Posted on 01/14/2009 2:34:57 PM PST by Zakeet
President Obama will end the 15-year-old "don't ask, don't tell" policy that has prevented homosexual and bisexual men and women from serving openly within the U.S. military, a spokesman for the president-elect said.
Obama said during the campaign that he opposed the policy, but since his election in November has made statements that have been interpreted as backpedaling. On Friday, however, Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs, responding on the transition team's Web site to a Michigan resident who asked if the new administration planned to get rid of the policy, said:
"You don't hear politicians give a one-word answer much. But it's 'Yes'."
The little-noticed response, made in a video posted on change.gov, made barely a ripple outside blogs focused on the gay community, but that's not surprising, said those who have been pushing to overturn the ban. Not only was Obama's position expected, they said, but support for reviewing or repealing the policy has grown markedly in recent years, including from some unexpected quarters.
The end of "don't ask, don't tell" may not happen immediately, several critics of the policy said. Although they appreciate clarity from Obama on the issue, they anticipate that the demands of the economy and two wars are likely to trump a speedy policy reversal.
"The question isn't if we do it and the question isn't when we do it, it's how we do it," said Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Walnut Creek, whose 2006 bill to repeal the ban earned broad support among Democrats in Congress but did not move forward in the face of a near-certain veto by President Bush.
"I'm going to reintroduce the bill in the next few weeks," Tauscher said. "We've got the American people behind us."
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
If you have no problem sleeping and living in very close quarters with someone who might find you sexually attractive, that’s your business. I submit that MANY in the service WILL have a problem. You can call it what you like, but homophobia is something made up by the homosexual lobby to make what appears to be a very normal feeling among the majority of men into a mental illness.
I have homosexual friends as well. They’re nice people. But that’s completely not the point here.
Obama, like many dems, wants to reinstate the draft. Kerry hates the all voluntary Military. Not enough bitching/complaining like during his time in the Military.
your children are lucky to have a great parent.
During the election we had the marriage question here in FL.
As I left we saw a neighbor and got onto the marriage question.
The neighbor told me that it would affect us normal folk etc etc.
I had to correct her that it would not and that she fell for the lies by them.
Sad thing is that she had already voted but the good news is that it passed over 62%.
Now that margin is large enough for our reps here to get it into their thick heads that we the people of FL do not want it and nor do we agree with it
Iwish you a happy new year for you and you family
good point
If it is a draft then the demo’s would be much larger than they have been
I hadn’t even thought of that (the sensitivity training) but I bet that will be along shortly.
Look, I don’t dislike gay people (I have a gay family member who I love very much). I just don’t think this step is being taken for the betterment of our Armed Services. The military is not about giving everyone an opportunity or the GI bill, etc. It’s about protecting the USA. And so every decision made must be toward that goal. This decision is purely politics and pandering.
I think I get what you’re saying. I hope it doesn’t come to that.
that is now two people you have said this to.
It is an old line used by homo’s and liberals.
Do you honestly believe that if we , I mean all of us on here are against this then we are all not secure in our heterosexuality?
I am quite secure and as I have been called many times a mans man, none of this fairy crap I display.
The women know this as does everyone who knows me.
I do not go with the homo agenda, I think it is perverted and wrong and I certainly do not think that they should have openly homos in the military
I hate to say it, but I’m suddenly reminded of the Catholic church and priests.
I see the situation just as I would with hetereosexual sex. That is, there is an inherent conflict that cannot be tolerated in a combat unit betweeen sexual partners.
I will acknowledge that the situation is much more clouded with homosexuals. I rely on the wisdom of the “common soldier” to figure these things out.
Well, first, no, a clothing optional beach is not a place you would find me. (and I’m sure most people are thankful!)
However, while nudity and sex are not the same, are you really going to sit here and tell me that men don’t think of sex when they see an attractive naked woman?!
I would gladly respond if I knew what you were talking about and if your keyboard/typing skills were better than mine.
When you really get down to it, this will affect a lot of very reliable troops. The friendly live and let live types. The quiet religious guys that don't shove their beliefs down your throat. The loud, tough guys. I can think of a lot of guys or types of guys that I served with that really don't care what you do behind closed doors, but that will balk when forced to teach it like it's a good thing.
As I strive understand the deeper implications of your argument, I wonder if I am too facile about the issue.
Good analysis!
Look, stop blaming the voters, OK? Please remember that not everyone is as politically astute as FReepers. The vast majority of people are just brain-dead morons.
Also remember that if it wasn't for Palin, McNut would have lost in a blowout.
I'm afraid you're right.
That is an issue of fraternization, NOT homosexuality.
Dealing with homosexuals and dealing with the homo agenda are two separate issues. I do not believe that all people who have issues with gays have issues with their own sexuality. My concerns are with the angry crowd. It’s over the top for something that most of us have to deal with every day.
I hoped that would have been clear from my original pot.
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