Subscribe to Breaking NewsWithers: Powell says it’s time to reconsider DADT
Colin Powell, former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, thinks it is time to reconsider “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
“We definitely should reevaluate it,” Powell said in an CNN interview. “It’s been fifteen years since we put in ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ which was a policy that became a law. I didn’t want it to become a law but it became a law. Congress felt that strongly about it. But it’s been fifteen years and attitudes have changed and so I think it is time for the Congress, since it is their law, to have a full review of it, and I’m quite sure that’s what President-elect Obama will want to do.”
Can’t say I expected this from Powell. For those who remember when the topic was debated in the early 1990’s, Powell firmly barred the door to keep gay soldiers and sailors from serving their country.
As for Obama addressing DADT, I don’t see that happening as quickly as some here would like. Unlike Bill Clinton Obama is not going to enter into the hornet’s nest minus any military support. When he’s certain he has the respect of military personnel (and that looks promising), then DADT will be changed.
For DIONNE.
The problem is that you, like millions of others, have been conned by the military establishment’s re-definition; The policy is not DADT. It’s DADTDP… Don’t ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Pursue.
Because the Military and the Media continue to truncate the policy’s name, the military conveniently forgets that last part, much to the consternation of 100,000 gay and lesbian servicemembers, who WERE persued right out of their livelyhoods.
When ‘WE The People’ start to demand the true meaning of words, instead of letting bigots re-define policy, then this country will be worth fighting for. Until then, you really only live in a banana republic, where ‘meaning’ goes to the highest bidder.
As a service member I do not agree that the title DADT should be lifted. However, I do agree that anyone wiling to serve this wonderful nation should be allowed to do so with no thought or fear of reprisal. I do not see where it is anyone’s concern of other’s sexual orientation. That should not be a subject for discussion in the work place. As long as the man or woman to my left or right can accomplish the mission at hand that is the only thing that should matter. If you say that the title is lifted then the fear of those young and inmature soldiers will be harm. Now if a person can just be allowed to love who they are attracted to and move on with work I do not see why that is a part of a job application. That is like telling me that because I am a Black Woman that I should check the block and that will determine my job title. There are several more important issues that this country have to deal with than to worry about who a person shares their bed with. I do believe that all men and women are created equal and no matter their sexual orientation they are a citizen of the United States and that should allow them the right to be able to serve and defend the Constitution of the United States. What makes a life any less important? What the DADT policy states is that if you are homosexual then you cannot defend this country, but if you are straight then it is okay for you to die for this country? That is taking away from a persons choice and right away. If we were allowed to continue discrimination against Blacks and Women, can you imagine how many great leaders we would have lost?
“As for Obama addressing DADT, I don’t see that happening as quickly as some here would like. Unlike Bill Clinton Obama is not going to enter into the hornet’s nest minus any military support. When he’s certain he has the respect of military personnel (and that looks promising), then DADT will be changed.”
I don’t see Obama doing anything as fast as many here would like, be it on DADT or marriage equality or ENDA. I believe firmly that he is not the ally or friend that was sold to us. I didn’t vote for him, because I saw him as the charlatan he is. I voted for Cynthia McKinney, because she supports marriage equality, ENDA and has been an ally but doesn’t always agree with us and doesn’t lie to our faces. In the end, Obama will be as much of a disappointment to gay voters as Bill Clinton was. But all of this is another matter.
I have to say that I lost a lot of respect for Colin Powell when he endorsed Obama. Why? Colin Powell had such broad support and respect in American society because he transcended race and partisan lines. Powell has always been a Republican all of his life, he has advised Presidents in both parties and he has stayed relatively loyal to the GOP. While working for the Bush Administration he was instrumental in selling us that War in Iraq and he bares a fair share of the guilt.
Senator John McCain, is one of the few conservatives whom I respect. Why? Because he is true to his ideology while not being a raving bigot like the rest. In fact he was one of only two GOP Senators to vote against the FMA(Federal Marriage Amendment), he and Susan Collins. McCain is also far from a racist, unlike what some people have suggested. McCain represented a breath of fresh air for the GOP, he is the type of Republican with whom most Democrats and independents have little problems. In fact, in 2004, John Kerry’s first Vice Presidential pick was none other than John McCain. All of the things Colin Powell wishes for the GOP to become are personified in John McCain. Yet despite this, Colin Powell let his race decide whom he endorses.
Colin Powell, like many black voters, chose Obama for no other reason than he was black. Colin Powell, who had made his career and political life transcending the confines of race, clearly let race decide whom he votes for. He stabbed McCain in the back.
Now Powell is sensing which way the winds are blowing in America and he wants to get on the new “change” bandwagon. Powell has been on CNN talking up how the GOP needs to change. While I agree with him, I find it somewhat hypocritical that this guy is saying it.
I also don’t understand this Democratic(Party) idea that we have to wait until 90-95% of the opposition are on board with an idea before we push for it. Most Americans support lifting the ban, most Americans not only support non-discrimination laws they also are unaware that most states don’t have them. A clear majority of Americans support recognition of same-sex couples, yet they’re split on marriage vs civil unions. The more they’re educated on the subject they support marriage. Why do we sit around doing NOTHING. Being President means you need to exploit the bully pulpit to progress the change that you(supposedly) support. President Obama clearly doesn’t want to put his neck out for anyone except his own re-election campaign. This is politics as usual, something he promised he wanted to “change” yet has clearly reneged on.
I am not just being a cynical ass, I want to be wrong. If there was ever a time in American history I want to be dead wrong, it’s now. Yet despite this, I see nothing in Obama except a third Clinton term.