President Obama Certifies DADT Repeal

[cal04]

Source: The Human Rights Campaign

After hearing from senior military leaders that repeal posed no threat to the armed forces, President Obama certified the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” His signature of the certification sets in motion the open service of lesbian, gay and bisexual troops. The certification step was part of the legislation he signed in December and now after a 60 day period built into the law, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will be a relic of the past.

HRC President Joe Solmonese released the following statement:

“For far too long, the ban on openly gay service members has harmed our security and tarnished our values. The President’s certification of repeal is a monumental step, not just for those forced to lie in order to serve, but for all Americans who believe in fairness and equality.

“There are many people who brought this historic day to fruition starting with the President’s tremendous leadership and the steadfast allies in Congress who refused to give in to the lies and fear mongering. Additionally we thank all of the brave men and women who have continued to wear the uniform under a policy that forced them to hide who they are. The end of that shameful time is thankfully near.”

Read more: http://www.hrcbackstory.org/2011/07/president-obama-certifies-dadt-repeal-certification/

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President's Statement
http://www.politico.com/politico44/

"Today, we have taken the final major step toward ending the discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law that undermines our military readiness and violates American principles of fairness and equality. In accordance with the legislation that I signed into law last December, I have certified and notified Congress that the requirements for repeal have been met. ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ will end, once and for all, in 60 days -- on September 20, 2011.

"As Commander in Chief, I have always been confident that our dedicated men and women in uniform would transition to a new policy in an orderly manner that preserves unit cohesion, recruitment, retention and military effectiveness. Today’s action follows extensive training of our military personnel and certification by Secretary Panetta and Admiral Mullen that our military is ready for repeal. As of September 20th, service members will no longer be forced to hide who they are in order to serve our country. Our military will no longer be deprived of the talents and skills of patriotic Americans just because they happen to be gay or lesbian.

"I want to commend our civilian and military leadership for moving forward in the careful and deliberate manner that this change requires, especially with our nation at war. I want to thank all our men and women in uniform, including those who are gay or lesbian, for their professionalism and patriotism during this transition. Every American can be proud that our extraordinary troops and their families, like earlier generations that have adapted to other changes, will only grow stronger and remain the best fighting force in the world and a reflection of the values of justice and equality that the define us as Americans."

[ClarkUSA]

1. Thank you, President Obama! You kept your promise.

:party:

[dbackjon]

6. He was dragged kicking and screaming to do this

Only pressure from the Community got this done.


Obama still does not believe in Equality for all Americans

[ClarkUSA]

7. That's a false statement. Pres. Obama made the promise during his campaign and kept it.

Next on the list: the repeal of DOMA. :D

[yardwork]

32. Repeal of DOMA would be wonderful. I hope that Obama shows leadership on that as well.

[ClarkUSA]

38. Yes it would. And he will.

[SpartanDem]

8. Define dragged

If you'll remember he called for DADT in his 2010 state the union speech and he before the end of the year. My perception is that most people were upset that he did start the process sooner not that he opposed the idea or something like that.

[dbackjon]

10. He was pressured into it

I think the concept was fine - just didn't want to bother with it until the political pressure became too much to ignore.


Equality for All Americans is not a priority of this Administration. Never has been. But how could it be, when the President doesn't beleive in equality for all Americans.

[ClarkUSA]

21. Revisionist history. He did it his methodical legislative way, which lots of people disagreed with.

Now the same people are working hard to deny him credit for keeping his promise.

[freshwest]

27. +1

[No Elephants]

45. "Methodical legislative way" Is that Newspeak for political cover, no matter what the cost?

[No Elephants]

47. The lawsuit filed by the Log Cabin Republicans in 2004 was a powerful incentive, too.

D of J fought it tooth and nail at every turn.

If you put the timetable of events in that case up against acts and statements by the Obama administration and Congress, you will see some correlations. Purely coincidental, no doubt.

For example, the D of J asked that their case be, not only dismissed, but declared moot, because of Congress's repeal of DADT in December. IOW, the LCR lawsuit is not to get any credit for its role in ending DADT.

On July 21, the LCR filed a brief saying their case was not moot. DADT was still in full force and effect. The brief cited military discharge proceedings that had been suspended after the court ordered that no one be discharged until the LCR case was over. They were suspended, not dismissed, so the military was free to resume them if the court lifted its order.

The brief also cited the fact that the law repealing DADT itself had specified that DADT would remain in full force and effect until the certifications were made.

Later the very same day, we learned, via a TWEET, for pity sake, that the certifications were coming. And when they did come, we learned that there's a 60 day waiting period. So, the certifications are a little bogus, but will probably be enough for the 9th Circuit to wait to rule on the D of J's mootness motion until the 60 days are up.

[No Elephants]

44. Should have signed an EO on Inauguration Day, instead of insisting

on political cover from BOTH Congress and the Pentagon.


And, yes, he had Constitutional power to do that. And, even if he didn't, Congress would not have sued him, but he did have it.

[CakeGrrl]

16. Moving the goalposts right on time.

Always an excuse not to give him any credit.

[dbackjon]

18. Equality is not a game

Rights delayed are rights denied.


No credit until he comes out for Equality for All Americans, and puts the weight of his office behind that.

Until then, he is, and shall remain, someone that thinks I am a second class citizen.

[ClarkUSA]

22. Neither is acknowledging Pres. Obama's promise kept re: repealing DADT.

[ClarkUSA]

23. Always happens.

[JTFrog]

26. What an incredibly ignorant statement. n/t

[LetTimmySmoke]

2. Promise kept. I will give him due credit on this.

[kestrel91316]

3. Why do I get the unsettling feeling that this is not over? Some freak is gonna

sue over this and force it to continue.

I guess I just find it hard to believe that this is going to be allowed by the freaks on the right.

[SoapBox]

14. Ditto...oh ya and K & R

[No Elephants]

48. Some freaks on the right sued in 2004 to end DADT.

D of J fought them tooth and nail every step of the way, under both Bush and Obama.

[MineralMan]

4. Thank you, Mr. President!

A job well done!

Let the celebration begin!

[dbackjon]

5. And so another 60 days of Gay Discrimination

Spineless "leaders"

[DesertFlower]

9. thank you mr. president.

now please stop this talk about ss and medicare cuts.

[Tx4obama]

11. K&R n/t

[Blasphemer]

12. Wonderful! Now onto the DOMA.... nt

[Vidar]

13. I'll give him credit: he finally kept one of his promises.

[ClarkUSA]

24. Actually, Pulitzer Prize-winning Politifact.com has him at 138 promises kept.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/

[No Elephants]

46. LOL!

[killbotfactory]

15. So even though he DADT is basically ended, he get's no credit

And because he didn't do it in a way some people demanded, they dismiss it as him being forced into it.

All hail the power of people bitching about stuff on internet forums!

[ClarkUSA]

40. He's getting credit where it counts.

I agree with you 100%. Hypocrisy knows no bounds.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

17. Paging Cid_B.

He'll be interested in this news.

[Bluebear]

28. ...

:rofl:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

35. Ooooo, you too have that commie traitor leftist thing called...

...a "long memory", do you?

[Firebrand Gary]

19. Thank you Mr President.

[BumRushDaShow]

20. K&R!

:kick:

[JTFrog]

25. K&R

[frylock]

29. props!

:applause:

[fishwax]

30. excellent news! hope the next 60 days pass without a hitch

The 60 day waiting period is pathetic, but at least now there's an end date. :kick:

[Zenlitened]

31. LGBT activists say, "You're welcome, America."

:applause:

[yardwork]

33. A very important historical moment for our country. An advancement of human rights.

[Politicub]

42. +1

[davidpdx]

34. Wait, I thought Obama hated gays and was a liar

Or at least reading DU the last few weeks you would have thought so. I guess it turns out some people are literally eating their own words.

[fascisthunter]

36. congrats.... the people applied enough pressure

and of course, the military could use every single body they can get.

[ClarkUSA]

39. That's not what did it. Candidate Obama made his promise to repeal DADT while on the campaign trail.

And he kept it, despite many vitriolic and hateful attacks against him and his methodical legislative approach. He was the only one making this promise, too. The one to thank is the person you're loathe to give credit to. If it weren't for President Obama's personal efforts at making sure the Pentagon was fully on board despite early resistance, DADT repeal would still be a pipe dream.

[No Elephants]

49. You think he was not under pressure to make that campaign promise? See also, Reply 47.

[Solly Mack]

37. K&R

[Politicub]

41. Promise kept! K&r

:)

[TomCADem]

43. K & R!

Now lets repeal Prop 8 in California!