07/07/2009
Palm Monday: Toward a More Humane Don't Ask, Don't Tell
The Palm Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara, issued a legal memo Monday suggesting what Defense Secretary Robert Gates might do if he is seriously interested in "a more humane" approach to applying Don't Ask, Don't Tell that will end with "changing the policy."
Suggestions include that he order the retention of targeted members due to the country's security requirements and that he demand approval over any inquiries in the first place.
It's not a full repeal, but Time points out this sort of "tweak in other nations' prohibitions on gays in the military have opened the way to their repeal," citing Great Britain and Israel as examples.
Posted 10:34 AM EST by Matthew Rettenmund in Barack Obama, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Military, News, Robert Gates | Permalink
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obviously not a high enough priority for the administration to figure it out for themselves...
Posted by: Rick | Jul 7, 2009 10:50:44 AM
A sensible first step. And Rick's right, they should have come up with this on their own, and months ago. Keep the pressure on.
Posted by: Clay | Jul 7, 2009 11:10:45 AM
"Humane" discrimination is an oxymoron. This line of so-called progress is inexcusably stupid and insulting.
Posted by: elcamino | Jul 7, 2009 12:37:16 PM
As I try to continually point out, our military currently serves with countless OUT gays and lesbians on a daily basis thru our more enlightened work with our allies. The United State's excuse that it will somehow effect unit cohesion or readiness hasn't plagued our allies, nor has it plagued our ability to work with them. Its time to end DADT *IMMEDIATELY*.
Posted by: Jim in MN | Jul 7, 2009 12:51:00 PM
@ Jim in MN: You are so right. European military does not differenciate between gays and straights......they serve together and have done for years. Isn't it time for the Us military to get over their bigoted homophobia ?
Posted by: JackFknTwist | Jul 7, 2009 2:45:26 PM
I've got a better idea. End it.
Posted by: Derek Washington | Jul 7, 2009 5:03:17 PM
The real point here is that there are thousands of gays in the military and there always have been!!! Only a handful are being discriminated against. All discriminaiton must end! DADT is an out for slime who have an axe to grind. I feel this way, if you are being made guilty by innuendo, and you do not reveal yourself, you should be left alone!
Posted by: bill | Jul 8, 2009 12:10:51 PM