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News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyFebruary 3rd, 2010
Senator Orrin Hatch (R – UT) talks with Andrea Mitchell about Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.
HATCH: I believe that there are very outstanding patriotic gay people who serve in the military and they aught to be given credit for it. And they shouldn’t have to lie about being gay.
On the other hand I think a lot of people are concerned that if you do away with the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, that literally they’ll come back and ask for special rights and preferences and privileges that others don’t have. I, I don’t see that either.
So, ya know, like I say, I just don’t, I just plain do not believe in prejudice of any kind.
MITCHELL: So you’re willing to vote for the change.
HATCH: Well, I don’t know about that. I’d have to look at it, I’d have to really see, and of course, they recommend, Admiral Mullen said at least a year study by them and then they’ll come out and make the final recommendation. So, at least that’s what I got out of it.
So, I’d like to wait until the end and see what they come up with and see what happens.
But I can see why the people on both sides are upset. I just want to do what’s right.
MITCHELL: So I can put you down as being at least open to the idea. So, uh
HATCH: I am.
MITCHELL: That’s a very interesting statement.
While I would rather hear that Hatch has unequivocal support for overturning the policy, I welcome words of “openness to the idea” from prominent Republicans.
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Edwin
February 3rd, 2010
Another one that says one thing but means he is to chicken to stand up and tell them to do it now. Quit dragging their feet and just sine the thing and say it is over with. All of them are scared of their own shadows. Tell those top supposed big shots to get off their
high horse’s an get this thing done this year
It didn’t take them a year to force Clinton to sign the stupid thing.
Burr
February 3rd, 2010
“I just plain do not believe in prejudice of any kind.”
Except when it comes to marriage eh?
And of course you have to hide behind the “one year study.”
God that was the worst sellout ever. There was no reason to say ONE YEAR.
Rich
February 4th, 2010
So by “special rights” Senator, do you mean “equal rights”? Is that a problem for you? Maybe being treated the same as all other Americans shouldn’t be considered “special” but rather “typical”. Everyone can get on board with that.
customartist
February 4th, 2010
Do Blacks have “Special Rights” in your opinion Mr. Hatch? Simply follow the US Constitution and give Gays the SAME Rights that blacks(and all other citizens) have, and we’ll shut up.
Until that time, You and the rest of the US Government is Participating Actively in denying our Constitutional Rights currently, and we will not stop until we get those rights.
Scott P.
February 4th, 2010
The “one year study” means that he’ll consider it until after the mid-term elections, hoping to pick up a few more republican senate seats and a lot more Republican House members, then go back to ignoring the whole issue.
John
February 4th, 2010
“I just plain do not believe in prejudice of any kind.â€
Orrin Hatch has used that line for years. He betrays himself and his bigotry in the next breath by talking about “special rights” for gays.
It would be very interesting to know what his orders are from the Mormon Church on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. I suspect it is to keep a low profile while quietly trying to push it off or kill it.
Hatch is no friend to freedom and equality. He never has been.
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