Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen told George Stephanopoulos on This Week that the military is still assessing the impact of repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and would not start a timeline until Congress acts.
Said Mullen: "The president has made his strategic intent very clear, that it's hisintent at some point in time to ask Congress to change this law. I think it's important to also know that this is the law,this isn't a policy. And for the rules to change, a law has to bechanged."
Watch it, AFTER THE JUMP…
Aubrey Sarvis of the Servicemember's Legal Defense Network responds to Mullen's remarks: "I'm all for a 'measured, deliberate' path, as Admiral Mullen put it,but at some point the White House has to have a plan to get repealthrough this Congress. We have to get beyond mere intent. 'Intent' isnot a plan and it isn't action and so far President Obama hasn't askedCongress to change the law…What we don't need is yet another study or national commission to lookat repeal. We all know those commissions involve delay and more delayand "kicking it down the road" more that a little bit. I say, puttogether a working group within 30 days. Have them focus onimplementing open service and charge them to report back to thePresident within 90 days with a detailed plan and a timeline and how toget it done in this Congress."
Watch the This Week segment, AFTER THE JUMP…
