Dems reluctant to touch policy on gay troops

[unhappycamper]

Dems reluctant to touch policy on gay troops
By Anne Flaherty - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jun 11, 2008 13:01:36 EDT

WASHINGTON — Democrats say the U.S. should be ashamed of its ban on gays serving openly in the military. The ban discourages qualified people from joining the ranks at a time when the armed forces are stretched by two wars, they say, and is degrading to those willing to serve their country.

So what have the Democrats done about it? Nothing, really.

Since taking control of Congress in January 2007, Democrats have not convened hearings on the matter or taken up legislation that would let gays serve openly, although most party members favor repealing the prohibition. Instead, Democrats have focused their efforts on bringing troops home from Iraq and other issues that have broad appeal among voters, such as lowering gas prices.

In a recent interview with The Advocate, a gay newsmagazine, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., stopped short of promising to lead the way for change, saying only that he can “reasonably see” a repeal of the current ban if elected president.

Indeed, the gays-in-the-military issue has slid from being a top campaign pledge of President Clinton’s to a footnote on the Democratic agenda, even as some of its staunchest opponents soften their rhetoric and acknowledge that the nation’s attitudes are changing.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/06/ap_dontask_061008/

[patrice]

1. We the People have to stick together on Gay/Civil Rights, GROW our numbers and prepare for

action that is timed to its best advantage.