Gen. Colin Powell Now Favors Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

This is major. Former General Colin Powell, who as the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman opposed fully integrating gays in the military, now says it's time to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

The New York Times' Caucus Blog:

"In the almost 17 years since the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ legislation was passed, attitudes and circumstances have changed," General Powell said in a statement issued by his office. He added: "I fully support the new approach presented to the Senate Armed Services Committee this week by Secretary of Defense Gates and Admiral Mullen."

When Mr. Clinton tried to end the ban on gay soldiers, General Powell was the Joint Chiefs chairman and opposed the move on the grounds that it would undermine discipline and order in the military but he supported the "don’t ask" compromise. In his statement on Wednesday, General Powell said "the principal issue has always been the effectiveness of the Armed Forces and order and discipline in the ranks." He noted that he has said for the past two years that it was "time for the law to be reviewed," but his new statement of unequivocal support for the effort by Mr. Gates and Admiral Mullen could be an important factor as the debate moves forward this year.

Powell said during the 2008 elections that it was time to "review" the 1993 the to repeal the 1993 law that bans openly gay men and women from serving in the military.

On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates Joints Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen told lawmakers they supported President Obama’s proposal. Mullen became the first sitting JCS chairman to endorse the repeal.

Comments

[FREELEO]

Great news. The world is such an interesting place. For years things move at a snail's pace and now they are humming right along. I think the president will keep his promise and abolish DADT during his time in office. Keep hope alive.

[harlemboy]

correction on that last line of your post: mullen (not gates) is the first jcs chairman to endorse repeal.
Duh. Thanks! -RM

[worst_1_yet]

It's amazing that young, gay Americans sign up for the "honor" of defending this (great) country, knowing that they forfeit their First Amendment right in doing so.

I applaud every one of them.

DADT is shameful and woefully outdated.

The First Amendment, on the other hand, is over 300 years old.

[Jim]

“In the almost 17 years since the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ legislation was passed, attitudes and circumstances have changed,” General Powell said.

But, you know, the need for basic civil rights was there always.

Despite you.

[ReggieH]

A friend was at a private party in San Francisco during the implemenation of DADT and tried to get Powell to see that those against gays in the military were using the *exact same arguments* that were used against blacks/racial integration in the 40's and '50s'. He 'didn't get it' then...guess he sees it now.

[robert]

rod I am glad you are back