Politics | 03/02/2009 12:30 pm
Rep. Ellen Tauscher Seeks 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Repeal
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Congress will soon become embroiled in an old — yet necessary — debate: Should openly gay Americans be allowed to serve in the military? President Bill Clinton in the ’90s enacted "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell," which bars servicemen and -women from discussing their sexuality. It was a move that’s been widely criticized by gay activists, pundits and politicians for more than a decade. And now it may become a thing of the past.
Democratic Rep. Ellen Tauscher will today introduce legislation to repeal "Don’t Ask." While President Obama has previously indicated he’s willing to revoke the law, analysts predict this isn’t a battle he’s going to want to take on. Though she hasn’t made the announcement just yet, Tauscher’s staff passed along some prepared remarks to Who Runs Gov:
Many have asked me why now and I have always said that there is no right time to right a wrong. So, today, I am introducing the Military Readiness Enhancement Act. This bill will once and for all end the discriminatory practices of the Department of Defense. It will allow the men and women who have been administratively discharged to have the opportunity to serve again if they want.
On a related note, California’s Supreme Court will soon start hearing oral arguments on the constitutionality of Proposition 8, a ballot measure that successfully overturned an earlier ruling that said same-sex couples deserve marriage rights. Where do you stand on these hot button issues, readers?
Read more about: Armed Forces, Bill Clinton, California, Don't Ask, Don't Tell,, Homosexuality, Lesbians, Military, News, Proposition 8, U.S.
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191 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment
Ah, Clinton’s unprecedented brainless idea! He may have well said, “Just don’t be who you are—at least, don’t tell anyone who you REALLY are.” At the same time, the military doesn’t condone deception. Figure that one out.
Belinda,
The old "theory" was that gays were security risks. Most of this had to do with the fact that gays could be blackmailed by outing them. But, if people are allowed to be out (i.e., who they are), then what is there to blackmail?Clinton thought he was doing gays a favor when he implemented this nonsense. It just pushed people back further in the closet because it was basically saying, “You can be gay and be in the military, just don’t tell anyone.”I think that Clinton is getting a bad rap about the "dont ask dont tell" policy.
I always thought that policy was a "first step" policy….. before the DADT policy, gays were not allowed at all….. so this was a compromise.
The time is well past where this policy needs to be ended….. the time has come where everyone that wants to serve their country should be able to… open and honestly.
I hear you Serena, but my thought has always been the "security risk" issue would be a moot point by simply saying ALL MEN AND WOMEN can enlist in the military if they are deemed mentally and physically fit.
Honestly Serena, sometimes our country makes so many huge leaps forward in how we think, live and believe. And then I am reminded in 2009 we still have Whites Only country clubs, Gays & Lesbians can’t live open lives as anyone else whether here in the states or serving in the military, so many examples of discrimination that is simply accepted as a norm that no one wants to change. We all say we want to, and yet we don’t. Why?
"If" I was gay and serving in the military I would be moving heaven and hell to make sure I was accepted for who and what I am. I would do all I could to make as much noise as possible toward change. I find it curious this isn’t being done.
Hi Roger,
Adultery is hard to prove but it IS punishable in the military. Cohabitation is also against the UCMJ. Fornication used to be illegal but I believe they removed that article from the UCMJ. Change is slow and the military is more conservative than the general population, but change does arrive eventually.
With all these "moral" articles in the UCMJ, keep in mind the offense has to be pretty glaring and blatant, and to have caused some kind of obvious problem, before it actually gets addressed by the commander. Ultimately, the same is true with gays now serving.
no tony…. sex is sex
Homosexual sex is just as much against the bible as sex outside marriage.
Im sure you want to make a distinction between the 2, but God doesnt.
Maybe you should stop whoring around before you try and get all moral on others.
I think the implementation of this policy was because some hetrosexual men dont want to bunk with openly gay men. Yes its wrong but when your sharing a tent with 18 other men, the last thing you would want to worry about is being and the same goes for hetrosexual women and gay women.
Its not that the gays are not allowed to serve in the military others just dont want to know about their sexual preferences.
There isnt too many secrets when your living in such close quarters anyway & when my husband served in Iraq and had port a potties to use for bathrooms, the writing on the walls, literally, said it all.
Is it right, no, but think about it…how many of you women would enjoy getting undressed in front of a gay woman. Really truly think about that before you respond…
No one has the "right" to be in the military. A person is approved or rejected. With the ban being lifted on "don’t ask don’t tell" I believe we will soon see less and less gays being accepted into the military.
"No one has the ‘right’ to be in the military." ?????