World

Obama Faces Dilemma Over Gays In Military

by Barry ORegan | August 8, 2009 at 06:31 am

261 views | 38 Recommendations | 11 comments

Barry Artiste Op/Ed

One would think this would be put on the backburner, but I guess old habits die hard, much like the troops fighting over there, when valuable resources are badly needed to save lives. Gay or not, they are there to do a job, Period! And it seems Gay Soldiers do it just as well as Straight soldier.

2:47pm UK, Saturday August 08, 2009

Robert Nisbet, US correspndent

America's leading gay magazine has accused Barack Obama of failing to deliver on promises to allow homosexuals to serve openly in the US military.

The US army is traditionally thought to be conservative The Advocate said there has been a lack of action by the White House on equality and accused the Obama administration of reneging on a vow to repeal the so-called 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy introduced by Bill Clinton in 1993.

That compromise, which drew flak from both sides of the debate, allowed homosexuals to join the armed services as long as they kept their orientation secret. Since it was introduced, nearly 13,000 people have been discharged, including Alex Nicholson, who was highly prized in his unit for his skills as an Arabic translator. "They read me my rights and proceeded from there to discharge me," he told Sky News.

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tikun

at 07:29 on August 8th, 2009

It works in the Israeli army. When the bullets are flying no one cares what your sexual preferences are.

Barbara McPherson

at 09:18 on August 8th, 2009

Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is simply wrong. If the top leadership shows the way, the culture of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' will fade too.

Mary Richard

at 09:40 on August 8th, 2009

From a U.S. News interview with Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign:

How confident are you that Obama will overturn don't ask, don't tell? I'm certain. The president has made the commitment, and people working for the president that we work with have made the commitment. I have no doubt it will be overturned.

So what's the holdup? The administration views this in the context of the broader issues agenda they are working with Congress on, everything from the economy and healthcare to hate crimes. They see the overturning of don't ask, don't tell along that spectrum as something that will likely happen next spring. I see a road map of six-month windows: the hate crimes bill, then the Employment Nondiscrimination Act, then don't ask, don't tell. And the administration is building a case in the military leadership and Congress and the rank-and-file members of the military.

So you think LGBT complaints of White House foot-dragging are unfair? I don't see them dragging their feet. But where the LGBT community is feeling frustration is that the road map and timetable have not been made as clear to them. Sometimes there is simply the need for reassurance from the president. I've seen a great deal less frustration since the president spoke on June 29 [the Stonewall anniversary] and recommitted to [our] issues. And the president signed the memo expanding the nondiscrimination policy for federal employees and calling on Congress to give him a bill extending healthcare benefits to domestic partners. It's probably as frustrating to him and his administration that things are not moving as quickly as we would like.

Rhonda J Mangus

at 18:03 on August 14th, 2009

Blue Crush, thanks for the additional information. However, there are some who are asking the question, "Will the real Joe Solmonese please stand up?"

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 10:42 on August 8th, 2009

We have had gays openly in the Canadian military since the mid 90s. Before that they were there, but in the closet. To deny them their basic rights is just a pile of ... The dynasaurs need to wake up and smell the roses. The world has changed and so has people's tolerance. It is the top brass in the U.S. military that is sending the wrong message. The President needs to show courage and tell Congress to overturn the foolish "Don't ask, Don't Tell policy.

I fully agree with Tikun when the bullets are flying and somebody has to cover you, you don.t ask if the cover is gay or straight.

158

at 12:05 on August 8th, 2009

Most gay people and liberals will not vote republican so Obama has nothing to gain politically from making change

He would lose votes from some in the center.

My guess is he will change it after he is reelected.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 12:27 on August 8th, 2009

In this day and age looking at it strictly from a politics point of view is shortsighted and dangerous. In the long run it would cost him. From my understanding, Congress has to make the change. I understand the Bill Clinton did not get DADT into place by executive order but that it was legislation by Congress.

Barry ORegan

at 17:56 on August 9th, 2009

Hence why all politicians, including Obama, can be and always will be hypocrites, preferring to pander to voters when they make a political platform when seeking election. Nothing will ever change, course if a secret service agent and closet Gay saved his kids from harm, one would think Obama would change his tune. But then and only then would he rethink it when it hits close to home (o) Thanks for your comments

Barry ORegan

at 10:56 on August 10th, 2009

Thanks Everyone, my question is Obama says everyone is equal in America, (Apparently Not!) and Obamarama has to practice what he preaches. After all he of all people should understand discrimination, if he doesn't, then perhaps he isn't the president people who voted for him, Gays included, who thought he was?

bettermakings (not verified)

at 17:29 on August 14th, 2009

it'll probably be a republican president in 2013 who allows gays in the military. think about it. Obama wants to protect the gays from the dangers of war, right?