Box Turtle Bulletin
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 lobbyFebruary 24th, 2010
Over the next few weeks we will continue to hear the opinions of various levels of officers about repealing the ban on service in the military by openly gay personnel.
In an interview on Monday, General Raymond Odierno, the top U.S. commanding general in Iraq, expressed tentative support for gay soldiers (msnbc)
The top U.S. commanding general in Iraq says he thinks everyone — gay and straight — should be allowed to serve in the military “as long as we are still able to fight our wars.”
The comment by Gen. Raymond Odierno is among the first to come from a senior military leader currently leading troops in battle since the Pentagon announced earlier this month that it will study the issue.
Odierno said that he really hadn’t given the issue much thought because it’s always been a “non-issue” to him.
On Tuesday, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey and Secretary of the Army John McHugh both testified before the Senate and expressed concerns about the proposed change but neither took a position of opposition. Both agreed with Mullen’s proposed study but stated their opposition to a moratorium on expulsions while the study is conducted. (CNN)
Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey said Tuesday that he has “serious concerns” over the impact of a repeal of the military’s controversial “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy regarding gay and lesbian service members.
“I do have serious concerns about the impact of the repeal of the law on … a force that’s fully engaged in two wars and has been at war for eight and a half years,” he told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
He agreed, however, that it would be fair to characterize his opinion as not being “strongly” for or against a repeal.
…
Army Secretary John McHugh, also testifying before the committee Tuesday, declined to offer a personal opinion on a possible repeal of the controversial policy. He joined Casey in pointing out potential problems associated with a moratorium on discharges.
Later that day, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz carefully weighed his words but appeared to oppose the change while supporting the study. (Air Force Times)
“This not the time to perturb the force … without careful deliberations,” Schwartz told the House Armed Services Committee.
…
Schwartz said the issue of allowing openly gay men and women to serve needs more study and survey of service members, and that he backs Defense Secretary Robert Gates\’ decision to conduct a year-long review of repealing the law.
Today brought the testimony of Gen. James T. Conway, the Marine Chief, and Adm. Gary Roughead, the chief of naval operations. Conway, who is considered the most resistant to the change in policy appears to have softened his objections and instead of stating his opposition to the change chose to seek to prioritize the way in which the issue is viewed during the study. (boston.com)
In testimony before a House committee, Gen. James Conway said he supports a Pentagon assessment to determine how to lift the ban. But he also suggested that civil rights ultimately would have to take a back seat if it meant tampering with the military’s ability to protect the country.
“That’s what they have been built to do under the current construct and I would argue that we’ve done a pretty good job bringing that to pass,” he told the House Armed Services Committee.
“My concern would be that somehow that central purpose or focus were to become secondary to the discussion,” he said.
Conway also opposed the moratorium on current expulsions. (Stars and Stripes)
“Keep it simple,” Conway said. “I would encourage you to either change the law or not, but in the process half measures would only be confusing in the end.”
Roughead’s statements were similar to the others.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead told House lawmakers on Wednesday that he, too, wants the study to be complete before any changes are made.
“That needs to be done because only with that information can we discuss the force that we have, (and) not someone else’s,” Roughead said.
A pattern appears to evident. No military leaders will oppose the study on the issue, perhaps each hoping that their own perspectives will prevail and in the meantime buying time until perhaps a more favorable Senate will appear. Further, it seems that the politicians in the Pentagon are opposed to the change, while those officers that are fighting wars really couldn’t care less.
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Lucrece
February 24th, 2010
You paint a prettier picture than it actually is.
This sets the study ending to 2011. By that time we will have lost seats, Obama will have breached his promise that DADT would be gone “this year” (2010), and I can bet you my ass that even if the study found in favor of repeal, most Republicans threatening filibuster would still behave in their craven political ways and pander to bigotry by still refusing to take action.
I am not liking the direction of this, at all. Stall, stall, stall; no Congressional leadership.
Looking at DADT as the supposedly easiset goal, how does this bode for housing and employment protection laws, UAFA? A DOMA repeal if the courts don’t strike it down first?
The Democratic leadership is not gonna get larger; the blame Bush shtick can only last them so many elections.
Ben in Oakland
February 24th, 2010
“A pattern appears to evident. No military leaders will oppose the study on the issue, perhaps each hoping that their own perspectives will prevail and in the meantime buying time until perhaps a more favorable Senate will appear. Further, it seems that the politicians in the Pentagon are opposed to the change, while those officers that are fighting wars really couldn’t care less.”
I think that is an accurate assessment.
Lucrece: ditto. stall and stall and stall and hope they don’t have to deal with the non-issue. And that’s the problem. It really is a non-issue, but the individual generals are afraid it might not be, or afraid they will have egg on their face, or whatever.
and our spinelss cogress is just as spineless as they have been for years.
Not with a bang, but a whimper.
johnathan
February 24th, 2010
Lucrece and Ben:
Right on! And then, come election time, the Dems will pander — in all terms of that word — to the LGBT community, begging for support, and insisting they will try even harder next term for repeal because “at least DADT repeal was introduced, but next term will definately be the right time, with ‘your support and $$$.'” Same old speech, same old inaction.
Matt
February 24th, 2010
Believe it or not, I’m starting to empathize with the anti-choice crowd. They keep expecting Roe v. Wade to be overturned and the Republicans always talk big but they — and the “Religious Industrial Complex” — know that if abortion was outlawed tomorrow, they will be out on the street, broke, as all their revenues would dry up.
Even though we are smaller, I think we actually have more power because we are more concentrated and (at least pre-Citizens United) the Democratic party relies on us more than the GOP does on the RIC.
I stopped getting calls from the DNC/DSCC/DCCC since I told them off. They still call my dad (he has always given more to the central command than I do) though even though he tells them he won’t give them anything — only specific candidates.
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