issues, They are wounded and killed, to protect us, just as non gay soldiers. In the case of LtChoi, someone who is versed in the language of the enemies that we currently face and many other strategic knowledge, I'd rather have him on our watch, then going back to the draft. Whereby, we enlist, unwilling and inexperienced, soldiers to protect us.
With America's demise armed forces, we simply cannot afford to dismiss, dedicated and trained military personnel from service. My contention is, that we've always had gay men and now perhaps women serving our country! The gay community, at large didn't just evolve, a century ago, they are just more visible! If these men and women complete the basic training and surpass it, to obtain promotions, why should we deny them to opportunity to serve. If it is now acceptable, for us to have openly gay representatives in government serve, why can't the gay community serve in our armed forces effectively. If it is Foley based upon moral issues, They are wounded and killed, to protect us, just as non gay military soldiers. In the case of LtChoi, someone who is versed in the language of the enemies that we currently face and many other strategic knowledge, I'd rather have him on our watch, then going back to the draft. Whereby, we enlist, unwilling and inexperienced, soldiers to protect us.
Obama has way too much on his plate to address this issue right now... How many gays are really being prevented to serve in the military? I noticed plenty of gay guys when I served in the military and some were very open about who they were.... this is really a non-issue right now! !
I am a huge supporter of President Obama, but I srongly believe that this policy is outdated and needs to be changed. President Obama has made the time to work on a wide range of issues some small and some huge and I think this is one that should be a priority. I think if gay people want to serve their country in the military then they shouldn't have to be silenced about their sexuality. I think it is very degrading to them. If they cant talk about their partners and their lives maybe straight military men and women shouldnt be able to discuss their spouses and children. These people are at war and to be told they can't discuss their partners at home whom they love is degrading and unacceptable. I have faith in President Obama and hope he makes the right decision regarding "Don't ask, Don't tell."
I'm happily married with 3 kids. I've never served in the military and have no plans to do so. Don't ask, don't tell has no effect on my life whatsoever, however I strongly believe it needs to be repealed. I don't understand how discriminating against gays/lesbians in the military is any different than discriminating against women or minorities. How can we claim as a country to be spreading freedom (which by the way isn't out job but that is a completely different issue), if we don't embrace those ideals?
I really think this is a non Issue. I"m sure there are more pressing issues to talk about for President Obama. We need to concentrate on the economy.