Gates: No change soon on `don't ask, don't tell'

[tomm2thumbs]

Source: AP Yahoo

WASHINGTON – Don't expect any change soon to the "don't ask, don't tell" policy about gays in the military.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates says both he and President Barack Obama have "a lot on our plates right now." As Gates puts it, "let's push that one down the road a little bit."

The White House has said Obama has begun consulting with Gates and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on how to lift the ban. Gates says that dialogue has not really progressed very far at this point in the administration.
The Pentagon policy was put in place after President Bill Clinton tried to lift the ban on gay service members in 1993.

The policy refers to the military practice of not asking recruits their sexual orientation. In turn, service members are banned from saying they are gay or bisexual, engaging in homosexual activity or trying to marry a member of the same sex.
Gates appeared on "Fox News Sunday."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090329/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/gays_military

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I believe that is the full text -

[tomm2thumbs]

1. At least this line is somewhat promising -

Obama has begun consulting with Gates and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on how to lift the ban.

[biopowertoday]

3. oh yeah, just kick it down the road.

[iamjoy]

2. Isn't DADT Part of The Problem

I mean, we have these wars going on, we need men & women to fight - why should we exclude them based on orientation?

I really don't get it. The military has relaxed recruiting standards to let in high school drop outs and felons, but we can't allow gay people to serve (without lying)?

[TEmperorHasNoClothes]

6. DADT is a problem because it legalizes discrimination and a double standard

I can't understandy why any gay would want to join the military is beyond me. Whether we're involved in war or peace, discrimination is still wrong. We deserve out rights, not just to give heterosexual soldiers respite.

[iamjoy]

16. I Thought That Was Obvious

I just figure it should go without saying that it is wrong to exclude some one because they are gay. I realize some people don't see it that way, though, so that's where the practical argument comes in to the conversation.

I'm not sure I understand why any gay person would want to put his/her life on the line for a country that doesn't give him/her equal rights under the law, either. Then I think that we had Blacks volunteering to serve long before civil rights (and they were treated as less than equal by the military, too). In WWII, Japanese-Americans fought for the same country that interred their relatives without due process. Maybe it was being so loyal and hardworking that they gained the respect they should have had all along.

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. Huh?

>>>>>>have "a lot on our plates right now." As Gates puts it, "let's push that one down the road a little bit.">>>>>>>

How did he manage to send more troops to Afghanistan this week? Shouldn't he fix the economy first?

Me confused.

[Runcible Spoon]

5. That's right silly gays, get back in line.

Keep those donations and votes flowing, but STFU. Don't you know sinking more debt and lives into the Afghanistan quagmire is much more important than your silly little civil rights? Oh, I mean, feel free to sign up and give your life for us, but don't you DARE let anyone know you're gay, mmk?

:sarcasm: :grr:

[Bluenorthwest]

7. As if a nouvelle cuisine plate, with tiny amounts upon it

would make a bit of difference.

[Mari333]

8. corporatist shill

http://www.opensecrets.org/revolving/rev_summary.php?id=50050

[fascisthunter]

9. we live in a country with a neo-fascist governement

the line between both corporate America and government have been erased. Once people start labeling it what it is, others will start to wake up. Never i the media will you ever hear the word "fascism" pertaining to our government. But communist, or socialism.... those words are over-used and abused.

[Zhade]

10. Such fucking bullshit. Always making us wait.

"Change".

[Alamuti Lotus]

11. Hey gays, if you want to kill people in other countries, just keep quiet about it

I paradoxically agree with Gates, they do already have a lot (of killing) on their plates, this seems trivial compared to the more serious issues with the military business.

[ProgressIn2008]

12. January 14, 2009: Obama will end 'don't ask' policy

"Obama said during the campaign that he opposed the policy, but since his election in November he has made statements that have been interpreted as backpedaling. On Friday, however, Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs, responding on the transition team's Web site to a Michigan resident who asked if the new administration planned to get rid of the policy, said:

"You don't hear politicians give a one-word answer much. But it's 'Yes.' ""

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/13/MNTG159HHG.DTL&type=politics&tsp=1

[Bluebear]

13. Sorry, "too much on their plates now".

[Mr. Hyde]

15. somewhere out there, there's still a millionaire banker that hasn't been given a pile of money

priorities you know.

[dflprincess]

20. Apparently, Truman didn't have anything else to do when he desegregated the military

You ever notice how the time is never right for progressive change?

[Freddie Stubbs]

19. He never said WHEN he would lift the ban

[Mr. Hyde]

14. That can't be true, obama said he was going to end that policy.

[No Elephants]

17. Did you hear anyone say he won't end it?

[No Elephants]

18. It's no consolation, but I am very sorry that gays continue to suffer legalized discrimination.