Oct 13, 2009 at 12:21 AM
President Obama made a committment to the Human Rights Campaign to end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. The policy disallows anyone who...
"demonstrates a propensity or intent to engage in homosexual acts" from serving in the armed forces of the United States, because "it would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability."
This is a matter of human rights. It seems pretty simple, Mr. President. Just sign an executive order to overturn this policy. It is not a hard decision.
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i don't understand what is taking him so long. he has shown such great respect for rights in every other aspect of his presidency...
Technically, President Obama can only stop the discharge orders - he can't actually overturn the law by himself according to the federal statute that governs this policy: Section 571 of the FY1994 National Defense Authorization Act, codified at 10 U.S.C. § 654.... more commonly known as “don’t ask, don’t tell”.
It's up to a Democratically controlled Congress and then a stroke of the pen by the Executive branch to overturn it.
IMO, keeping with human rights would preclude the theft of money from nice family's budgets to fund a band of costumed thugs, so whether participating gays are allowed to be out or not is besides the point.
I am a supporter of gay marriage and equal rights so I admire the sentiment, but as ugly as the policy is, I have to agree with Chip.
I support "don't ask don't tell," as a way for people to get out of the murderous Imperial Army.
They voluntarily joined that "murderous Imperial Army". The military's jobs and requirements are not kept secret, so they knew what they were getting into.
But, you feel that because of their sexual orientation they should be given the option of getting out, because they've most likely decided they'd rather live the easy life back home than honor their committment to give their blood, sweat, and tears for a mission they, again, volunteered for.
Typical.
Do you think none of those heterosexual soldiers and sailors second-guess their decision to join the military once they've gotten into the think of things? The difference is they realize they took an oath and made a committment to do a job, to give of themselves for something they believe in. It's not a decision to be made lightly. And once made, it speaks of that person's character whether they stay committed to it or not.
Using one's sexual orientation as an excuse to be able to get out of a difficult situation just shows one's true character. Is that the kind of person you are proud to know?
I take different approach to this, in part I like "don't ask don't tell." I like the idea that the military doesn't need to ask and you don't need to tell because it shouldn't matter, we are all individuals and we all have equal rights. Do they need to ask or do I need to tell them I'm Christian, or white, or like to walk around my apartment naked? No!
However, if one does "tell" then that should not equal their ejection from the state military. So congress overturn this law, Obama, sign it, but military, continue the encouragement of the "don't ask don't tell" cause what anyone's individual preferences are- well, they are irrelevant for the job.
I completely agree with both of your points.
The military should first and foremost be disbanded.
However, "You don't need to tell" is missing the point. If you do tell you will be discharged. If you were discharged for talking about your christianity or your ethnicity you would feel slighted.
The injustice in a don't ask don't tell policy has never been anything but the fact that you CAN get discharged for telling. Simply agreeing with the wording of the law, like supporting the Patriot act because it contains the word patriotism, has little bearing on whether this is a good law.
Perhaps ending this policy is a preparation for the draft because many heterosexuals would simply claim homosexuality in order to retain ownership of their lives.
You honestly think our military members are so lacking in honor and integrity that they would do something like that?
It's sad that you have such a negative view of a group of people who dedicate years of their lives for something that they feel is important.
I think he means people who aren't yet in the military -- i.e. people who have not been drafted and do not wish to be.
Hitler thought using the Jews as a scapegoat was important. Ideas are often misguided. Also, he was talking about a draft and not about current members of the military.
Thanks Bonnie and George for clarifying that for Mindy.
Ok, if I misinterpreted what you wrote, I appologize.
Is it a human right to steal money from taxpayers and use it to kill foreigners? To cause blowback and thus national security issues?
The military is a negation of liberty just like any other government entity.
I disagree that the military is a a negation of liberty. Unless you are talking about a draft, which in that case, perhaps (like Barry) you should be more clear in your statement.
Is anybody else fuzzy on the part where Obama can't control his own military? Maybe I'm wrong, but as Commander in Chief, he is the supreme commander of the United States Armed Forces. If he gives an order, aren't the military ranks under him required to follow it?
Even beyond a signing statement, all Obama has to do is say that the punishment for violating DADT is... well, nothing. Law's still on the books, but punishment is not enforced. Like jaywalking...