Obama speaks of 'possible' repeal of "don't ask, don't tell"

rhetoric.

He needs to then say it if he believes it instead of just pandering. And the "Nazism" analogy was to make a point (extreme though it may have appeared to you) regarding calling bigotry and homophobia just "another point of view." Hate crimes have been committed against gays in this country and around the world because people take it so lightly. But that's OK. I am sure regardless of what he says or doesn't say people will defend it. It is absolutely unbeleivable. By that logic, the votes of those who would murder and attack gays like happened to Matthew Shepard would be welcomed by Obama. If so, then politics truly is a despicable business. And please do not tell me who my argument is with. I know full well it is with the current state of politics and the purveyors of it who then dare to call themselves agents of "change."

im sorry i thought it was about obama saying he was considering repealing the "don't ask don't tell" policy".

its a change in the military. which is what is needed if it is going to recover from the last 8 years.

Jan - are you serious? You're totally missing the point with that Nazi argument. I'm not trying to pick a fight, but it's annoying when others (you) try to pick fights with everyone.

In case you don't realize, American politics is a terrible game to be a player in. I'm sure if Obama said what was on his mind he would say "Homophobia is wrong" and "Nazis are wrong", but its still a sad truth in our society that if he wants to win the election - he has to say the "politically correct" thing.

You, Jan, have a valid argument with American politics. Not Obama.

I hope we get to see the day where politicians get elected because of their true views. But until that day, we are still going to have people ignorant enough not to support gay rights - and sadly - their vote is as good as ours.

When wasn't it one?

i am lost. how this become a political debate?

repealing the don't ask don't tell policy is a good thing. its long overdue in the military. although i feel that there should be protections for gay people in the military (so they don't get screwed over by their superiors).

i think it is time that the military just accepts the fact that gay people can do just a good a job as the straight people can.

god i hate campaigning years.

RRH - in all fairness, this article isn't about Hillary at all. I think everyone is really sick and tired of the whole Obama vs. Clinton bullsh*t, can't we all just get along? haha.

In all seriousness though it's disgusting. We're fighting each other and we're on the same side. I don't even really see where these arguments come from - you're saying Obama should adopt a different policy from Clinton's, but why? For the sake of argument and debate? They're both DEMOCRATS! They SHOULD have the same policies.

The only real policy issue I see between the two of them is over health care - and from a Democratic perspective - both policies would be better than the current policy!

So stop preaching. No one wants to hear you bash Obama and no one wants to hear anyone bash Hillary either, it's childish.

Do something productive and bash McCain if you're so persistent on hating other people rather than supporting your own.

Sweet - that was a quality rant.

I find this rather amusing Obama decides to say what Hillary said during a debate and continued to say it. Though President Clinton had that policy, Hillary has suggested that gays serving in the military should do so without fear. She went on to say there have been many talented gays who speak Arabic and possess other specialties which are necessary.
Now, Barack surely you don't have the same amnesia you had when you said you didn't take PAC money or oil money, when we recently were given the true facts that you do. Factcheck.org does a great job keeping us informed. I am however happy to see you like Hillary's policies. Perhaps you can think of one yourself, that would be different.
I understand there are those in disagreement. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but I will not defend mine. It speaks for itself. Do the research.

I think the military just needs to get rid of the "macho" attitude once and for all. i dont know what they need to replace it with, but the machoness HAS to go.

I'd bet, Obama would have an easier time convincing the Pentagon to withdraw troops and end the war than get this issue overturned.

i'm personally not pro gay, which doesn't mean i'm a phobe of any sort. when i was in the navy i served with several very talented men who were gay. while i was never inclined to hang out with them socially in some capacities, i.e. the infamous hillcrest area in san diegothe fact that some of them got put out for being gay was just simply wrong.

the military is a strange place a conglomerate of people servce. asians, whites, blacks, latino's etc all serve under one banner while subscribing to different ideologies. gangbangers, gays/lesbians, racial supremecists, along with the jew, muslim and christian religious population(i've also met wiccans for the first time) fill the military's ranks. all these different people's serving a common cause makes it a very unique place.

i do feel that there has to be a certain level of respect. especially in tight quarters such as a naval vessel. but as long as certain rules such as no physical fraternization takes places and the focus is on the work and not who you are sleeping with or their sex there should be no problem repealing the same sex rule.

-horrible

I think the don't ask don't tell policy is the best policy and I don't really see any reason to "progress" any further. You shouldn't be allowed to support your country BECAUSE you are a heterosexual or a homosexual. You should be allowed to support your country because simply because you want to.

It's completely unnecessary information. I think the policy just takes a lot of grief because of the name it has been given.

People would probably be much more supportive if it was called the "Gay Rights Military Movement" policy or something like that... but no matter what the name is, its still serving the same purpose.

I think the gay and lesbian community just wants the support of their nation, and they definitely deserve it. But they aren't going to get any more support from those ignorant enough to deny them that support in the first place simply because of the title of a policy.

we should even have a military, the way we abuse it so often, we should be arguing 'don't ask don't tell', we should be planning mass disarmorment. it's not because that's what the terrorists want, i'm pretty sure it's what the well informed countries in the world want the terrorists just want us out of their countries, and most of those that we label terrorists are actually (or were once considered) the liberators of their countries.

I always thought the 'don't ask - don't tell' policy was quite an insult. It was a typical way for Bill to cover his ass.
I care far more about your dedication to the country and your promise to protect it than I do your sexual preference.

96thdayofrage is absolutely correct. Additionally, at the time Clinton had all but promised the gay community that he would do away with the military ban on homosexuality altogether. The don't-ask-don't-tell policy was seen as nothing less that a broken promise and utter betrayal. Or so I understand.

lol, i'm not mean. i just joke around alot

resastra, Thank you. I didn't want you to be mean, you don't look mean.

Getting rid of don't ask, don't tell is a necessary precurser to reinstituting the draft.

i forgot sarcasm doesn't come across well over the internet

resastra, You are kidding, RIGHT? You do know that women also serve in the military? Do you think the straights are hitting on each other too? Let's have some reality here, gays are no different in a military or other setting than straights.

Barack isn't speaking in negatives about this issue at all.
In fact his stance is the best of all possible ones he could take; That a person will not be judged on how they view homosexuality, just as well as a person should not be discriminated because they are gay. A military leader should be chosen for his ability to lead, period.

oh no, if they allow openly gay people in the military they'll be to busy hitting on each other and not fighting the enemy

I agree with Tori...though I would say it was a good half-step. It's time to take the other half. Good for Obama.

Obama better clarify his remark a bit. I was ready to dump him and support Pat Paulson again.

"Soldiers who are not afraid of guns, bombs, capture, torture or death say they are afraid of homosexuals.
Clearly we should not be used as soldiers; we should be used as weapons."

~ Letter to the Editor, The Advocate

"...with all the rape cases that have been emerging from within the ranks this past month I'd say it's not the queer soldiers the military should be worrying about."

HA

Praise you devo64!

In a war where recruitment is at an all time low and the military desperately needs more arabic and farsi translators, it's down right stupid for the head honchos to turn away or discharge any qualified solder over a silly thing like sexual orientation.

Shiiiit, with all the rape cases that have been emerging from within the ranks this past month I'd say it's not the queer soldiers the military should be worrying about.

Thanks for the clarification. I'm sure they appreciate the support!

I support gays in the military, was just making a snide yet funny joke. I always think its funny that military commanders are afraid of this situation.

Sgt. Slaughter "Private Jenkins, Shoot that man!

Pvt. Jenkins "I cant Sir, he's adorable!

That's the most ridiculous I have ever heard. What makes you think that SAW runner isn't 100% as dedicated as you are that he is doing his job right, that he is doing it effectively, that he is doing it right, and umm when in a high intensity situation or otherwise that he has a few other things to worry about then checking out your behind.

Come on man, that's garbage!

*Edited to input sarcasm*
I dunno, you can't effectively do your job when the SAW gunner is checking out yer ass.*end sarcasm*

I agree, Tori. "Don't ask, don't tell," was a timely policy and now it is time to move on.

I'd like to say that this sentence, "Barack Obama says if elected president he won't require that his appointees to the Joint Chiefs of Staff support allowing gays to serve openly in the military." Is poorly descriptive of what Barack was saying. It almost sounds like he is anti-gay, and in fact he is saying that he would prefer allowing openly gay individuals to serve in the military rather than wasting money in kicking them out. Also, he won't make this one facet of military policy his measuring stick for his appointees.

Furthermore, the article says, "Asked what he could reasonably accomplish for the gay community as president, Obama said he can "reasonably see" repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy as well as signing legislation to ban workplace discrimination against gays. He said he'd like transgendered people to be covered by the law, but thinks it would be tough to get such legislation through Congress."
And this is good.

I think "don't ask, don't tell" served its purpose at the time it was implemented. As I recall, at the time, gays weren't allowed in the military at all, so it was a step in the right direction to acknowledge that gays can serve our country just as well as any straight soldier. But by now, I feel its time has passed and that it is no longer sufficient. The current administration hasn't realized being gay isn't something to be ashamed of. I look forward to a new administration that is aware of that.