Obama: Stop saying, start telling

Where's the timeline for ending 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'?

ADDRESSING the nation's largest gay organization Saturday, President Obama seemed to be channeling his predecessor: being president is hard work.

That essentially was Obama's excuse for why he hasn't followed through on the promises he made to fight for equality for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people, especially to end Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the unjust - and unpopular- policy that keeps gays from serving openly in the military.

Obama repeated that promise again at the Human Rights Campaign dinner Saturday, but not before pointing out all the hard work he's doing on issues that affect everyone: reviving the economy; improving schools; achieving affordable health care; dealing with Iraq and Afghanistan.

"So I know you want me working on jobs and the economy and all the other issues that we're dealing with," he said, and promised (again) that the movement for full equality was headed in the "right direction." But, also once again, he didn't offer a timetable for when we might actually get moving.

At least Obama didn't say he's "got a lot on his plate," the standard refrain of his administration when asked about Don't Ask, Don't Tell. As no less a sage than Jon Stewart put it, "I know you have a lot on your plate . . . but it's chow time, Bro."

Obama already has refused to use the power he has to keep gays from being discharged until Congress repeals the policy. But in Congress, there are encouraging developments. U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, of Bucks County, an Iraq war veteran, has introduced legislation to repeal the policy, and last week hosted an hour of commentary on the House floor on the subject. A similar bill is expected to be introduced in the Senate soon. Both houses of Congress will hold hearings on the subject at which these facts are sure to come up: Don't Ask, Don't Tell has ended the military careers of 13,000 men and women, at least 800 of them in "mission critical roles." Public support for ending the ban is overwhelming. One recent poll by the Washington Post found that 75 percent of Americans support repealing the policy. An article in the Pentagon's top scholarly journal reports that there is no scientific evidence that gay soldiers detract from combat readiness.

What's needed, and isn't happening, is pressure from the president in the form of a timetable for getting it done.

Gays in the military is still a hot-button issue for a few conservatives (fewer all the time), but if they have already branded Obama Hitler over health care, what worse could happen? Besides, there are only a few months left before the 2010 campaign begins in earnest and members of Congress get even more timid.

That's why we are encouraged that tens of thousands of people marched for equality in Washington on Sunday, even though establishment gay leaders said it was a waste of time. A younger, more impatient crowd, they will keep up the pressure. They aren't about to do an Oslo and give Obama a prize for good intentions. We're with them: It's time to stop asking and start telling.

Good Omen

Phillies fans grew up watching a thousand games like the one Monday night, dying a thousand deaths for our team as it kicked away games it could have won. So we knew exactly how anguished the Rockies fans were as they watched the Phils snatch back Monday's game and win the National League Division Series.

Then we realized: These Phillies are the kind of team that makes other fans die a thousand deaths for their teams. Meanwhile, it's great to be alive.