US military backs repeal of gay “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
The campaign to allow gays to serve openly in the US military will gain momentum today when the Pentagon releases a report on the impact a repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy would have on morale. It will be sent today by the defence secretary, Robert Gates, to President Barack Obama and to Congress.
Officials told the Washington Post last month that the report, a survey of opinion among soldiers, other military personnel and their spouses, found an overwhelming majority either supporting or, at least, not opposing the reform. A majority said it would have no impact on morale…
Gates and Mullen back the change, as does Obama, but repeal of the existing policy, in which gays can serve but not openly, needs to be done by Congress. The House has voted in favour of repeal of the existing law but the Senate is stalling.
The Senate is to hold hearings on Thursday and Friday and its Democratic leader, Harry Reid, has promised a vote before Christmas. However, senators such as the Republican John McCain are holding out, saying there has not been sufficient scrutiny…
Supporters of reform fear that if the vote, which would be part of a defence spending bill, is delayed until next year, the new Congress will have even more Republicans, possibly making reform tougher. Several Republican and Democratic senators have said they would not make up their mind until they had read the Pentagon report…
The survey is based on responses by some 115,000 troops and 44,200 military spouses to more than a half million questionnaires.
Everyone knew the report was coming – with a positive response. Hypocrites like John McCain have already been working out revisionist recasting of their original objections – which were based on waiting for the report.
No doubt he will find a sentence here, a sentiment there, which support his cowardice and bigotry. For a politicians who makes a big deal of his dedication to military preparedness, more than anyone else in Congress, John McCain is the best single example of relying on lies and deceit to advance his political career.
Principles – and civil rights – be damned.
Holler at your Congress-critter to support Bernie Sanders' bill to 
Let the Republicans filibuster the repeal. Let them stand up and make silly statements. A majority of Americans realize now how harmless homosexuality is. If they Republicans want to play to their 30% rabid base, let them.
Mr. Fusion
November 30, 2010 at 1:11 pm
It is so discouraging to see that certain politicians with high visibility and divisions of the government are still allowed to teach hatred and discrimination against gays. It has been going on long enough, when oh when will they cease teaching a new generation that such discrimination is valid?
If an individual straight or gay wants to serve their Nation, walk the walk of a Patriot, or commit their life to their homeland’s defense; who is to tell them no and deny such a right.
I have lost all respect for John McCain.
E Trams
December 1, 2010 at 2:15 am