Don't dawdle over don't ask

[joeycola]

Yes, there has been enough of the dawdling--it is past time for ACTION from our President to make us all first class citizens.




http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2009/10/23/obama_should_stop_dawdling_over_dont_ask_dont_tell/

Don't dawdle over don't ask
October 23, 2009


ON THE campaign trail and again earlier this month, President Obama promised to end the “don’t ask, don’t tell’’ policy that imposes silence on gay men and lesbians in the military. It is past time for the president to translate his words into action. The Clinton-era law, which prohibits gay servicemen and women from disclosing their sexual orientation, represses those who serve their country and is a glaring symbol of the nation’s failure to ensure equal rights.
.

Early in his presidency, Obama indicated he would delay action on this policy until he consulted military officials and congressional leaders on how to go about it. But Obama is the commander in chief. He shouldn’t count on Congress to take the lead on the issue, and he shouldn’t wait for broad consensus to emerge before taking action. No amount of behind-the-scenes discussion will sway those who simply oppose the idea of letting gays and lesbians serve openly. In the meantime, the military continues to discharge qualified service members, many of whom have undergone specialized training at significant public expense.

The “don’t ask, don’t tell’’ catchphrase aside, the existing policy has been used as the basis for inquiries into the sexual orientation of thousands of people suspected to be gay. The military should be spending its energies elsewhere. Strong leadership is the best way to reform a hierarchical system, and that must come from the president.
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[JackintheGreen]

1. But as has been pointed out on this board before

DADT is a law, enacted by Congress and signed by Clinton in 1993. Obama cannot simply wave a wand a make it go away. Either Congress has to be convinced to repeal the law, or the law must be found unconstitutional. Neither of these is what might objectively be called "fast."

[Bluenorthwest]

2. Who said wave a wand?

The OP called for strong leadership by the President on DADT, which is exactly what the candidate promised to deliver without hesitation. There has been hesitation. It is time to see that promise filled. The promise he made, to lead without hesitation. No wand required when one has a Bully Pulpit.

[JackintheGreen]

4. "Dawdle" denotes idle time-wasting

The OP (or the columnist) might merely have meant that Obama needs to take leadership is this, and in fact stated as much, but the verb choice suggests a belief that this can be accomplished instanter. All I meant to point out that that it cannot.

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. Congress can act quickly when it wants to

It didn't take Congress a year to pass TARP legislation.

[joeycola]

5. so can Obama. Both are dawdling.