A new report contains some troubling indicators regarding the compromise deal on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal making its way through Congress:

"The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said yesterday that he's comfortable with proposed legislation that seeks to repeal the law that bans gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the military because it includes 'very clear language' that gives senior leaders the final say in whether it's implemented."

Additionally:

After reviewing results of the study, Mullen, the service chiefs and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates would provide their recommendations to President Barack Obama. “So having that information will inform me and our leaders about what our recommendations will be,” he said.

Mullen called the “certification trigger” provided in the proposed amendment critical.
“The language in there right now preserves my prerogative – and I believe, my responsibility – to give the best military advice,” he said.

“That trigger is to certify whether we should move ahead with that change, even if the law were to repeal it,” he told a reporter following the session.

Mullen brought up the issue at the end of his town hall session after no one had asked about it. He occasionally gets questions about it when he meets with servicemembers, the chairman told reporters traveling with him, but just as often doesn't. “I haven't found it to be a particularly burning issue,” he said.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently clarified, in a letter to Congress, that the focus of the military study was not "whether" to implement the ban, but "how" to implement it.

But this was before the new deal surfaced earlier this week.

The fact that Mullen has basically reversed Gates' statement is troubling, to say the least.