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Skelton: DADT Repeal Means Talking to Children About Gays

Rep. Ike Shelton, the anti-gay and conservative Missouri Democratic chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, warns against repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" because then children would learn about homosexuality.

Asked the 79-year-old Skelton: "What do mommies and daddies say to their 7-year-old child?"

Nice to know that national defense policy is being developed as an after-school special.

Skelton, one of the 26 House Democrats who voted against repeal, says he would continue to oppose repeal although his constituents could care less. “I was everywhere in my district, everywhere. It just wasn’t raised. There are other things on people’s minds, like jobs and the economy.”

AP: "Several Year Process" to Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

So much for "right away". The process to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is expected to take "several years" and after yet another study on military showers and barracks, reports the Washington Post.

"The Defense Department starts the clock next week on what is expected to be a several-year process in lifting its ban on gays from serving openly in the military.A special investigation into how the ban can be repealed without hurting the morale or readiness of the troops was expected to be announced Tuesday by Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. While the review is likely to take the better part of this year to complete, and even more time to implement, its initiation will advance President Barack Obama's goal of repealing the ban and bring a divisive issue for the military back to the fore."

The focus of the "special investigation"? Showers, barracks and a few "practical issues" ...

"The review to be announced next week was expected to delve into practical issues that surround changing the law: Can a soldier be forced to room with someone who is openly gay if they are the same sex? Would the military recognize civil unions and how much would it cost to extend benefits to a service member's partner? Would quotas be imposed to ensure openly gay service members aren't passed over for promotions?"

The only "practical" issues raised here are the administering of benefits. There are already thousands of gays and lesbians serving (and showering) with honor alongside their straight counterparts. Study after study shows morale will not be compromised. And a majority of service members polled support a repeal.

In related news: The 2011 Defense Authorization Request will be submitted to Congress on Monday. The Washington Post previews the budget. As expected ... there will be no line-item request to repeal the ban or to de-fund DADT investigations. Rep. Barney Frank and others suggested the repeal would be in the Authorization.

Also: California Democratic Rep. Susan Davis announced the House will hold another DADT hearing on March 3. Davis chairs the Military Personnel Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee. You may recall that Davis took an aggressive lead into the investigation of the murder of Seaman August Provost, the black gay sailor who was ambushed and killed by another soldier at Camp Pendelton last summer. Davis is a strong ally, which helps because House Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton ("D"-MO) is against the repeal.

Our op-ed on "Don't Ask Don't Tell" and black America is at The Grio. It's being promoted on the front page of MSNBC.com.