This has been a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” week. Once Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, offered his personal view that DADT had to go, what should happen next has been argued, debated, and twittered. Mullen even spent 140 characters reaffirming his testimony. And who didn’t get a special thrill seeing Sen. John McCain defending his fondness of the flip-flop?

Many of us have rightfully wondered why the military needs to study what DADT’s end will mean. We’ve taken a “git ‘er done” mentality, which is more than valid. However, a discharged soldier wants to give the military some space. Some. In a Daily Beast op-ed, Anthony Woods cautions for a “smart” repeal of the policy. Woods’ words are worth looking at. He’s a West Point graduate, served two terms in Iraq, was awarded the Bronze Star, and lost his military career because of DADT.

“So the question becomes, what does smart repeal look like? First, Admiral Mullen and Secretary Gates are right to ask for time, and Congress and supporters of repeal should give it to them,”Woods writes. “Successful repeal requires a change in climate from the top down—and that takes time. Our military is still a huge bureaucracy with countless policies and rules to update, and classes and procedures to develop in order to guarantee a smooth transition.”

For starters Woods thinks a provision repeal should be in the upcoming defense appropriation, and a suspension of discharges,  while the top brass figure out how the future will look. He also wants the 13,500 men and women whose careers were ended due to DADT  to have an opportunity to wear the uniform again.

Woods is no naive waif. He knows DADT’s end is our goal, but freely admits its revocation is not going to be easy or smooth.

“While military leaders survey the force and prepare to end the policy, we shouldn’t be surprised to find any number of troops who are uncomfortable with the idea of open service—just as there was predictable opposition to integrated service in the 1940s. The military has a great deal to learn about these men and women and programs must be developed to assuage their fears.”

Sure. Sure. Many will say “get over it soldier.” A fair response, but I’m willing to trust a decorated soldier’s warning that the demise of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”  is much more complicated than we want to acknowledge.

Woods had 8 percent of the vote. State Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan came in second with 12 percent; Garamendi won 26 percent.

Woods, who was endorsed by The Victory Fund and HRC, is a graduate of West Point. He received a Bronze Star during two tours of duty in Iraq and a masters degree from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

 Garamendi  supports equal rights for gays and lesbians. In March, he said in a statement:

“As the California Supreme Court carefully evaluates today’s legal arguments, I hope they do the right thing and allow gays and lesbians to marry the person they love. All Californians, regardless of their sexual orientation, should benefit from the rights and responsibilities that are part of marriage. To deny gays and lesbians in committed loving relationships the opportunity to marry is simply wrong. This is an issue that divides our state, and well-meaning people will disagree. Nevertheless, the course of our society is toward more equality under the law, and that is a good thing. Patti and I have been married for 43 years, and we think gay and lesbian couples deserve the same access to civil marriage that we do. It is an institution that outwardly demonstrates love and commitment while strengthening family and community bonds. The eyes of history are upon us, and I am proud to stand up and be counted today.”

Garamendi will face Republican attorney David Harmer on Nov. 3 and is expected to win. Tauscher left Congress to take a position with the Obama administration as Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.

1. RIP E. Lynn Harris. There is still no official cause of death.

2. Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava, is pro choice and supports gay marriage. The Republican is  running in the 23rd District’s (NY) special election. A few Repubs are loudly saying she does not represent the GOP.

3. Looks like Iran has fell off the fold.

4. Does it mean anything that I’ve never been to Fire Island, NY?

5. Ex-governor Sarah Palin has to hire some speech writers.

6. Congressional candidate Anthony Woods (another West Point grad discharged because of DADT) is  getting some national exposure for his campaign.

7. Nothing is more depressing than listening to minorities argue what is, or isn’t, part of a particular minority experience.

8. Never been perceived as a  good minority (by gays or blacks). Plan on keeping it that way.

9. New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has secured a promise from the Senate Armed Services Committee to have fall hearings on DADT.

10. I’m starting to appreciate Godfather III.