Box Turtle Bulletin
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News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyMay 24th, 2010
It’s beginning to look like the stars are aligning. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” may well be meeting its long-awaited end. In a deal worked out between the President and Congressional legislators, the Administration green-lighted a proposal to place the repeal of the ban on LGBT people serving openly in the military in this year’s Defense Authorization bill. This represents perfect symmetry, as it was under an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill of 1993 that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” became law.
Under the proposed amendment, DADT would be repealed this year, but the current policy would remain in place temporarily until two conditions are met: 1) the completion of the Pentagon’s review on how it will implement the repeal of DADT (which is due in December), and 2) certification from President Barack Obama, Defense secretary Robert Gates, and Joint Chiefs chair Adm. Mike Mullen that repealing DADT will not have a negative impact on military readiness, effectiveness, unit cohesion and recruiting, and that the military has the necessary regulations ready to go.
The amendment does not add a non-discrimination policy, but instead returns the authority for such regulations back to the Pentagon. The full text of the proposed amendment is available here (PDF: 28 KB/5 pages).
According to Stars and Stripes, Adm. Mike Mullen has already signed onto the deal.
The Defense Authorization Bill has already been passed out of committee in the House without DADT repeal language. It is expected to be voted on next week. The bill is still in the Senate Armed Services Committee, where the amendment is expected to be added. The language to repeal DADT would either have to be added to the House version of the bill before it is voted on next week, or the amendment would have to make it through the reconciliation process between the two Houses following its passage in the Senate.
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David C.
May 24th, 2010
Well, I will be setting my expectations low—for now.
Many things have to come into precise alignment for DADT to be effectively repealed, and even if Congress gets its part of the job done, the military is still on its own timeline, which could become as protracted as it wants to make it. That means since the current policy remains in force until the Joint Chiefs pronounce themselves ready for that policy to change, we could be looking at many more discharges and a de facto DADT.
Stephen Sprinkle
May 24th, 2010
I am particularly angry about the elimination of the non-discrimination aspect of the bill. This repeal, when it eventually happens, will effectively put us back where we were in 1993, subject to the same unrestrained discrimination that came to be codified into law in DADT. Obama likes to give crumbs. This isn’t even half a loaf.
Edwin
May 24th, 2010
I think you are right Stephen. I was in the service before DADT was ever even thought of. But I just went in hiding who I really was. One of the guys I was stationed with got caught or turned by someone and he was gone in less than a week. No one even knew what happened to him for a few days till one of the SGT’s smarted off about getting him kicked for being gay.
Makes me wonder who is pulling Obamas strings. The way the military drags their feet things will take forever.
Just get rid of the stupid law and get this stupid war over.
My theory is if you can take a picture of the enemy don’t wound them take them out.
Sparky
May 25th, 2010
So no non-discrimination provision and basically leaving it in the Pentagon’s hands to decide how, when and, indeed, IF to keep enforcing it…
This doesn’t seem all good. And if it’s left in the Pentagon’s hands rather than expressly said “you will not discriminate against gays!” then would a future government appointed homophobe be able to bring homophobic policies back?
What’s to stop the powers that be in the Pentagon deciding to implement “DO Ask and Tell them to get out”?
Timothy Kincaid
May 25th, 2010
I believe Rep Pelosi has indicated that she will entertain a motion from the floor to amend the defense bill.
John in the Bay Area
May 25th, 2010
This just sets up an ongoing conflict between the president and gay and lesbian Americans. The president is caving, because of the pressure he is feeling. This may give him a reprieve until Dec 1, but after that, he is the only obstacle in the way of repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. The Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs serve at his pleasure.
The only thing this president responds to is pressure. He isn’t really our friend, but he can be used by gay and lesbian Americans to bring about some good. We just need to recognize that being nice, donating and working for his campaign do not get us influence with this Adminstration. This president will only respond to public hardball tactics. If we learned anything from dealing with this Administration, it is that now is not the time to let up. We need to keep the pressure on. Every step will be a fight, tooth and nail.
John in the Bay Area
May 25th, 2010
We need to keep the pressure on. After December 1, Obama is the only obstacle to repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. He has nobody else to blame at that point.
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