[Vision2020] Deal Backed for Gays in the Military

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of today's (May 25, 2010) Spokesman-Review.

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Deal backed for gays in military
‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ repeal wins support

WASHINGTON – A proposal to step up the repeal of the ban on gays and
lesbians serving openly in the military but still allow the Pentagon time
– perhaps even years – to implement new policies won the White House’s
backing on Monday after administration officials met with gay rights
activists.

The White House budget office sent a letter supporting the proposal to
remove the Clinton-era “don’t ask, don’t tell” law even as the Pentagon
continues a review of the system. Implementation of policy for gays
serving openly would still require the approval of President Barack Obama,
Defense Secretary Robert Gates and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen. How long implementation might take is not known,
but the proposed amendment would have no effect on current practices.

“The proposed amendment will allow for completion of the comprehensive
review, enable the Department of Defense to assess the results of the
review, and ensure that the implementation of the repeal is consistent
with standards of military readiness, effectiveness, unit cohesion,
recruiting and retention,” budget chief Peter Orszag wrote in identical
evening letters to Pennsylvania Rep. Patrick Murphy, Connecticut Sen. Joe
Lieberman and Michigan Sen. Carl Levin – the Democrats leading the push
for repeal.

Murphy, an Iraq war veteran, was expected to introduce the legislative
proposal today.

“Without a repeal vote by Congress this year, the Pentagon’s hands are
tied and the armed forces will be forced to continue adhering to the
discriminatory ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ law,” said Joe Solmonese, president
of the Human Rights Campaign.

The White House had hoped lawmakers would delay action until Pentagon
officials had completed their study so fellow Democrats would not face
criticism that they moved too quickly or too far ahead of public opinion
in this election year. Instead, administration officials recognized it
could not stop Congress in its effort to repeal the 1993 ban and joined
the negotiations.

Hours after activists met at the White House, top Democratic lawmakers met
on Capitol Hill and approved the final version of a brokered deal that
adds the repeal to the annual defense spending bill.

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails."

- Unknown