Senate Panel to Review "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

(AP)

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), at left, has announced, in a press release, that the Senate Armed Service Committee will hold a hearing this fall on the controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Signed into law by former President Clinton, the policy forbids openly gay and lesbian personnel from serving in the military. According to the press release, an estimated 13,000 service members have been removed from duty since 1993 based on their sexual orientation.

According to a report from the Center for American Progress, 265 people have been discharged since President Obama took office.

"This policy is wrong for our national security and wrong for the moral foundation upon which our country was founded,'" Gillibrand said. "'Don't ask, don't Tell' is an unfair, outdated measure that violates the civil rights of some of our bravest, most heroic men and women. By repealing this policy, we will increase America's strength - both militarily and morally."

Gillibrand also said such measures are costly, saying that it takes $95.1 million to replace gay personnel with new recruits.

The debate over "don't ask, don't tell" has been heating up over the years, especially with two wars underway for American troops. President Obama has promised to work with the military on repealing the policy, but many liberal and gay rights activists have become impatient that his administration has failed to act so far.

A CBS News poll taken earlier this year found that 62 percent of Americans support gays and lesbians opening serving in the military.

[Aldymac]

To understand what it's like to have your career destroyed by a homosexual, because of the laws protecting them, and not a straight person, is a deterant to staying in the military. I have seen first hand what homosexuals have done to people in the military, I don't need a story designed to decieve for the purpose of pushing an agenda, that at best, will do nothing good for the military.

[womenmakenews]

To understand what it's like to be a woman fearful of serving under DADT, I urge you to read the first person story of a Marine officer who finally left the service--see women make news. com

[Aldymac]

Homosexuality has never strengthened any military. And it is just as much a religion as liberalism and socialism, the majority of all bigotry I have seen has been from those who are more than ready to use the word on any occasion.
Mainstream America? No matter how many times the American people state their beliefs and vote against the homosexual agenda the homosexuals reject it, then flood the democratic party with money to overthrow the will of the people, talk about a me first agenda, the homosexuals have it all.

[kansas1946]

About time. Terrible policy.

[stn_sage]

Undoubtedly, feedback has shown that the Democrats have alienated and lost a key group in their coalition!

If the Dems can muster enough votes and reverse the old bill, then Obama could sign it without having to take any responsibility for it!

The gay community gets what it wants, Dems get what they want, Obama gets what he wants, and mainstream America... ... ...?

[cs4466]

Time for this archaic rule to join slavery, prohibition and preventing women from voting. Progress will be made, the old bigotries will eventually die and eventually people will look back on the Religious Reich with disdain - much as we do today.