Gates still not ready to sign on to DADT repeal

[WillParkinson]

Source: Associated Press

Gates still not ready to sign on to DADT repeal
By The Associated Press
04.17.2009 9:34am EDT

(Carlisle, Pennsylvania) Changing the U.S. military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy for gay troops is “very difficult,” Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday, indicating that doing so could take years - if it ever happens.
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Speaking at the Army War College, Gates said he and President Barack Obama were discussing the policy and whether to change it. Gates said he was not yet taking a position about whether gay troops should be open about their sexuality, which could lead to their discharge under the current rules.

Gates also noted it took five years for the U.S. military to racially integrate during the Truman administration.

“If we do it, it’s imperative that we do it right and very carefully,” Gates told reporters later on a military jet to Newport, R.I., where he was to speak Friday at the Navy’s war college.

He added: “It’s very difficult. To get peoples’ real feelings about it you have to have almost a one-on-one private conversation. I think it’s very difficult for people to speak in front of their peers about this issue.”

Read more: http://www.365gay.com/news/gates-still-not-ready-to-sign-on-to-dadt-repeal/

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Gee, I'm shocked. Shocked I tell you.

[TEmperorHasNoClothes]

1. excuses excuses, fuck him

[HillWilliam]

2. It's difficult? It's difficult?

My fruit-flavored arse. Gays are already IN the military, you ninny. They're already integrated. All you would be doing, Mr Gates, is to say it's okay for them to continue to serve their country.

You should be grateful they do. As desperate for cannon-fodder as your military is, you should be damned grateful.

These brave men and women are showing far, far more honor than you are, Mr Gates. They are loyal to their country. The least their country could do is be loyal to them.

Ya think?

[No Elephants]

3. Obama needs to make an executive decision to do the decent thing, just because it is

the decent thing, just as his distant cousin, Harry Truman did. The military brass would never have agreed to integrate racially, just as they are never going to agree to eliminate "Don't ask, don't tell."

This policy is so stupid and immoral. I am so ashamed that a Democratic President instituted it.

Oh, and Gates, it MAY have taken Truman five years to achieve it, but it only took him a second to sign the Executive Order to commence the process. Obama's not even at that point yet, so stop the bs about Truman, k?

[Freddie Stubbs]

4. Actually, he needs for Congress to send him legislation to sign

DADT is the law for the time being.

[Vidar]

5. Didn't really expect anything from a Bush left over.