White House Issues New Language on “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” Policy

[Ian David]

05-01-09
America Blog: White House Issues New Language on “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” Policy


Friday, May 01, 2009
White House issues new language on "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy
By John Aravosis (DC) on 5/01/2009 12:00:00 PM

Policy change, or poor editing?

In a move that many people I've spoken with see as a shift in policy, and a backward step from a clear campaign promise that was reiterated during the first days of January of this year, the White House has changed the language on its "Civil Rights" page, as it concerns gay civil rights. The changes were first noted yesterday by gay blogger JoeMyGod. And while most of the deletions noted yesterday have since been un-deleted, the new language on President Obama's commitment to repeal the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy appears to indicate a significant change in policy, for the worse.

Prior to yesterday, approximately one half of the White House Web site's Civil Rights page was devoted to gay civil rights. It specifically included 8 promises:

Including sexual orientation in America's already-existing Hate Crimes law.
Passing ENDA.
Supporting Civil Unions and explicitly repealing DOMA.
Opposing any constitutional amendment on marriage.
Repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell.
Expanding Adoption Rights to include gay parents.
Promoting AIDS Prevention.
Empowering women to prevent HIV/AIDS.

As of yesterday, that list of promises was distilled into two sentences, and included only 3 promises:

Passing ENDA.
Supporting Civil Unions, but no longer a mention of repealing DOMA.
Opposing the constitutional amendment.

More:
http://www.sldn.org/news/archive/america-blog-white-house-issues-new-language-on-dont-ask-dont-tell-policy/#When:17:47:41Z

[yardwork]

1. You know, I supported him in my state's primary because of the promises on his web page.

I'm offended that he is deliberately backtracking. There's not even a pretense of intending to keep his campaign promises now.

That makes me sick.

[Maven]

2. Well, what a fucking surprise. IT'S JUST ONE SONG

:eyes:

EDIT: As an aside, WTF does it mean to "change DADT in a sensible way?" Will it now be rebranded as "Really Don't Ask and Maybe Tell?"

[Ian David]

3. They should also make it apply to straight soldiers.

You get discharged if you tell anyone you're straight.

No photos of your wife in the barracks.

Make it fair, by making it EQUAL.

[tbyg52]

5. Just two minutes.

Ya know, when you see the way a line is curving, you can figure out where it's heading from just a little segment of it.....

[tbyg52]

4. Goddammit. I never cuss.

GODDAMMIT! :wtf: :cry:

I am not far from being physically ill.

[nichomachus]

6. This "shut up and be patient" thing doesn't seem to be working

Especially since the other side is doing neither.

[ThomCat]

7. This is really insulting.

x(

[Veruca Salt]

8. WTF.....

fucking hell.... :mad: :argh:

[dickthegrouch]

9. Plouffe and Michelle just got letters from me

Not that I expect them to be read.

I just sent letter taking the central yesterday, today part of your post and telling them they have squandered their right to contact me.

[bluedawg12]

10. Has there been any "outreach" to gay leadership to explain this?

I can understand -- not saying agree-- but I can understand if there were reasons cited.

The promised transparency in government means talking to leaders of various groups.

If this has not taken place, then, it is insult to injury, so to speak.

[Ian David]

11. UPDATE: Whitehouse.gov Reinserts Call to “Repeal” Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

Whitehouse.gov Reinserts Call to “Repeal” Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=221&topic_id=128440&mesg_id=128440