Obama certifies "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal

Two women, both active duty sailors in the Navy who gave their names as Nikki, left, and Lisa, kiss as they march in the Gay Pride Parade in San Diego Saturday, July 16, 2011.

/ AP Photo/Gregory Bull

President Obama on Friday signed a certification of Congress' repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy banning gay men and women from serving openly in the military, setting the stage for the Clinton-era policy to be formally abolished on September 20, 2011.

Mr. Obama hailed the "final major step toward ending the discriminatory" policy in a statement, saying "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" effectively "undermines our military readiness and violates American principles of fairness and equality."

The policy will not be formally abolished until September 20 because the legislation passed by Congress late last year requires a 60-day waiting period between the certification by Mr. Obama and military leaders and full repeal.

Both Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen also certified that the military was prepared for repeal to be implemented. The certification follows a review period in which the military engaged in training and regulatory review and assessed the impact of implementation on readiness.

In his statement, the president commended civilian and military leadership "for moving forward in the careful and deliberate manner that this change requires, especially with our nation at war."

"As Commander in Chief, I have always been confident that our dedicated men and women in uniform would transition to a new policy in an orderly manner that preserves unit cohesion, recruitment, retention and military effectiveness," Mr. Obama said. "... As of September 20th, service members will no longer be forced to hide who they are in order to serve our country. Our military will no longer be deprived of the talents and skills of patriotic Americans just because they happen to be gay or lesbian."

Rea Carey, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said in a statement that "our entire country benefits when fairness prevails, when service members no longer have to fear being targeted by their own government."

The military cannot currently investigate or discharge a service member under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy because of a court injunction, though it is technically allowed to deny enlistment to openly gay men and women until the policy is fully repealed.

With repeal imminent, advocates for gay men and women in the military will now turn to issues like spousal benefits. The Defense of Marriage Act, which the Obama administration opposes, currently bans federal recognition of same-sex marriages.

"I want to thank all our men and women in uniform, including those who are gay or lesbian, for their professionalism and patriotism during this transition," Mr. Obama said in his statement. "Every American can be proud that our extraordinary troops and their families, like earlier generations that have adapted to other changes, will only grow stronger and remain the best fighting force in the world and a reflection of the values of justice and equality that the define us as Americans."

[Roberthagedorn]

Sodomy? For a big surprise, do a search: First Scandal.

[slappy_mcjohnson]

by D-Waarheid July 23, 2011 3:06 PM EDT
When individuals accept homosexuality, they also will eventually also accept pedophiles, rapists, murderers,thieves, etc, etc?

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Apples and oranges. You are talking about illegal behaviors.

We understand you hate, but it really just points to your being in the cloest.

.

[D-Waarheid]

Apples and oranges are still fruit!
And the "we" referred to, demonstrate a large lack of understanding!
Hence the imbecilic assertion that people against homosexuality, do so in closets

[D-Waarheid]

Some people say they're proud to be an American because of the "advances" in homosexuality.

Since when is sewer morality something to be proud about?

Are you also proud watching America flushing down the toilet?

[D-Waarheid]

When individuals accept homosexuality, they also will eventually also accept pedophiles, rapists, murderers,thieves, etc, etc?

'deficit' of logic, morals and common sense equals depraved small minds!

[D-Waarheid]

When individuals stoop to accept homosexuality they will inevatably also accept murderers, pedophiles, rapists,thieves,etc,etc!

"deficit' of morals, logic and common sense, equals small minds!

[-Skirt-]

by fantomas4 July 23, 2011 11:23 AM EDT
Obama came through on his promise after all. I have to say that this makes me proud to be an American, at least for a day. The bigots are gnashing their teeth with hatred right about now, and I love it.
___________

Dude! Do you hate old fashioned people who have a sense of morality?

And you say, "I have to say that this makes me proud to be an American, at least for a day."

You are proud for a day? what about other days? Are you an america hater the rest of days?

When people are asked to tolerate other lifestyles, that is one thing. We have tolerated. Now you want inclusion... much more than tolerance. You want to force us to teach our kids your lifestyle.

You are proud today... and you suck every other day...

[Former_Marine_Sgt]

I like the 'you are forcing us to deal with you' types.

They demand the right to be intolerant bigoted dirt bags.

They demand that we allow thier children to be taugh that it's ok to be intolerant bigoted dirt bags.

What the MAJORITY of America wants to teach your children is that being gay isn't wrong. It's just different.

If you call that 'forcing the lifestyle on your children', YOU are the one with the problem.

Gays are no different than you or I in any way other than who they love. Get over yourself - you are no more important than they are.

I'm straight and I'm proud to have Obama helping remove these bigoted laws from the books.

My morality is no more superior than anyone elses - but it's clear that you think yours is better than mine. I don't think God and Jesus would like that arrogance whatsoever.

[fantomas4]

Obama came through on his promise after all. I have to say that this makes me proud to be an American, at least for a day. The bigots are gnashing their teeth with hatred right about now, and I love it.

[veteran7796]

We are all bigots...you included. Simply being that all of those who post about bigots do so simply because we dont believe in your lifestyle and nothing more. Is there any lifestyle YOU dont agree with? Or are they all okay in your eyes?

[1stlttightwad]

Yup, his christian teachings(joke) that he learned at Rev. Wright's church for 20 years have come to fruition. Yup, he has scrapped the bottom of the barrel looking for ANY body that will support his failed agenda. Throw morals out the window. Throw the economy out the window. Throw a persons desires to become successful out the window, after all, if you succeed it was because you took(stole) from your workers. Throw being successful out the window because He will decide when you have "Enough". If you have more than "Enough" then you MUST share your wealth with the lazy people. I guess you're right, he has kept his promise of change. One that changes the US into a third world, immoraly bankrupt nation. Glad you love it. Gives me and many others an insight into the real you. Sheesh.

[veteran7796]

Im not for gay rights and parading in the streets nor DADT. I find it abnormal, odd and certainly does not contribute to the progression of society by means of reproduction and having children.

But, the bigger question here is why, in modern times, does everyone want EVERYTHING, EVERY LIFESTYLE, EVERY AGENDA and EVERY BELIEF to be OKAY? Do people realize the negative implications this has on society? Accepting every lifestyle is NOT okay. It opens the doors for all kinds of acceptance, the kinds of acceptance even gays find immoral and abnormal.

[-Skirt-]

Tolerance means to tolerate. It used to be that these fringe lifestyle aficionados merely wanted to be tolerated.

Now the want acceptance.

Now they want their lifestyle foisted upon our youth in text books. In Cal it's the law.

There is a huge difference between asking me to tolerate you and forcing me to include you. HUGE.

[doctor_know]

Your comment is very telling veteran7796 :

" It opens the doors for all kinds of acceptance, the kinds of acceptance even gays find immoral and abnormal.

Your old ways of thinking are steadily phasing out.... it sucked while it lasted.

[-Skirt-]

by Libs_R_insane-0003 July 23, 2011 10:19 AM EDT
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Why CBS keeps displaying this picture?Its a humiliation for the US NAVY.
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by DobieGillis July 23, 2011 10:43 AM EDT
Agreed. I just hope the Navy brass ID's the fruits and weeds them out. I'm sure they will! BUT, I hafta say, being former Air Force, GLAD IT'S NAVY!!!!!
__________________

Of course it's the Navy taking the lead on this. Cramped spaces on ocean vessels have resulted in gay lovin' for the last 500 years or more. sheesh. duh....

[Former_Marine_Sgt]

it's pathetic that people will complain about something that's allowed.

[1stlttightwad]

Here is the bottom line. Service men and women take showers in rooms, not private stalls. How will the fact that a gay man will be looking at a hetero man and thinking Hmmmmm. What will happen when that look turns into an overt action? There will more fragging incidents than you can count. What happens when an openly gay person is in a unit and the other 99% refuse to bathe or even be close to them? Whoops, there goes any sort of cohesiveness in the unit. Will there be seperate units? Would you knowignly permit an openly gay man to be your sons scout master on a camping trip? This sick decision by Obama is proof as to how low he will go to court any and all perverse minorities. With this decision the recruitment rate will drop like a rock. Recruits are volunteers. Would you encourage your son or daughter to join the services now knowing that you are putting them into an uncomfortable position that is against their upbringing or your family values. I think not. With this decision you can kiss the services goodbye as a funtioning unit with one goal to protect the US. Having to be on the look out for unwanted advances will diminish any soldiers concentration on the mission at hand. Will the gay soldier that is in need of rescue be denied that because of the fear of STD's or the silent thought of good riddance? The reason that gay's have not been allowed to serve with hetero soldiers since 1776 is for the exact points made. This is indeed the slippery slope toward the demise of the US. All of those that think DADT should be abolished or that gays can openly serve, enjoy the ride into oblivion. With those ideals you have added another nail into the coffin of the greatness of our nation. I am not a bigot as some posters will rant and rave, just someone who has served the US Army and seen the adverse affects of gays in a unit of hetero soldiers.

[1stlttightwad]

Dang, it's been nearly an hour since posting. No smart alecky libs willing to take offense or defend the pentagon and Obama because of what I said. Nope, guess not, can't argue with the facts. Can ya?

[Toddwest]

Amen brother.

[venusvegasvada]

Shameful day for the US

[markag55]

It's a "freak of nature" because you don't have it. Having 6 toes on each foot is also a "freak of nature", but so few have it that it does not command attention. Sadism and masochism are "freaks of nature" both gay or straight, but that is considered "whatever happens in your bedroom should stay there." Women being the stronger mate, both sexually as well as in business, is a "freak of nature," however, more and more we're seeing it. It's only a "freak of nature" because it's not the norm. Realize I used the term "norm", not "normal." They mean different things.