Obama Want's To Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

[Aaron]

Link to the Lord of Change

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Barack Obama says if elected president he won't require that his appointees to the Joint Chiefs of Staff support allowing gays to serve openly in the military.


Sen. Barack Obama said Thursday a repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell' is possible if he's elected.

The Democratic presidential front-runner told The Advocate, a gay magazine, that he wants to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays, which was instituted during the Clinton administration.

He said his priority for the Joint Chiefs will be that they make decisions to strengthen the military and keep the country safe, not their position on the policy.

"I would never make this a litmus test for the Joint Chiefs of Staff," Obama said in an interview with The Advocate.

"But I think there's increasing recognition within the Armed Forces that this is a counterproductive strategy," he said. Video Watch more of Obama's stance on Iraq »

"We're spending large sums of money to kick highly qualified gays or lesbians out of our military, some of whom possess specialties like Arab-language capabilities that we desperately need. That doesn't make us more safe."

The Advocate provided The Associated Press with excerpts of the interview, posted on its Web site Thursday.

The interview comes after Obama was criticized by gay advocates for not speaking to the gay media.

The Philadelphia Gay News last week ran a large blank space on its front page next to an interview with Sen. Hillary Clinton to highlight that Obama did not talk to the publication.

"The gay press may feel like I'm not giving them enough love, but basically all press feels that way at all times," Obama told The Advocate.

He said he's frequently spoken out against homophobia and in support of gay rights.

Asked what he could reasonably accomplish for the gay community as president, Obama said he can "reasonably see" repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy as well as signing legislation to ban workplace discrimination against gays.
advertisement

He said he'd like transgendered people to be covered by the law, but thinks it would be tough to get such legislation through Congress.

Obama also said he's interested in ensuring that same-sex couples in civil unions get federal benefits.

What else is there to say except: about goddamn time. Really if I was a Yank, I'd already vote for him in a heartbeat. This is just more ammo to prove that the other candidates are obselete.

[Duskofdead]

What else is there to say except: about goddamn time. Really if I was a Yank, I'd already vote for him in a heartbeat. This is just more ammo to prove that the other candidates are obselete.

It is a shame that this has even remained an issue this long. Though there is more needed than just a repeal of don't ask, don't tell. There need to be crystal clear guidelines that violence against, and harming the career of, someone on the basis of their sexual orientation is absolutely out of bounds and will have severe repercussions. If I were gay and wanted to join the military I am not sure that I would even with don't ask, don't tell repealed because I know how the "attitude" among many guys in the U.S. military is, and wouldn't want to wind up in an ICU just because some guy and his buddies took exception.

[Monroe]

I like how 'Don't ask Don't tell' sounds by just its name. That it shouldn't be anyone's business. But I don't agree with the kicking people out (chapter 15) when they are found to be gay.

[Aaron]

I like how 'Don't ask Don't tell' sounds by just its name. That it shouldn't be anyone's business. But I don't agree with the kicking people out (chapter 15) when they are found to be gay.

It's interesting how most of the NATO militaries are fine with gays but the US continues to persecute them because their soldiers can't mature past high school.

[Monroe]

I don't see how that comment makes any sense.
I also don't think women should be infantry.

[Aaron]

I don't see how that comment makes any sense.

Pardon?

I also don't think women should be infantry.

Ok...it's not for all women. There's only a handful in the CF for example with only one being an officer. Just because their allowed to be doesn't mean they are capable of doing it. Most men can't hack it as one either.

[Duskofdead]

I like how 'Don't ask Don't tell' sounds by just its name. That it shouldn't be anyone's business. But I don't agree with the kicking people out (chapter 15) when they are found to be gay.

It's interesting how most of the NATO militaries are fine with gays but the US continues to persecute them because their soldiers can't mature past high school.

Well said and very true. It fails to get through many skulls that someone being gay doesn't mean they're going to kiss you, rape you, or sit around fantasizing about you. And that even if you suspect somoene likes you, you should be a mature adult professional and not sit around obsessing over how icky you think it is.

[Aaron]

Well said and very true. It fails to get through many skulls that someone being gay doesn't mean they're going to kiss you, rape you, or sit around fantasizing about you. And that even if you suspect somoene likes you, you should be a mature adult professional and not sit around obsessing over how icky you think it is.

The most common saying is "I don't want him checking out my ass in the foxhole when he should be doing his job". Don't flatter yourself buckwheat, I served with several gays and a couple lesbians and no one was that overt. In fact it was the straight guys that were the most unprofessional. Even then, after the second day in the field your so dirty and tired that it's a stretch to jerk off let alone screw.

[Duskofdead]

Well said and very true. It fails to get through many skulls that someone being gay doesn't mean they're going to kiss you, rape you, or sit around fantasizing about you. And that even if you suspect somoene likes you, you should be a mature adult professional and not sit around obsessing over how icky you think it is.

The most common saying is "I don't want him checking out my ass in the foxhole when he should be doing his job". Don't flatter yourself buckwheat, I served with several gays and a couple lesbians and no one was that overt. In fact it was the straight guys that were the most unprofessional. Even then, after the second day in the field your so dirty and tired that it's a stretch to jerk off let alone screw.

I don't like smiling at rude, ugly clients who are being nasty to me but hey... work is work ey? The military should be about serving one's country and defending it, not a post-school fraternity.

[Aaron]

I don't like smiling at rude, ugly clients who are being nasty to me but hey... work is work ey? The military should be about serving one's country and defending it, not a post-school fraternity.

There tends to be alot of rural and people who come from poor education in the military. That usually spells conservative values, there's a lot of good people in to but the stereotype of a soldier being a dumb, randy, throwback is around for a reason.

[Monroe]

Inner city outnumbered rurual in my basic unit. Suburbia outnumbered all in my rehabilitation program.

[Aaron]

Inner city outnumbered rurual in my basic unit. Suburbia outnumbered all in my rehabilitation program.

What's your point? The majority of the US Military votes Republican.

[Teaos]

I wonder what gay people in the military think of the "dont ask, dont tell" law. I can' imagin they would mind to much. After all they wouldnt be allowed to be in a relationship anyway.

Just to make it clear I think it was a stupid law. But as far as stupid laws goes it was a kinda minor one. I'd rather them finally being given the right to marry over this.

[Aaron]

I wonder what gay people in the military think of the "dont ask, dont tell" law. I can' imagin they would mind to much. After all they wouldnt be allowed to be in a relationship anyway.

Just to make it clear I think it was a stupid law. But as far as stupid laws goes it was a kinda minor one. I'd rather them finally being given the right to marry over this.

They'd have to take the Sodomy regs out of the UCMJ if they do this, those are bunk anyways. They only use it when they can't get you on anything else, same deal for the adultery regs.

[Jabber Swarky]

Hmm. Now, this is interesting.

And im probably going to offend a lot of people with this post, so... I'm sorry. I'd like to say that I'm trying not to give opinion here, just pointing out stuff that I've observed..

Now, I know a fair amount of people who are in the US Marines through the chatrooms and games I play over the internet. One particular client I use, Furcadia, has a whole bunch of people in the marines on it.

Furcadia, as you've probably guessed, is a Chat and Rp client for Furries. And I'm aware that the furry mentality already has people skewed towards Bi/homosexuality, because, frankly, most of us seem to be xD But, every single US soldier I know through Furcadia, and its about... ohh... 8, 10 of them? So it's not a very big sample, I know. But EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM is Bisexual or Homosexual. Hmm.

Mind you, they are all in the same unit, and they all are Artillery. So maybe... Well, i dunno. I seem to have put my foot in my mouth with this post xD

ANYWAY back on topic: Im really pleased that Obama wants to tackle this, and he's being logical about it. Kicking valuable people out just because of their sexuality when they have valuable skills is just dumb, and its weakening the military. I'd really want to vote for the guy... its a shame, seeing as none of the Uk's current politicians really thrill me.