CQ TODAY ONLINE NEWS
July 5, 2009 – 4:36 p.m.
Military Gay Policy May Change, Says Mullen
By CQ Staff
President Obama may be changing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy addressing gays in the military but the process will be “measured” and deliberate, the nation’s top military officer said Sunday.
“I’ve conversations with him about that,” said Adm. Mike Mullen , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “What I’ve discussed in terms of the future is I think we need to move in a measured way.”
Mullen, appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union,” said the current process of carrying out the policy includes making sure “that we’re executing it in the most humane way possible. It’s very clear what president Obama’s intent here is. He intends to see this law change.
“We’re at a time where we are fighting two conflicts,” he added. “There’s a great deal of pressure on our forces and their families. And yet, again, the strategic intent is clear.”
Early in his administration, President Bill Clinton instituted the “don’t ask” policy. He tried to lift the ban on gays in the military but Congress overrode his plan and instead codified the status quo in an amendment to the fiscal 1994 defense authorization bill (PL 103-160). As a candidate, Obama pledged to end the ban but has not specified a timetable.
Mullen said he and his staff are “internally discussing” how to move forward and “what the possible implementation steps could be. ... And what I feel most obligated about is to make sure I tell the president ... give the president my best advice, should this law change, on the impact on our people and their families at these very challenging times.”
Also appearing on the program was former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, who also served as Joint Chiefs chairman. He said he believed the “the policy and the law that came about in 1993, I think, was correct for the time. Sixteen years have now gone by, and I think a lot has changed with respect to attitudes within our country, and therefore I think this is a policy and a law that should be reviewed.”
Powell did not offer any recommendations, citing the need for all involved to study the issue “and make recommendations to the president and have hearings before the Congress before a decision is made.It is not just a matter of old generals who are, you know, just too hidebound.”
Comments
I fear Adm. Mullen thinks he doesn't know any gay service members as he implies an "us versus them" mentality when he's says he's worried about "the impact on OUR people and their families at these very challenging times." [caps added] Hey, what about the family members of gay and lesbian troops? What about the family of gay serviceman August Provost murdered in San Diego? [http://www.kbmt12.com/news/local/49983692.html] For a warrior, Adm. Mullen, you're kind of a wimpy bureaucrat, as going slow lifting DADT would make your life easier but 70% now think the policy is wrong. Now Harry Truman, he had balls integrating the military by decree. Where're yours Mullen?
I don't think that in 2009 that our civil rights have to be handled with a "measured approach". Every form of bigotry has existed in the military since the founding of the country, be it against women, Jews, blacks, hispanics, etc., and the military removed such boundaries. The Admiral's comments reflect his bigotry and not the reality of the armed forces. Obama, a minority who should understand discrimination, should immediately end DADT and end the careers of those in the military are unable to follow the directions of the Commander in Chief.
We need a national coming out day for the military. When 50,000 gay soldiers come out, and demand ttheir release under DADT, this will end. BTW, I was told by someone who really should know, that half the army nurse corp, M&F, is gay. Lets ind out whether defending America is more important then defending Homophobia
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