The Democrats in Congress are moving full steam ahead with the possible repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” The military’s opinion is being brushed aside so as to further the gay and lesbian political agenda. We previously reported the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ opposition and the letter from Secretary Gates asking the Congress to wait until after the Defense Department’s study is completed on December 1. We also commented on the political advantages of waiting until after the November elections.
Military commanders have been telling the troops for weeks that the review process was intended to ensure that their views were incorporated in contingency planning in the event that Congress changes the law. Changing the process now before completing the review could be harmful because the troops will believe that the whole repeal initiative is an effort to appease supporters of repealing the law. Most of the force opposes the repeal.
In a compromise reached with the White House the Congressional Democrats will repeal the law and add an amendment that precludes the repeal from going into effect until the President, Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff certify that the repeal of the law won’t harm military readiness. In other words they are transferring the responsibility for the repeal to the military. One must wonder what the political necessity is to repeal the law now. Could it be that the Democrats fear that they will not have the votes after November?
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates issued a lukewarm endorsement of the new Democratic plan to repeal the law. Gates spokesman said that: "The Secretary continues to believe that ideally the [Defense Department] review should be completed before there is any legislation to repeal the Don't Ask Don't Tell law." But "with Congress having indicated that is not possible the secretary can accept the language in the proposed amendment."
Gates lukewarm endorsement and mounting opposition from veteran’s groups make passage still problematic.
Gates has said that he supports eventually repealing the policy, but wanted the extensive review of how best to make the change as a vehicle for hearing what the men and women in uniform have to say. He realizes that the Congressional attempt to jam the law’s repeal down the throats of the military could bode ill for the successful integration of gays and lesbians openly into the force.
Michigan Senator Levin, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, recently said he would push for a measure to repeal the law immediately. Gates opposed the idea, saying in a letter that we quoted to the House Armed Services Committee chairman that he "strongly opposed" any changes before completion of the military review. The Joint Chiefs of Staff remain committed to taking the time to get views from troops.
Collecting the views from the force is well under way. A survey will go out shortly to about 70,000 troops and families to solicit their views. In addition town hall meetings already have been held around the country and more are expected. There is also a website that provides a place for troops to write in their views.
What is the rush? Don’t the views of the members of our military who will be affected by the repeal count? Will Congress fund separate housing for gays and lesbians? Should they?
Comments
if someone is good enough to die for their country, shouldn't their country be generous enough to treat them fairly? The military accepted blacks after more than a century of segregation. during Desert Storm, when the Saudis objected to soldiers wearing a cross or a star of david on a chain around their neck, we said "if these men and women are brave enough to die for your country, you have no right to tell them what to wear" - Now, apply that sentiment to the gay/lesbian soldier - apply the same rules on fraternizing that you apply to straight soldiers and leave them alone to do their job.
If only it was as easy as still annoyed suggests. Unfortunately he misses the political agenda of gays and lesbians. He and many liberals could end up with the blood of innocnet gays on their hands. My experience has been that soldiers and marines will not tolerate well gays in their midst. The infomaous blanket parties could follow. This is what Secretary Gates is trying to avoid and what liberals like still annoyed seem to want. Shame on them.
Lesbians are more likely (and often readily) accepted. Gay men and the effeminate perception of it is the biggest issue. But since it is a volunteer military what kind of gays are likely to join? Surely not the leather-clad parade participants in San Francisco. Really the point could have been made a long time ago. If gays wanted DADT to end they should of lined up in droves outside of recruiting stations begging to go to Iraq during the dark days. That would of done more than lobbying. It would have convinced me it was about service not agenda.
ColonelBruce, same argument used against HST racial integration during the Korean conflict. It is no more valid today than it was then. You'll have to find another reason. Makes it sound like the ghost of bigot Ned Almond is still haunting us!
first, I have to ask what a "blanket party" is and why it "could follow" having gays "in their midst" - if our all volunteer army is so corrupt that a soldier feels the need to attack another soldier because of their beliefs, we are in trouble and the terrorists have won.
Any soldier who conforms to the rules and regulations must be accepted. Any soldier who does not should be punished accordingly. Today we have the legacy of the Tailhook parties, rape of enlisted female soldiers by male superiors, and the discharge of soldiers who have honorable and heroic records when they elect to say that they are gay. I guess I have to take issue with the Col here - rape is unacceptable whether it is heterosexual or homosexual. Inappropriate behavior is similarly not to be tolerated. The col must have a low opinion of our current soldiers - lower than mine - let us ask for some current enlisted personnel to chime in on this issue.
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