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WATCH: Army Secretary Clifford Alexander on "Rachel Maddow"

Former Army Secretary Clifford Alexander, Jr. has been one of the leading critics of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Alexander, who was the first African-American Secretary of the Army under the Carter Administration, slammed the inconsistency of the policy's supporters.

Alexander told Maddow: "They have a new approach now. Their approach is, 'Since we are fighting two wars now, this is going to be difficult.' If we were at peace, their argument would be, 'Well, you must not try this social experiment because you can't tell if it would work during [war].' Their approach is to avoid discussion of how to allow American men and women act in an honorable way and not lie to themselves and those around them. And there is nothing but hatred, ignorance ... a little bit of fear ... to keep this 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy in place."

The former Army Secretary is disappointed the Obama Administration is delegating its authority. "They're talking about having a long study. The President of the United States, instead of calling for a study, should have told the Secretary of Defense, 'Tell me how we can get this moving in 30 days on the hill.' The President is the Commander-in-Chief, he is in charge of the Army and the Navy. It is quite clear it is up to him to set the tone."

Alexander's bona fides at the Pentagon and in the Civil Rights Movement are impeccable. He was also the chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under LBJ. It's a great interview, watch it WHEN YOU JUMP ...

DC's Cong. Eleanor Holmes Norton Supports Same Sex Marriage Bill

On Thursday, Washington D.C. Council Member David Catania announced that on Tuesday he would introduce a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District's non-voting congressional delegate, supports the bill.

The statement reads: "Although opposition by some in the House already has been announced, I believe Congress will and should defeat opposition to gay marriage rights in the District of Columbia as enacted by the District's own elected officials. Opposition to civil rights is not new. We should approach the rights of gay couples and families with the same resolution and results as we had for others who have sought their human rights in Congress and in the District."

Speaker Pelosi has previously said the House will not interfere in the DC Council's marriage decisions.

In 1977, Holmes Norton was appointed by Jimmy Carter to become the first female chair of the EEOC and released the first set of regulations outlining what constituted sexual harassment. In an interview with the Washington Post two weeks ago, Holmes Norton said the experiences of "Hispanics and women ... resonates with us [black people]. The very different experience of the gay community resonates with me because I am an advocate and strong supporter of universal human rights."

Thanks Michael Crawford (@DMCrawford)

WATCH: Jimmy Carter Criticizes "Racist" Tone Directed at Obama

Former President Jimmy Carter, thankfully, encourages a national discussion and says what many of us have known all along: Much of the obsessive hatred and disrespect shown toward President Barack Obama is racist and comes from whites who are outraged a black man is president.

Speaking to NBC's Brian Williams, the former President said: "I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he's African American. I live in the South, and I've seen the South come a long way, and I've seen the rest of the country that shared the South's attitude toward minority groups at that time, particularly African Americans."

President Carter adds: "I think it's bubbled up to the surface because of the belief among many white people, not just in the South but around the country, that African-Americans are not qualified to lead this great country. It's an abominable circumstance, and it grieves me and concerns me very deeply."

Racist code language, monkey caricatures and revolting Amos N Andy imagery of President Obama? You know it's out of control when even Maureen Dowd takes notice.

Watch Carter's remarks, AFTER THE JUMP.