Gates: Courts should not set policy on gays in military

[foxfeet]

Says ending 'don't ask, don't tell' will have enormous consequences for troops

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday that abruptly ending the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays as a federal judge has ordered would have enormous consequences.

The policy forbids the military from asking about a service member's sexual orientation but retains a ban on gays disclosing their status.

A day after a judge in California ordered the Pentagon to cease enforcement of its policy barring gays from openly serving in the military , Gates told reporters traveling with him to Brussels that the question of whether to repeal the law should be decided by Congress, and done only after the Pentagon completes its study of the issue.

"I feel strongly this is an action that needs to be taken by the Congress and that it is an action that requires careful preparation, and a lot of training," said Gates. "It has enormous consequences for our troops."

Full Article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39653574/ns/us_news-life/


:eyes:

[Hell Hath No Fury]

1. May I second that?

:eyes:

[rocktivity]

2. Rocktivity: The military should not be deciding which of their recruits

get to have civil rights.

:patriot:
rocktivity

[Not Me]

3. May I second THAT

[Zenlitened]

8. Bam.

:thumbsup:

[chimpymustgo]

11. Amen, Rocktivity.

[hendo]

12. can I get an Amen?

[donco6]

4. Yeah, enormous consequences. Scary, enormous consequences.

Wow, wonder what the results are coming out to be with that "study"?

[VMI Dem]

5. The marching orders are in.

[Caliman73]

6. I hate that meme

All these stupid idiots saying this piss me off. Courts DON'T set policy. They rule whether policies are in line with the Constitution. The court did not say, "hey I am making a new rule here". The judge said, "This policy does not fall in line with the laws of the land and the rights of the people and it is therefore illegal and needs to stop now".

It is almost as annoying as when stupid ass right wingers say they are being stripped of their first amendment rights cause they get fired by private companies for offending people.

:rant:

[Starry Messenger]

7. What happened to that whole three branches of government thing?

Once again, they choose to be on the wrong side of history.

edit: fixed spelling in subject line.

[Caliman73]

14. Because they do not know or understand history and government.

The dumbing down of the electorate, which began in earnest under Reagan results in people who do not know and do not care about how government functions. As I said up-thread Gates is talking out of his ass. Courts do not set policy and they do not write laws. They interpret law and regulations against the constitution. I know I am preaching to the choir but right wingers have so perverted the understanding of government that we have to put it out there as often as we can.

Legislative Branch = Congress: makes laws

Executive = President: Implements laws

Judicial = Courts: Interprets laws

Congress makes a law, President does not like the law and vetos law (Check). Congress overrides veto (check). Court interprets whether law is constitutionally valid (Check on Congress & President).

[Starry Messenger]

17. Thank you for putting it out there!

A signal boost on the fundamentals is always welcome. :thumbsup:

[Zenlitened]

9. Someone with such contempt for America's constitution should not be Defense Secretary. - n/t

[TexasObserver]

10. Gates: Courts should not tell schools they can't segregate by race.

He's behind the curve by a good 60 years.

Gates needs to catch up.

[hendo]

13. "It has enormous consequences for our troops."

And what would those be exactly? Finally allowing them to be who they really are without the fear of being kicked out of the military?

[walldude]

15. Funny isn't it..

Not just consequences mind you but ENORMOUS CONSEQUENCES. Probably can't tell us what they are though. National Security you know.... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[hendo]

18. I find it far more sad than funny ;) NT

[hendo]

19. Edit: Dupe

[EFerrari]

16. And BushCo fixers should not try to upstage their CIC

let alone, determine the civil rights of American citizens.