Obama says he will end ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’
Associated Press Writer
Published: October 10, 2009
Updated: October 11, 2009
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama pledged to end the ban on homosexuals serving openly in the military in a speech Saturday, but acknowledged to a cheering crowd that the policy changes he promised on the campaign trail are not coming as quickly as they expected.
“I will end ‘don’t ask-don’t tell,“‘ Obama said at the annual dinner of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay civil rights advocacy group.
He did not give a timetable for the repeal of the law passed by Congress in 1993 and signed by President Bill Clinton, who also promised to repeal the ban on homosexuals in the military but was blunted by opposition in the military and Congress.
“We should not be punishing patriotic Americans who have stepped forward to serve the country,“ Obama said. “We should be celebrating their willingness to step forward and show such courage ... especially when we are fighting two wars.“
“I appreciate that many of you don’t believe progress has come fast enough,“ Obama said. “Do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach.“
Obama also called on Congress to repeal the Defense Of Marriage Act, which limits how state, local and federal bodies can recognize partnerships and determine benefits. He also called for a law to extend benefits to domestic partners.
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Why give gays such a hard time for wanting to openly serve in the military? What about all the heterosexuals who would never serve? I also include myself in the category of heterosexuals who would never serve, that’s something I wouldn’t hide from others but yet nobody has ever given me a hard time about that.
Sorry for the error….
The embodiment of our constitution which the military “DEFENDS” is not a secular entity. We are one nation, a free society and these freedoms “are” self evident. They are us…they are we, and there time has come.
OK clear thinker I’m going to do my best…...
I’m wondering if your definition of clear thinking is only those that will agree with you.
There can be no clearer thinking than not to dismiss what we may not understand. Than can be no clearer thinking than to look at history and see what we know to be wrong.
I’m sure tradition in the armed forces will take the awkward hit here. There will be dissention. As there was when Harry S Truman abolished the all black unit in 1954. Or in 1948 when women were allowed
As permanent members of the armed forces. This did not weaken our country it enriched our armed forces as much as the black culture has enriched our society since the civil rights movement.
The embodiment of our constitution which the military represents is not a secular entity. We are one nation, a free society and these freedoms “are” self evident. They are us…they are we, and there time has come.
I totally agree with imzadi’s comment.
Being gay should not have anything to do with a soldier being a good soldier. He’s there as a human being willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of his country like anyone else, NOT as as GAY person.
All Obama did this week was weaken a nation. Like every other dumb indecision he’s made. Can we get some
clear thinking people to post a com-ment here? Please…
Yes, gay issues are in the limelight because of the media. But also because a lot of gay people out there are trying to fight for the same rights that are guaranteed and given to everyone else. If somebody denied me my rights, such as the right to marry my significant other, then I wouldn’t keep quiet either.
It’s in the limelight because the MEDIA keeps it there!
Why does someone’s sexual preference even have to be an issue??? .......Because they make it an issue, Gay marriage, gay pride parades! an the list goes on an on, I agree it should not matter but when it is kept in the limelight it will always be an issue!!
EXACTLY, imzadi. I couldn’t agree more.
Why does someone’s sexual preference even have to be an issue??? That is a VERY private issue, and should not even be a concern. All that should be discussed is, “Does this person have what it takes to join the military? Is this person committed to the success of the military?“ I don’t discuss my sexual preferences in my job? Do you?? A person’s sexual needs belong ONLY in a bedroom between CONSENTING adults. It does not belong being discussed anywhere else.
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