Rep. Alcee Hastings takes the extraordinary step of publicizing his frustrations with the Obama Administration's lack of progress on "Don't Ask Don't Tell", the policy that bans gays and lesbians from openly serving in the military, Roll Call reports.
On Thursday the Florida Democrat wrote a harsh letter to President Barack Obama, saying he is "deeply disappointed" the President hasn’t repealed the ban. Hastings is also upset the President ignored the June letter signed by him and 76 other House Members that asked him "to take immediate action" and stop DADT investigations.
"More than two months later, I have yet to receive an official response,” said Hastings. The Florida Democrat notes that the administration has requested another 17,000 troops for Afghanistan and warns that the military can’t afford to lose more soldiers to the 1993 policy, which he argued results in the loss of two service members per day.
"While I commend Secretary [Robert] Gates and the Pentagon’s general counsel for their continued efforts to identify possible provisional measures, you can take action right now. I sincerely hope that your administration will make ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ a priority and do everything in its power to repeal this ridiculous, bigoted law once and for all."
On July 28, Hastings submitted and then immediately withdrew an amendment that would have de-funded the DADT investigations. Hastings says congressional leadership and the White House "pressured" him to kill the amendment.
The Roll Call report comes on the same day Kerry Eleveld at The Advocate reports the Pentagon "has no particular deadline" on Defense Secretary Robert Gates remarks that the Pentagon is considering easing the policy and "a more humane way to apply the law."
From the "fierce urgency of now" to the fierce urgency of ... whenever. Maybe these really are "second term issues".
Hastings Presses Obama on DADT [Roll Call]
No Timeline For Easing DADT [Advocate]
Some Background ...
Hastings "Pressured" to Withdraw DADT Amendment [R20]
Hastings and 76 Congressmen Call for End [R20]
Gates: Pentagon "Looking for Flexibility" in DADT [R20]
Gates: Administration Will Delay Change to DADT [R20]
Tauscher Introduces Bill to Repeal "Don't Ask" [R20]
Obama Conference Call on "Don't Ask" [R20]
Obama Talks to "The Advocate" [R20]
That's right Alcee!
You'd better fight for this!
Posted by: Carter G | 28 August 2009 at 14:04
Rep. Hastings, I'm with you on this one. President Obama should have taken care of this one already. He should have at minimum issued an executive order placing a hold on DADT until Congress passed a law permanently end the discrimination of gays in the military. This is a basic equal protection case. Congress is not going to threaten President Obama with passing a law banning gays in the military like they did under President Clinton.
As I've said numerous times before, I'm not interested in the blessings and sympathies of straight people towards the LGBT community. I only care about laws on the books and policies that protect us from discrimination and persecution. We are a nation of laws, and those laws should never take a backseat to ignorance, intolerance, bigotry, hatred, or religious views. President Obama is the perfect person to make that case. And I'm disappointed that he hasn't done so. I have sent several letters to President Obama saying that and more. Mr. Obama step up and carry out your constitutional duties. Your concerns should not be wasted on those who will have a hard time accepting change. The right thing should always win out over wrongdoing.
Posted by: Ravenback | 28 August 2009 at 15:22
"Your concerns should not be wasted on those who will have a hard time accepting change. The right thing should always win out over wrongdoing."
Absolutely true, Ravenback. My...our President seems hell bent on "inclusion" of the conservatives. I kinda' understand the concept, but it aint working. So, why keep trying to appease those right-wing motha' fu--kas? I keep thinking that it's a strategy that he and Rahm Emanuel have stuck to...but it's so infuriating to the Presidents base of support (I'm mean white liberals and gays--black folks are still with him solidly.) But here I go again with politics while you (Ravenback) are talking about justice.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | 28 August 2009 at 16:21
Bravo Alcee! Keep the pressure on
Posted by: ReggieH | 28 August 2009 at 16:25