"Obama to call for 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal, adviser says"

[Clio the Leo]

Obama to call for 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' repeal, adviser says
By Laurie Ure, CNN Pentagon Producer
January 27, 2010 5:49 p.m. EST

Washington (CNN) -- President Obama will ask Congress Wednesday night to repeal the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that bars gays and lesbians from openly serving in, White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod told CNN.
The request will be included in the president's State of the Union address, Axelrod said.

The issue has been a source of contention for heavy hitters on both sides of the issue, who are lining up for a fight.

In a message to Pentagon leadership, Gen. John Shalikashvili, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said it's time to repeal the law.

"As a nation built on the principal of equality, we should recognize and welcome change that will build a stronger more cohesive military," said Shalikashvili. His letter was sent out Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, who supports repealing the policy.

House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, flatly disagreed with the idea of ending it.

"When it comes to 'don't ask don't tell,' frankly, I think it's worked very well. And we just ought to leave it alone," he said to reporters Wednesday morning.

The policy prohibits openly gay men and women from serving in the U.S. armed forces. The policy bans military recruiters or authorities from asking about an individual's sexual orientation, but also prohibits a service member from revealing that he or she is gay.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Michigan, who told reporters on Monday that the president would discuss the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in his speech, supports ending the practice, but wants to go about it carefully.

Levin said he did not have any details about what the president would say.

"If we do this in a way which isn't sensitive ... we could have exactly the opposite effect of what I hope will be the case -- which is to change the policy," he said Monday.

Levin said the committee plans to hold hearings on the issue in early February, although the hearing may be with outside experts -- delaying a hearing with Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen, that had originally been promised, CNN was told by a congressional source.

(more)
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/01/27/obama.gays.military/index.html

[Fearless]

1. Yeah we'll see if he gets around to it...

:eyes:

[timeforpeace]

32. If so, his presidency will be a resounding success.

[Fearless]

33. It would be a plus no doubt

But there is more than one issue that is important to a successful president.

[Jennicut]

2. Good to officially know it is in the SOTU.

Boner is a typical idiot.

[jenmito]

3. K&R. Chris Matthews reported the same thing. n/t

[cherokeeprogressive]

4. The "Talking Points" from the WH that you posted this morning give absolutely no mention of this.

So, as the father of a gay daughter, I'm going to do what everyone has been screaming about all day: I'm going to wait and see. If so, great. If not, no surprise.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x155245

[jenmito]

5. When he does, you'll come back and apologize.

Right? ;)

[Clio the Leo]

8. Talking points are not meant to be a comprehensive list....

.... and the WH knows that the target audience for DADT's repeal are not usually the type to get the bulk of their news from the nightly news hours (which is who the talking points are directed to.)

[IndianaGreen]

6. Words! Words! Words! I'm so sick of words!

Words!
Words! Words! I'm so sick of words!
I get words all day through;
First from him, now from you! Is that all you blighters can do?
Don't talk of stars Burning above; If you're in love,
Show me! Tell me no dreams
Filled with desire. If you're on fire,
Show me! Here we are together in the middle of the night!
Don't talk of spring! Just hold me tight!
Anyone who's ever been in love'll tell you that
This is no time for a chat! Haven't your lips
Longed for my touch? Don't say how much,
Show me! Show me! Don't talk of love lasting through time.
Make me no undying vow. Show me now!
Sing me no song! Read me no rhyme!
Don't waste my time, Show me!
Don't talk of June, Don't talk of fall!
Don't talk at all! Show me!


Musical: My Fair Lady
Song: Show Me

http://www.allmusicals.com/lyrics/myfairlady/showme.htm

[jenmito]

10. Funny-you just posted a bunch of WORDS!

They mean nothing! Right? :eyes:

[jefferson_dem]

11. Ha!

Burnnnnn...

[Betty Karlson]

35. This reaction makes you

one very fair lady!

[ShortnFiery]

7. "... hold hearings on the issue in early February."

Gee, you think that will get us ANYWHERE save for scoring CHEAP points for homo-phobic GOP representatives and General Officers?

I'd bet that NOT ONE "Active Duty" General Officer will support repealing DADT.

Any takers?

[Zenlitened]

44. I sincerely hope that Pres. Obama has given these officers...

... the officers that he commands, that serve at the c-in-c's pleasure... I hope he's given them strict marching orders that change is coming. And that their role as officers is to help lead the way... or get out of the way. No bellyaching allowed.

That said, I will confess that was also hoping Pres. Obama would announce last night that he is suspending DADT discharges while the hearings go forward.

I would also like to see his administration put out some suggested language to REPLACE DADT, affirming the right of every American to serve their country openly and honorably.

Last night's SOTU mention was an important milestone in and of itself. But he needs to grab hold of the dialog on this issue, in a positive and productive way, as only the POTUS can.


(edit typo)

[jenmito]

9. How predictable that some here won't even take it as a good thing that he's going to call to repeal

DADT! :eyes:

[ShortnFiery]

12. He's calling for *HEARINGS* not directly to repeal DADT.

:(

[jenmito]

14. He's not a king. He's calling for hearings to have it repealed.

:eyes:

[ShortnFiery]

17. ONE Executive Order and it's DONE. No moral courage with President Obama and

as a result DADT will NOT be repealed.

[TheWraith]

20. For the last time, THE PRESIDENT CANNOT REPEAL LEGISLATION.

Period. An executive order does not trump established military law, which says that gay people get tossed out of the service. Changing the law requires an act of Congress.

[Hekate]

36. "Ignored" there has his fingers in his ears going "La la la, I can't hear you."

What can I say?

I'm glad you're being reasonable and factual, though.

Hekate

[jenmito]

26. Not strong enough. Congress has to pass it so the next president can't undo it with ANOTHER

executive order.

[Robb]

34. Ah, no.

Not the way things are done in this country. Thanks for playing.

[Thothmes]

40. If Obama can undue it with an executive order, the next

President can reinstitute it with an executive order. If Congress repeals the DADT legislation its a done deal. Also, Congress must modify or remove
the Sodomy article from the UCMJ. The current law does not give the President legal authority to suspend enforcement of the UCMJ.

[TheWraith]

18. You're assuming facts not in evidence.

Particularly since he has ALREADY called for it to be repealed, multiple times, has said he'll sign the repeal, and it's expected that one of the points tonight will be noting the support by military leaders for it's repeal. Plus, they're already planning on attaching to repeal to the 2011 defense appropriations bill, probably to be passed in late March. :eyes:

[jenmito]

27. He has not called for congress to hold hearings at a certain time like he will now. n/t

[Clio the Leo]

21. YES! Why doesn't he just insist the Congress completely bypass the legislative process!!!

:eyes:

[jenmito]

30. Anything to not give Obama credit.

:eyes:

[Clio the Leo]

31. The President could punch Geithner in the face....

... and folks would complain that he didn't kick him in the groin. :eyes:

[dave29]

24. HE's calling for Repeal.

There will be hearings.

[Name removed]

13. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

15. When it finally does get repealed...

the same jokers will take credit for "pushing' him to do it in the first place.

Of course, when they go back to their native message boards they'll just complain that he repealed it.

[jenmito]

28. I agree...

on all counts. :D

[Cali_Democrat]

25. The haters are a pathetic bunch, aren't they? nt

[Tailormyst]

43. Excuse us if we don't crack open the champagne on this

When something ACTUALLY happens THEN I will give him credit and thanks. Until then its just more words.

Your statements regarding the GBLT community not groveling in gratitude enough because one of our major issues was briefly mentioned in a speech (AGAIN), is unbelievably offensive.

[Zenlitened]

45. How predictable that some here can't resist needling...

... the GLBT community and its allies.

Maybe the discussion would be a bit livelier if so many hadn't been purged from the site, or driven to leave in disgust.

There are plenty of discussions of this issue taking place. But they're taking place elsewhere these days.

[mistertrickster]

16. Show us DEEDS, not words. nt

[CBR]

19. I really hope he comes through on this -- soon! nt

[TheWraith]

22. It's slated for attachment to the defense approps bill to be passed in late March.

So says Barney Frank at any rate.

[CBR]

29. Great news!!! nt

[bigwillq]

23. Good start.

Good to see it will be in SOTU. Let's hope the plans are followed through. K and R

[Hekate]

37. And so he did. Looked right at the Joint Chiefs of Staff and told them, while Gates applauded....

:fistbump:

Giant step forward.

Hekate

[Skittles]

38. haven't we heard this before?

[FrenchieCat]

39. Not at a President's first SOTU, and spoken while looking at your Military folks......

and speaking to the world on every channel and all members of congress present.

Of course, we know you prefer Clinton who came up with this asinnine shit to begin with.

So no, we hadn't heard this part,
just the part when Clinton signed this piece of shit into law.

[bigwillq]

41. I don't think it's ever been said in a SOTU before.

Now the tough part begins. The actual action. But it was a good step. We shall see what happens.

[RoadRage]

42. Not since the campaign trail..

This was official. And again, as a reminder to EVERYONE - he signs bills.. he doesn't make them. So they have to get something to him to sign before he can do anything about it.

[avaistheone1]

46. Shouldn't Obama at least allow gays to get married before

sending them off to be killed?

Karel asked this question on Green 960 yesterday and I think it is a good one.