May 19, 2009 2:29 PM

Pentagon: No Plans To Repeal "Don't Ask"

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
Domestic Issues
(AP)
Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell today said there are no plans to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that prohibits openly gay troops from serving in the military.

President Obama vowed to repeal the controversial 1993 policy during the campaign, but according to Morrell, there have not been serious discussions between the White House and the military about doing so.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen are "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.

Morrell indicated that the White House has not formally sent a request to Congress to abandon the policy. He said there have only been "initial conversations in their early stages" about the situation.

A week ago, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the president wants "don't ask, don't tell" abandoned but would not intervene to keep gay servicemembers from being discharged, something that happened to an Arabic linguist earlier this month.

Gibbs insisted that legislation was required to change the policy, despite the fact that the president is commander in chief. He said changing it will "require more than the snapping of one's fingers."

Asked if there were surveys going on to see how the military community feels about the change, Morrell, the Pentagon spokesman, said no.

"The secretary has not asked his service chiefs, his service secretaries, his combatant commanders, anything of that sort to, sort of, start to -- to do, you know, polling on that matter," he said.

Add a Comment See all 22 Comments
by mickeybr May 20, 2009 1:26 AM EDT
This is the usual response I get when I ask this question.

Where in my post did I say I was concerned with them being interested in me?

I'm just saying, if they get to serve openly, I want some women in the squad bay too.

I would like to know how other countries work out this issue.

I am still asking a serious question.
Posted by AJMarine12 at 4:26 PM : May 19, 2009
----------------------------------
This is NOT a serious question. It's a ridiculous one.

What does the topic of this article "gays serving openly in the military" have anything to do with women in the squad bay?

It's doubtful that this is even is an issue AT ALL in other countries. They probably tell their service members to get back to work and quit worrying about such trivial issues.
Reply to this comment
by WayAround May 20, 2009 12:13 AM EDT
Amazing story from CNN:

"One of three Afghan civilians wounded when U.S. contractors shot at them in an incident in early May died of his wounds Sunday....contractors involved in the shooting have left the country...[Contractors worked for Paravant]...Paravant's parent company, Xe."


Xe is the new name for Blackwater USA !!!

You remember Blackwater. They were the professional hitmen in Iraq. Apparently, they are now continuing with their "functions" in Afghanistan.
Reply to this comment
by texbelle123 May 19, 2009 8:07 PM EDT
>>Von Steuben was gayer than Christmas . . . .When will the 21st century catch up with the 18th?
Posted by willcaine

Not to mention Lafiette, whom Washington employed as President to officially form our armed services . . . also gayer than Christmas and equally out.

The real objection to gays in the military is and always has been that the guys are scared spitless that a gay man will come along and treat him with as much disrespect (read, sexual abuse) as the straight men currently treat women who are also serving.

For shame on them all - Gates. Gibbs, Obama - all of 'em.
Reply to this comment
by AJMarine12 May 19, 2009 7:26 PM EDT
Just what do you mean by "regular service men?" And just because they're gay what makes you think they'd be interested in you anyways.

Posted by mickeybr at 1:38 PM : May 19, 2009


This is the usual response I get when I ask this question.

Where in my post did I say I was concerned with them being interested in me?

I'm just saying, if they get to serve openly, I want some women in the squad bay too.

I would like to know how other countries work out this issue.

I am still asking a serious question.
Reply to this comment
by stn_sage May 19, 2009 6:45 PM EDT
The vast majority of military members are heterosexual who are not inclined to like or prefer to serve knowingly with gay members. That's how it is---it may change some day---but for now---that's the situation.

The 'don't ask, don't tell' policy is probably the best that a gay military member can expect from the military. It allows them
to have a military career---if that is their priority!

But, if their priority is to concentrate and declare their sexuality then they forego their military career which is
a lesser priority.

It was wrong of Mr. Obama to promise them to repeal the current policy and allow them to serve openly in the service if he wasn't serious about doing it! And, he's smart enough to have known that such action would be GREATLY resisted!
Reply to this comment
by endurorob May 19, 2009 6:24 PM EDT
I bet you a dollar to a donut that Gitmo is still operating as it is now come 2011. Why did I vote for this lame duck?
Posted by cmc1227 at 2:50 PM : May 19, 2009

Since congress has said they want him to have a plan before alloting the you are probably right.
Reply to this comment
by Questionews May 19, 2009 5:55 PM EDT
Well. Oregon_State... I trust you don't think you're representing the state of Oregon!
Posted by jovialdraper at 2:22 PM : May 19, 2009

No, just Portland and it's 40 something old gay mayor which is facing recall because he lied during the election campaign about sucking face with a 17 year old kid in a city hall bathroom. (The real sad part is that I voted for him..little choice considering the options.--Yep voters regret)
Reply to this comment
by cmc1227 May 19, 2009 5:50 PM EDT
I find this absolutely hilarious; everything that Obama said he was going to do turns out to be pure BS. I bet you a dollar to a donut that Gitmo is still operating as it is now come 2011. Why did I vote for this lame duck?
Reply to this comment
by willcaine May 19, 2009 5:24 PM EDT
At Valley Forge, it was Baron von Steuben who trained our troops to fight like real soldiers; after that, they were able to win a few battles. Von Steuben was gayer than Christmas, and he was way out of the closet. When will the 21st century catch up with the 18th?
Reply to this comment
by jovialdraper May 19, 2009 5:22 PM EDT
Well. Oregon_State... I trust you don't think you're representing the state of Oregon!
Reply to this comment
See all 22 Comments
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