Obama to Tackle Military Gay Ban at "The Right Time"

[rockin'robin]

President Obama will focus "at the right time" on how to overturn the ban on gays serving openly in the military, his national security adviser said Sunday.

"I don't think it's going to be -- it's not years, but I think it will be teed up appropriately," retired Gen. James Jones said.

The Democratic-led Congress is considering repealing the 1993 law. Action isn't expected on the issue until early next year.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid recently wrote Obama and Defense Secretary Robert Gates asking them to share their views and recommendations on the contentious policy. In Sept. 24 letters, Reid also asked for a review of the cases of two U.S. officers who were discharged from the military because of their sexuality.

"At a time when we are fighting two wars, I do not believe we can afford to discharge any qualified individual who is willing to serve our country," Reid wrote.

Jones said Obama "has an awful lot on his desk. I know this is an issue that he intends to take on at the appropriate time. And he has already signaled that to the Defense Department. The Defense Department is doing the things it has to do to prepare, but at the right time, I'm sure the president will take it on."

As a candidate, Obama signaled support for repealing the law. To the disappointment of gay-rights supporters, he has yet to make a move since taking office in January. The White House has said it will not stop the military from dismissing gays and lesbians who acknowledge their sexuality.

Last year, 634 members of the military were discharged for being gay, or .045 percent of the active-duty U.S. force, according to an Aug. 14 congressional report.

The largest number of gays who were ousted under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy came in 2001, when 1,227 were discharged, or .089 of the force.

The House is considering legislation to repeal "don't ask, don't tell" and allow people who have been discharged under the policy to rejoin the military.

Jones appeared on CNN's "State of the Union."

Obama to Tackle Military Gay Ban at 'Right Time' - Political News - FOXNews.com

 

[shel90]

Hope Obama gets to that soon. It is ridiculous that there is such a ban in place.

 

[Loghead]

Years from now, people will look back at the ban and reflect on how badly gays and lesbians were treated. Gays were probably banned from joining the military because the government didn't think they deserved that "honour". This is no different from World War 1 & 2 when only white people were allowed to fight and receive the "honour".

Canada's allowed gays to openly serve since 1992. When soldiers are on the news saying hi to their families, there are always people wishing well to their "partners". There's no reason why they should be excluded simply because they lead a different life.

 

[CJB]

Hope Obama gets to that soon. It is ridiculous that there is such a ban in place.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[Steel X]

Sounds pretty immature to put up such a ban against gays.

In fact, there are some gay soldiers who actually worked harder than the other soldiers in the force. Some gay soldiers even saved their own soldiers' lives. Whether they are gay or not, they still fight for our country.

Even former president bush is such a hypocrite for refusing to allow gay marriages when there are ALOT of gay men in the army...you just can't always tell, thou. :roll:

As long as the gays know what they are supposed to do and respect eachother, then its all good.

 

[Steel X]

Years from now, people will look back at the ban and reflect on how badly gays and lesbians were treated. Gays were probably banned from joining the military because the government didn't think they deserved that "honour". This is no different from World War 1 & 2 when only white people were allowed to fight and receive the "honour".

Canada's allowed gays to openly serve since 1992. When soldiers are on the news saying hi to their families, there are always people wishing well to their "partners". There's no reason why they should be excluded simply because they lead a different life.

In WWII, there were some black men fighting for our country too they just weren't very well known due to racism times, obviously.

 

[Loghead]

In WWII, there were some black men fighting for our country too they just weren't very well known due to racism times, obviously.

Ohhh OK. I wasn't sure. They didn't let Asian-Canadians/Asian-Americans join though, right?

 

[Steel X]

Ohhh OK. I wasn't sure. They didn't let Asian-Canadians/Asian-Americans join though, right?

I don't know about that, but I wouldn't be surprised if that's even slightly possible. Alot of jewish men did get in our army too.

 

[somedeafdudefromPNW]

Ohhh OK. I wasn't sure. They didn't let Asian-Canadians/Asian-Americans join though, right?

There's a Japanese-American unit that fought in Italy.

 

[Reba]

The American military forces of World War II included black, Japanese descent, Native American, Hispanic, and Jewish men and women. It wasn't a few, it was millions in total. Some were in segregated units, some were integrated.

 

[Texan Guy]

Shouldn't Obama get more concentrate on economic problems and health care rathers than the homosexual in the US military?

 

[CJB]

Shouldn't Obama get more concentrate on economic problems and health care rathers than the homosexual in the US military?

That was the same argument used against the Civil Rights Movement. Weren't there more urgent issues than African-American and Women's Rights?

 

[Reba]

Shouldn't Obama get more concentrate on economic problems and health care rathers than the homosexual in the US military?

It might be a good idea for him to focus on the war in Afghanistan. He spent more time in Copenhagen for the Olympics bid then he did sitting at a table with his own General McChrystal. It's time to focus!

 

[Texan Guy]

That was the same argument used against the Civil Rights Movement. Weren't there more urgent issues than African-American and Women's Rights?

Well, why'd someone rather to concentrate on the civil rights while we're in deep trouble with economics and health care at this time?

It might be a good idea for him to focus on the war in Afghanistan. He spent more time in Copenhagen for the Olympics bid then he did sitting at a table with his own General McChrystal. It's time to focus!

Ah, I forgot to mention the war in A-stan. Yeah, I totally agree with ya.

 

[somedeafdudefromPNW]

Shouldn't Obama get more concentrate on economic problems and health care rathers than the homosexual in the US military?

But he is...

By allowing gays into the military, more homosexuals can be employed. Plus their healthcare is covered by the military.

(Disclaimer: this is meant as a semi-sarcastic post)

 

[rockin'robin]

So many issues, so little time.

 

[CJB]

Well, why'd someone rather to concentrate on the civil rights while we're in deep trouble with economics and health care at this time?

There's never "a right time." There's never a time where there aren't "more urgent" economic or other type issues. So should we just keep putting them off or should we put our foot down and tackle those civil rights issues?

 

[netrox]

The main reason that San Francisco became the "gay capital" is the military. Pretty ironic.

"How did so many gay people come to call the city by the bay their home? The answer may surprise you... As it turns out, the military is the main reason so many gay men settled in San Francisco."

How did San Francisco become so popular with gay people?

Why military keeps the ban makes no sense. It's time to let it go.

 

[Foxrac]

Shouldn't Obama get more concentrate on economic problems and health care rathers than the homosexual in the US military?

He did and economy took more time to recover on own and it is cost more to discharge any soldiers who are gay due don't tell, don't ask policy so US government couldn't afford to discharge more.

It's wrong to discriminate, being religious reason is no excuse because not everyone has similar religion and I think soldiers need focus on war instead of take care of culture.

 

[deafskeptic]

The main reason that San Francisco became the "gay capital" is the military. Pretty ironic.

"How did so many gay people come to call the city by the bay their home? The answer may surprise you... As it turns out, the military is the main reason so many gay men settled in San Francisco."

How did San Francisco become so popular with gay people?

Why military keeps the ban makes no sense. It's time to let it go.

Mm. I hadn't known that but when I think about it, it makes sense.