Asking and telling

Posted By Thomas E. Ricks Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - 5:18 PM Share

This note should remove any doubt that old Obama intends eventually to lift the "don't ask, don't tell" ban on being openly gay in the military.

I think it also is clear that he wants to do it as non-controversially as possible, with all the groundwork laid quietly. The funny thing is, I am pretty sure I have met many openly gay people in the military.

Windy City Times

EXPLORE:HUMAN RIGHTS, MILITARY, OBAMA ADMINISTRATION

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DATROY

6:10 PM ET

May 12, 2009

There is way too much of a

There is way too much of a willingness to praise Obama for doing something (or promising to do something) as if he had actually done it. Given the number of Obama's statements/promises that have so far reached their expiration date, you'd think people would want to wait until he actually carries through with his promises before heaping praise on him.

TOM RICKS

10:12 PM ET

May 12, 2009

Praise?

I don't see any praise in this item--just straight commentary.
Best,
Tom

DATROY

12:05 AM ET

May 13, 2009

Tom, Maybe praise was the

Tom,

Maybe praise was the wrong word. What I meant was that there is too much of a willingness to accept that Obama will do what he says he'll do. That healthy skepticism that we're supposed to have that politicians will do what they say is completely abandoned when it comes to Obama. There's nothing wrong with this per se, it's just inevitably going to lead to disillusion and disappointment.

HCC

12:49 AM ET

May 13, 2009

Lip Service

Until the Obama Administration actually takes some action, besides removing the campaign promise to repeal DADT from the WH website and then replacing it with a watered down version when they got caught. Notes like this will remain nice but purely lip service.

CHARLESF

1:26 PM ET

May 13, 2009

My take

It's long overdue that the US follows the example of most European countries, Israel, Canada, Australia etcetc and allows gays to serve in the military.

More than 12000 were fired because of this inane policy. It's not as if the US armed forces can spare any qualified personnel...

Couldn't the administration repeal the policy with one simple executive order? Apparently Obama believes it takes congressional approval whereas I understand some legal experts believe the administration can lift it itself.

I hope this isn't a case of dragging one's feet out of political timidity. That wouldn't make any sense. The great majority of Americans 70-80% are for repealing the policy. As for opponents in the military, well, as employees they'll have to respect the policy. Quite simple. Much as those in the military opposing de-segregation had to in the 40s.

Repealing this ASAP really is a no-brainer. Really, this should have been on the president's desk for signing in his first week in office.

I can only imagine how angry gays and especially those subject to this discriminatory policy must be. High time to move the military into the 21st century on this.