OurScene TV – life/style tv for the LGBTQ community

In-Depth Study First Step in Repeal of DADT

An announcement is planned for later today in the process to repeal DADT. Held before the Senate Armed Services Committee,  it marks a step toward President Barack Obama’s goal (and promise) to eliminate the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates is said to be appointing two top Pentagon officials to lead the military’s first in-depth study on allowing openly gay service members, promising to try to spare more troops from being dismissed in the meantime.

The year-long study could bring the biggest social change to the military since the 1948 executive order for the racial integration of units. It would recommend the best way to lift the ban, starting from the premise that the goal will take time to accomplish but that it can be done without harming the capabilities of the military force.

While his promise is being seen as a good start by gay rights’ activists, Obama is finding resistance in several corners. Some high-ranking military officers are reluctant to embrace the change while troops are stretched thin at a time of two wars.

Gates, who has long suggested that change shouldn’t come too quickly.  gave speech last year where he noted that the executive order for racial integration took five years to implement.

“I’m not saying that’s a model for this, but I’m saying that I believe this is something that needs to be done very, very carefully,” he said.

Isn't it great that we've come so far since the civil rights fight? Or, that DADT has to be "done very, very carefully. Good grief Gates... have you learned nothing about acceptance and tolerance over the past 60 plus years?