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News and commentary about the anti-gay lobby“Now you must raise your children up in a world where that union of man and box turtle is on the same legal footing as man and wife…”
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyMay 7th, 2008
One of the defenses made in support of continuing the military’s anti-gay Don’t Ask – Don’t Tell policy is that senior military strategists oppose gay soldiers from serving openly. Well, it doesn’t get more senior than the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Speaking at West Point this weekend, Admiral Michael Mullen was asked his opinion about the impact if the incoming administration were to be supportive of gay servicemembers. According to PinkNews,
Speaking to graduating cadets at West Point military academy on Sunday, Admiral Mike Mullen said that the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy enacted by Congress in 1993 is a law that the Armed Forces follow.
“Should the law change, the military will carry that out too,” he said.
This is the second time that Mullen has appeared unfazed by the notion of openly gay soldiers. During his confirmation he told the Senate,
“I really think it is for the American people to come forward, really through this body, to both debate that policy and make changes, if that’s appropriate.
“I’d love to have Congress make its own decisions with respect to considering repeal.”
Without the public support of military leaders or prominant politicians, it is surely only a short time before this misguided policy is scrapped for good.
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L. Junius Brutus
May 8th, 2008
A welcome change from that Peter Pace fool.
I was thinking the other day, why the Senators didn’t follow up when he said that he favored the expulsion of gay soldiers because of his ‘upbringing’. Since he railed against all sex outside of marriage, he should have been asked whether he also favored expelling soldiers with girlfriends. If he doesn’t, he is a hypocrite, then he favors wrecking the military as well as being a hypocrite, because he never brought up that subject, and I bet it’s more common.
They should have gone for the kill, but they were too incompetent, so it seems. Ah, these politicians. I appreciate that they brought it up though.
Pepe Johnson
May 8th, 2008
During his confirmation hearings last August, Adm. Mullen was questioned about gays in the military by Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and said, “I really think it is for the American people to come forward, really through this body, to both debate that policy and make changes, if that’s appropriate.”
This most recent statement is even more direct and clear-cut showing what the admiral’s beliefs are. Good change often comes slowly.
Pepe Johnson
May 8th, 2008
I found this today:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49771
When Adm. Mullen gave his speech, he also commented, “You are joining a military that is more diverse, more representative of our country than any military we’ve ever had. There is great strength in that, great benefits. And we are a military that must represent our country.”
This confirms what he meant about changing DADT and is a great indicator of how far our military, and even society, have come regarding race, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, etc. Of course, there is always more work today.
Duncan
May 9th, 2008
Personally, I hope the policy will stay, because I have this wonderful idea to satirize it (think: the natural extension of ST:VOY 5:04, together with standing orders in Starfleet dating from the Dominion War.) But it does look as if “Don’t inquire, don’t inform” will be outdated if it ever reaches the screen. Satire has such a short shelf-life.
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