New legislation to repeal "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell," the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the armed forces, was introduced this afternoon in the House of Representatives.
The latest bill was filed by Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher, a California Democrat. Tauscher is the lead sponsor of the MIlitary Readiness Enhancement Act, which repeals the ban and replaces it with new provisions that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in the Armed Forces. Last year, the MREA had at least 144 bipartisan cosponsors.
In seeking cosponsors while reintroducing the bill, Ms. Tauscher said: "With fifteen years of social progress and the recent sea of change we have witnessed in the national political landscape, I am further encouraged that now is definitely the time to act." She also contended that the costs of the policy were too great, for those who were let go from the service over the years and also in terms of the nation’s recruiting needs.
[President] Obama said during that campaign that he favored repealing the law, and allowing gays to serve openly in the military. But since then, aides have said it would be several months before any announcements were made, and a decision would follow a studied assessment of the policy.
Given the priorities of the budget and the economy, many experts believe it is "unlikely" the "Don’t Ask" legislation will be taken up anytime soon. It is also likely the Obama Administration has learned from the mistakes of the Clinton Administration. In 1993, the Clinton White House tackled the thorny issue of gays in the military less than 100 days into its presidency. After polarizing debate, DADT became the flawed compromise.
Since DADT was enacted more than 12,000 servicemembers have been dismissed because of their sexuality According to the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, which advocates for gays in the military, an average of two service members are dismissed under the law every day. At least 26 nations, including staunch war on terror allies such as Israel and Britain, allow gays to serve openly and none reporting morale or recruitment problems.” A Zogby poll of U.S. soldiers finds 73 percent "are personally comfortable in the presence of gays and lesbians.”
Some Background ...
Obama Conference Call on "Don't Ask" [R20]
Obama Talks to "The Advocate" [R20]
Gays in Military Do Not Undermine "Cohesiveness" [R20]
Court of Appeals Upholds "Don't Ask" [R20]
Joint Chiefs Nominee: Congress Can Reconsider "Don't Ask" [R20]
Romney Defends Pace's Anti-Gay Remarks [R20]
Joint Chiefs Chairman Criticizes Gays [R20]
Former Joint Chiefs Chairman: End DADT [R20]
Former Defense Secretary: End DADT [R20]
Colin Powell on Guantanamo [R20]
Joint Chiefs Chairman Regrets Criticizing Gays [R20]
General Says Bush Worst Thing to Happen [R20]
Former Defense Secretary: End DADT [R20]
Former Joint Chiefs Chair: End DADT [R20]
Most Soldiers Support Gays [R20]
Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Hearings? [R20]
News: DADT, Maryland Hearings [R20]
News: Don't Ask, Don't Tell [R20]
I hope he handles it in a way that does not allow Rush (the windbag) can use it to rally his troops.
Limbaugh is the new Jerry Falwell.
Posted by: gurlene | 03 March 2009 at 07:03