HEADLINES: Gays being kicked out of military at steady rate; Pentagon: DADT will stay

[Bluebear]

It's OK. The fired soldiers were only singing one song.

====

WASHINGTON -- A steady number of troops are being discharged from the US military for being gay, according to the latest Pentagon statistics, which show that 619 troops were kicked out last year under the controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy that bars homosexuals from serving openly in the ranks.

The figures, which are on par with the previous four years, are bound to spark a new outcry from gay rights advocates who have grown frustrated with President Obama's unwillingness so far to take steps to lift the ban, despite a campaign pledge to do so.

Of the discharges for the fiscal year that ended September 30, 410 were male and 209 were female, according to the figures obtained by the Globe from Pentagon personnel officials. That compares with a total of 627 discharges in fiscal year 2007; 612 in 2006; 726 in 2005; and 653 in 2004.

The new statistics come to light as the Obama administration comes under growing pressure to use his executive powers to place a moratorium on the discharges while he lobbies Congress to overturn the controversial 1993 law -- which was enacted as a compromise after then-President Bill Clinton set off a mutiny when he tried to allow gays to serve openly in uniform.

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2009/05/gays_being_kick.html

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military says it has no plans to repeal the "don't ask-don't tell" policy regarding homosexual troops.

Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said Tuesday the military's top leaders have had initial discussions with the White House about whether gay troops should be open about their sexuality.
Morrell said the White House has not asked for the 1993 policy to be scrapped.

"I do not believe there are any plans under way in this building for some expected, but not articulated, anticipation that 'don't ask-don't tell' will be repealed," Morrell told reporters at the Pentagon.

President Barack Obama committed during the 2008 presidential campaign to act to end the Clinton administration-era policy.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30830397/

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

1. But clearly Obama is just not repeating Bill's mistake

:eyes:

[DURHAM D]

4. Hog wash. n/t

[Pisces]

2. Maybe there are a lot of straight people claiming to be gay to get out of the military.

[Bluebear]

3. You couldn't have possible hit send with a clear head after typing that.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

5. Umm...err...

EPIC. FAIL.

[Bluebear]

9. I'm still digesting the stupid.

[Stinky The Clown]

14. Oh No You DITINT

You did, didn't you?

You actually said that, right? I mean ... I just read it.

You really did say that, didn't you?

[konnichi wa]

15. I don't blame them...that damn draft is the shits.

...

[Brooklyns_Finest]

16. It happens

Before we were deployed to Iraq (04/2003), the cowardice in some of my company members came out in full force. We had a few guys claim mysterious illnesses, another guy sot himself in the leg, and a third guy go absent without leave (UA). The guy who went UA was a quiet fellow. I did not know him well. When he didn't show up to formation in the morning we went looking for him. When we checked his room, we found a letter stating that he did not want to be a Marine anymore. In that letter, he also stated that he was gay and that we shouldn't bother looking for him. I am sure he was full of crap about being gay, and the police did eventually find him. I don't know what the brass did with him, but he never returned to our company.

I have never known anyone to be discharged because of sexual orientation, but I have known people who got discharged for other reasons (drugs, crime, mental, health). However, I wouldn't put it pass some scum-bag Marines from lying about their sexual orientation to get out of service. I know of a female soldier who purposely got pregnant in Iraq (2003) just so the Army could send her back to the states. As soon as she got back home, she had an abortion. After I heard that story, I will put nothing past the 10% scum that infects our great military.

[MarjorieG]

6. Wonder if Christian fundies within military make it harder to stay and to change DADT

[TwilightZone]

7. The AP headline re: DADT is misleading.

Now, there's a shock.

Gibbs indicated a week ago that Obama wants it repealed. The article also states: "They're aware of where the president wants to go on this issue, but I don't think that there is any sense of any immediate developments in the offing on efforts to repeal `don't ask-don't tell'," Morrell said."

"No immediate plans" does not equate to "no plans". Not even remotely close.

To be clear, I'm all for doing it ASAP - it needs to be repealed, yesterday, if not sooner. But, the MSM never really changes. Twisting words is their MO.

[Bluebear]

8. There will come a time when it won't be the media's fault, but people holding Obama to his promise.

[TwilightZone]

12. When is a campaign promise considered unfulfilled?

I do not mean that sarcastically, but it's a thought that I've had more than once lately.

Obama promised to repeal DADT. If he does it, say, next year, is that still a fulfilled promise? Or has the promise already been broken because he didn't do it immediately?

To be clear, I want it repealed yesterday, if not sooner. But, I'm also a realist and understand that there are many priorities in the administration, and his idea of where each should lie is likely different than mine. I generally accept that until he gives me reason not to.

I'm just curious as to why so many people think that the issue is dead, claim that Obama has already broken his promise, when Gibbs specifically said *last week* that Obama intends to repeal it.

[livefreest]

17. President Obama

has broken his promise toward each person in the military who has been discharged or are in the process. His betrayal started on January 20,2009.
President Obama has broken his promise to all the loved ones of those that have been discharged or are in the process. In addition, he is allowing huge amounts of investments in time and money by the military to be simply wasted.
This is a time of war, and if a republican, evangelical, Jesus-loving President can choose bigotry over security, over competence and experience, it's not tolerable for Obama to allow it for one second.

I'm really starting to loose my enthusiasm for President Obama.:grr: :banghead:

[TwilightZone]

19. So, your answer is:

Any campaign promise not fulfilled on inauguration day is a broken promise.

Heck, why have four-year presidential terms if we expect everything to be done on day one?

[livefreest]

20. these are LIVES being derailed as President Obama waits. these are not "issues" to get around to!

I say derailed maybe i should say DESTROYED.
to whom this promise was made? to Gays and lesbians in the military. he has been elected, they are still afraid of being found and kicked out. in matters of human rights relativism is not an option. some politicians in the past have compromised on human rights: founding fathers kept slaves, after civil war African-american not given full citizen rights, FDR compromised with segregationists in not integrating the army. Now all these men (they are all men aren't they? i don't think it's a coincidence) are respected for a long list of accomplishments. However none are praised for these decisions.
President Obama promised to recognize Gays and Lesbians as simply American citizens in the army. He is waiting for a more opportune moment. There can't be any praise or tolerance for waiting.

[Bluebear]

21. Yes. He has the power to stay the firings RIGHT NOW. Every disrupted life...

that could be spared this outrageous disruption really is a disappointment.

[hulklogan]

11. "No immediate plans" could mean January 19, 2017.

I hope we're not willing to wait that long.

[L0oniX]

10. They're making more room for the incoming gang bangers.

[ShortnFiery]

13. They want a hetero-sexual patriarchal, homogeneously authoritarian type Professional Military.

:scared:

[livefreest]

18. Since january 20,2009 each person discharged or in the process, represents a broken promise by Obama

[Bluebear]

22. PS

ACLU is getting my contributions for the time being. I am not getting my value for the dollar in the political arena!

[livefreest]

23. right on! i'm a member since the day President Obama announced the torture pics will not be released