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Loading ...Mullen advises ‘measured’ approach to gay policy
07.06.2009 10:17am EDT
(Washington) The nation’s top military officer said Sunday he has advised President Barack Obama to move “in a measured way” in changing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that bans gays from serving openly in the military.
Obama as a candidate pledged to end the ban. As president, he has not said when or how he will take steps to do so, drawing criticism from gay rights activists and others. The president has pointed out that Congress in 1993 made into law a policy begun by President Bill Clinton.“It’s very clear what President Obama’s intent here is. He intends to see this law change,” Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
“I’ve had conversations with him about that. What I’ve discussed in terms of the future is I think we need to move in a measured way,” Mullen said.
Mullen said he has discussed with his staff what steps might be taken to implement a change in the policy.
“I haven’t done any kind of extensive review. And what I feel most obligated about is to make sure I tell the president, you know, my – give the president my best advice, should this law change, on the impact on our people and their families at these very challenging times,” he said.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said last week that he has lawyers studying ways the law might be selectively enforced as part of an effort to find “a more humane way” to apply the law until it is changed.
There are openily gay/lesbian people in the military. They key is to be open to people you trust and feel comfortable with, as in society as a whole. you wouldn’t go to a kkk rally and proclaim your gayness would you? I was out to my friends in the army and had no problem with anyone… they didn’t care. do i think the bad should be lifted? ummmm… YEAH! But that is a long way off. Obama can promise the moon, as many politicians do, but that doesn’t mean that it will happen. There are even CO’s who could care less if you tell them you are gay, they just send you back to work.
A continuum to my previous comments.
We have a president. Treat him with the respect that his office demands. If you don’t agree with the decisions he or his staff make doesn’t make calling him names a better YOU!!!
If you read a little bit of the United States Constitution you will find that the Congress is the one that is making the laws, not the president. Therefore, call your national congressional representative and let them know your feelings.
But, ladies and gentlemen, respect the Office of the President of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Also, remember that you are free to “flee” to any other country that you wish that will give you more (right!)liberties than our Country does.
Also, I am not for DOMA or DADT laws and want them repealed. I am also a gay man with a partner and we wish to be able to have either civil union or marriage. However, the current law prevents that, so our responsibility is to work to get congress persons to support our view. How about you working to the same end.
Since the Revolutionary War (1776+) Gays have fought and played a pivotal part in our independence (United States Of America).
IF you were to read the components of the members of the ranking staff of General Washington’s army you would find several GAY officers who came from other countries to help fight for OUR independence and to promote freedom. This includes at least ONE GENERAL. We have had throughout the history of our nation homosexuals who have served, given their lives, fought for US to be able to keep our freedom. IF these brave men and women do their job and are of no bother to their fellow fighters why not allow them.
Our Constitution declares that there is a DISTINCT difference from other countries that there is complete SEPARATION between government and church (ie religion). If we are fighting to uphold that piece of paper that declares us FREE then keep Religion (churches and their ministers) out of the Government. As well as keeping the Government out of religion.
Let us be free to worship (or not) as we choose. But, also, let us keep politically motivated religions(???) and their leaders out of our laws/government.
Hey Mullen, measure this.
When it comes to civil rights, why is it the people in power are more concerned with the feelings and rights of the privileged then those of the oppressed? It’s as if by granting the same rights and benefits to the oppressed, somehow imposes hardship or even worse demised rights to the privileged. Adm. Mullen’s “measured” approach is based on fear and fear alone. It is the same fear the military experienced when president Roosevelt issued the order to desegregate the military which allowed blacks to server in the same unit with whites. If President Obama is truly a visionary, as was Roosevelt, then he would face this fear head on, knowing full well the convictions of the American Armed services, to do there job in serving this great nation, would continue just as it has in the past. I think by allowing “all” Americans to serve in the armed services solidifies the belief in the U.S. Constitution that all men are “truly” created equal. While it’s one thing to serve in the U.S. military on your own soil amongst your own people, the same people who grant their military the right not to live up their own constitution, it’s another story when you serve on a foreign soil defending a constitution that you and as a nation know is not full supported, your called a hypocrite. It’s time to end the fear and hypocrisy.
Since when was DADT anything more than an executive order? They’re trying to make it sound like congress has to do something???
More posturing. More crap.
That’s because he’s a homophobic redneck. He would have made the same comment in the 1954 about integrating African Americans into the Military. Now we just look back on those pro-segregation fools and call them by their real names….BIGOTS!
I just read an article about a marine that is autistic. He is currently going thru a court martial. He has been in jail for over a year and his recruiter knew this when he signed on. He has been trying to go home.I should also say that he is into child porn. The government will sign crooks, druggies and others of this same kind but not GLBT. Whats wrong with this picture.
Mullen also said this: “I think we need to move in a measured way. We’re at a time when we’re fighting two conflicts. There’s a great deal of pressure on our forces.”
Oh, I see, we’re in two conflicts so why not keep firing soldiers and continuing to weaken our military? You’d think they’d need all the soldiers they can find. This is pathetic and I am getting extremely pissed at Obama for not standing up and taking action and for listening to these homophobic old farts.
Here’s you an IRONIC thought. Back when there was a Draft, men used to pretend they were Gay to avoid the draft. Here it is 30 years later and they have to pretend they are not Gay to stay in. WOW! Times sure have changed since I was in the army.
A day that will bring total equality to all men/women. An happening in my life time.
Hey “Desert Bat”, we all know exactly what it is. The insecure “straights” got their little panties in a bunch because they’re terrified that it is THEY who won’t “measure up”.
It is just as the late Mr. Conservative, Barry Goldwater, himself said: “You don’t have to be Straight to shoot straight”.
…And that is what they fear the most.
In other words, all of the so-called masculine trappings of the military that so many little straight boys (old and young) feel is their rite of passage and a necessary hurdle (for some) into to full male heterosexual completeness — well, what good is it if some “homo” can do it too, and do it better.
It is the loss of “false heterosexual uniqueness” that they dread the most.
It’s (in the same manner their fevered insecure inferior brains claim a monopoly on marriage) the loss of “privilege and fabricated superiority”, that doesn’t require anything other that being in the majority. Changing the status quo horrifies the little darlings.
Times are changing though. Eventually, America with get into the 21st century — say, perhaps, around the 22nd century. I really hope way before that. ….But?
By the way, Obama is a heartless coward for deferring to these tin soldiers and left-over Bushees in the Pentagon. If these were Black people or any other minority, he would have issued a “stop loss” order on day one. He is responsible for adding another seventy (and climbing) good patriotic young men and women to the 13,000 who have had their military careers destroyed by this immoral policy of discrimination and hatred.
Obama is a self-serving, conscienceless, incompetent scumbug. He’ll go down in history as our first partially Black president and also renown for being an ineffectual oaf.
Apathy, insensitivity, and bigotry doesn’t just come in one flavor you know.
PS- Click on the Blue highlight in my name on the header for my blog.
15 NATO Countries allow Gays to serve honorably. What is your reason Adm. Mullen? You don’t need lawyers, you need to keep your word Mr. President