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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 lobbyOctober 2nd, 2009
During his election campaign, President Obama committed to ending the military’s ban on openly gay servicemen. Since election, however, he has be reticent to champion this effort, at times appearing to favor inaction.
However, it is becoming rapidly apparent that if Obama is not embarrassed by the continuation of the policy, he’s about the only one who isn’t. Following closely on the heels of an opinion essay in the magazine of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Senate leadership seems to have finally decided that the time is right to begin the process.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D – Nevada) has now officially invited the President to weigh in on changing the policy. (A/P)
the Nevada Democrat is asking President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Robert Gates to share their views and recommendations on the controversial policy.
In Sept. 24 letters to Obama and Gates, Reid also asked for a review of the cases of two U.S. officers who were discharged from the military because of their sexuality.
“At a time when we are fighting two wars, I do not believe we can afford to discharge any qualified individual who is willing to serve our country,” Reid wrote in identical letters to Obama and Gates that were obtained Friday by The Associated Press.
When others have appealed to the President to be proactive, he has dismissed his involvement saying that this is an issue for Congress. It will be interesting to see his response now that Congress has officially invited his input.
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KZ
October 2nd, 2009
Obama will respond by saying he needs BOTH houses of congress to ask for his guidance. And when they do, he’ll say he wants the Supreme Court’s input too. And when both legislative and judical branches ask for his guidance…
David C.
October 2nd, 2009
Enlightened voices from within the defense community are already beginning to call for the repeal of DADT. That is an essential step.
Now the Democratic Senate leadership has asked the President and Secretary of defense to share their views and recommendations regarding an issue the President has repeatedly and clearly articulated his position on.
Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) has already lined up 166 sponsors in the House for a measure to end the ban.
It appears to me that the story from the administration is pretty much unfolding as planned, and that the conditions are favorable for repeal of DADT. Congress is starting to move, and the DoD is too. Obama will not impede progress and I suspect that he will help to establish more momentum.
Richard W. Fitch
October 2nd, 2009
I’ve said it here before and I’ll say it again – If every we wanted a “fierce advocate” on the DADT issue, I am convinced we have it in Rep. Patrick Murphy. When I watched the hearings in July 2008, he skillfully championed the repeal argument and let the likes of Elaine Donnelly make fools of themselves. Admittedly Obama has been slow to act on DADT, but I think he has had a few other things on his mind as well. The strategy of expecting Congress to take the lead is constitutionally correct. Yes – he could suspend the act at any time, but I do not feel that is in his best interest or the interest of finally trashing this despicable law.
Dave Hughes
October 3rd, 2009
Just how impotent is Harry Reid?
He has to ask for advice from Obama and Gates on how to pass a law???
Just introduce it and put it up for a vote!!! Enough talk, already! He’s the Senate Majority “Leader”.
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