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Monday, February 8, 2010

Let everyone serve
Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, accompanied by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, rear, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010, before the House Armed Services Committee hearing on the Defense Department's fiscal 2011 budget. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Now that the military’s top brass has given its support to repealing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law, the ban against gays serving openly in the armed forces should be lifted as quickly as possible.

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that repealing the ban was “the right thing to do.”
 

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told the committee that it was no longer a matter of if the anti-gay policy should be repealed, but when.
 

The advocacy of the military leaders, although measured, is what has been missing from the debate and should carry weight to help settle the issue finally.
 

The courage and bold leadership shown by Gates and Mullen should be commended, especially in the face of the opposition and scorn shown them by Republican lawmakers at last week’s hearing.
 

It is hoped that their advocacy will finally resolve the debate over homosexuals in the military and help change narrow-minded views that have perpetuated the military’s discrimination based on sexual orientation.


Times have changed, and so have attitudes about gays in the military. Not everyone supports the idea, but polls show that most Americans generally accept it.
 

Gates has ordered a 45-day review of the current law to try to find a “fairer way to enforce it.” But that’s an impossible task, given the inherent unfairness of the policy.
 

Short of repealing the law, the military could take a step toward that goal by immediately suspending the mandatory dismissal of gays who refuse to keep silent about their homosexuality.
 

Gates also ordered a yearlong study to examine what steps would be needed to lift the ban entirely. It would probably take another year to implement it. But you don’t have to wait that long to move the ball forward.
 

There have been numerous studies, surveys, and polls over the years that reached the same conclusion, that allowing openly gay personnel in the military won’t undermine morale, discipline, or unit camaraderie.
 

In his State of the Union address, President Obama said he would make repealing the policy a priority this year. He should fulfill that pledge.
 

Of course, Congress could move the effort along by passing legislation sponsored by Rep. Patrick Murphy (D., Pa.) that would repeal the 16-year-old policy without waiting for another review or study.
 

Murphy, the first Iraq war veteran elected to Congress, has the background to make the case for lifting the restrictions. But his bill is believed to be about 31 votes short of the 218 needed for passage in the House.
 

More than 13,000 troops have been dismissed under the policy, costing the military millions to replace. Those drummed out because of their sexual orientation include highly trained officers, as well as translators and linguists needed in the war on terrorism.
 

With this nation fighting in both Iraq and Afghanistan, it makes little sense to dismiss brave men and women who are willing to put their lives on the line.
 

Twenty-eight countries, including Israel and most of Europe, permit homosexual men and women to serve openly in the military. The United States is behind the times, but our country is ready for change.
Posted by Inquirer editorial board @ 2:00 AM  Permalink | 1 comment
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:35 AM, 02/08/2010
    DADT is discrimination pure and simple, and the government shouldn't wait around for positive poll numbers, surveys and studies to fix this wrong! If the government only acted on polls, then lets poll the american people on politicians and all the perks they receive and what they think should be done about it!
    — ej610


1 comments
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