DADT: Obama Where Art Thou?

Gemini Cricket · 06-09-2009, 12:48 PM

An interesting commentary from Rachel Maddow on Don't Ask Don't Tell and Obama's lack of movement getting rid of it.
Maddow

When I lived in Monterey, several linguists at the Defense Language Inst. who were fluent in Farsi were dismissed because of this policy. I don't understand DADT at all. These were skilled professionals who could have helped the US in a big way. Now according to recent reports (cited in the video clip), 13,000 people have been dismissed because of DADT.

Some defenders say it will ruin morale. If this can destroy cohesion and morale with a bunch of soldiers, then something is wrong with our military. Our soldiers can handle a great deal. They're strong enough to get over this issue. We're not giving them enough credit.

I am disappointed in Obama. I'm starting to feel the way I felt under Clinton. Despite being "liberal", the LGBT community is still being ushered to the back of the bus. I'm hoping for some sort of announcement from the Obama camp regarding this policy and DOMA this month. But I'm no longer hopeful.

wendybeth · 06-09-2009, 12:52 PM

I feel very much the same way. I'm starting to get pissed about all this as well- the Prop 8 situation, threatening to cut AIDS funding, DADT.....things just seem to be going backwards. Very discouraging.

Gemini Cricket · 06-09-2009, 01:35 PM

wb ~ But the thing that really irks me is that I felt that things (GLBT rights etc.) would be better with the Democrats in control. Things aren't. And it's confusing why things aren't better. Where are the brave people? People need to speak out and act out against things that are just flat out wrong. It seems like people, politicians, reporters are too scared now. Why is that?

Kevy Baby · 06-09-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Why is that?

They found out that the Conservatives have WMD's

Snowflake · 06-09-2009, 01:48 PM

VKBM

Allow me to chime in as well. I watched Rachel Maddow last night and found myself asking the same thing. A friend of mine who works at Rand tells me that DADT will go away, she is sure of it especially in view of what she hears from the brass she deals with. But that does not help people today or the people fighting their dismissal from the various service branches.

We all know President Obama has a lot on his plate, but he stated quite plainly during the campaign that this was one issue that would be dealt with and quickly. I had hope when Lt. Choi was recently dismissed as he had outted himself on Maddow's show, that this would be addressed then and he would not be dismissed. Sadly not the case. West Point and all that, it's a real shame.

Cadaverous Pallor · 06-09-2009, 02:57 PM

Can't believe the machinery on this is still hunting people down.

He needs to put a stop to it.

Strangler Lewis · 06-09-2009, 09:17 PM

I remember when the policy was first discussed, a colonel testifying in support of it said that he would not want his gay son to serve in the military because he would expect him to be murdered in his barracks. Thus, it seems that for purposes of public discussion, we are committed to a military comprised of the most boneheaded members of society. I am not happy ceding pride of ownership of the military to the bonehead class. Plus, if I had a family member in the military, I would not be comfortable with an official policy that my family member was a homicidal bonehead and, therefore, more expendable.

innerSpaceman · 06-09-2009, 11:00 PM

Hahahaha, I think I'm also going to start calling him "President Fierce Advocate!"

alphabassettgrrl · 06-10-2009, 08:48 AM

I agree- our soldiers can handle their fellow soldiers being gay. You can't tell me they don't know, anyway. One of my coworkers is a vet, who served (and roomed) with a soldier who was gay. Nobody cared.

Making a big deal out of it does lead to increased danger to gay soldiers. If we just say "get over it" things will be calmer. Get it out in the open.

I do agree, though, that Mr. Obama needs to get on with repealing DADT. We are losing so many valued soldiers, in a military that needs every capable body it can get- we are shooting ourselves in the foot for no good purpose.

Promo-Man · 06-10-2009, 11:57 AM

This is the same old BS.
There has always been Gays in the military.
Just do it and get over it.
No big deal

06-09-2009, 12:48 PM	#1
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	DADT: Obama Where Art Thou? An interesting commentary from Rachel Maddow on Don't Ask Don't Tell and Obama's lack of movement getting rid of it. Maddow When I lived in Monterey, several linguists at the Defense Language Inst. who were fluent in Farsi were dismissed because of this policy. I don't understand DADT at all. These were skilled professionals who could have helped the US in a big way. Now according to recent reports (cited in the video clip), 13,000 people have been dismissed because of DADT. Some defenders say it will ruin morale. If this can destroy cohesion and morale with a bunch of soldiers, then something is wrong with our military. Our soldiers can handle a great deal. They're strong enough to get over this issue. We're not giving them enough credit. I am disappointed in Obama. I'm starting to feel the way I felt under Clinton. Despite being "liberal", the LGBT community is still being ushered to the back of the bus. I'm hoping for some sort of announcement from the Obama camp regarding this policy and DOMA this month. But I'm no longer hopeful.
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06-09-2009, 12:52 PM	#2
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	I feel very much the same way. I'm starting to get pissed about all this as well- the Prop 8 situation, threatening to cut AIDS funding, DADT.....things just seem to be going backwards. Very discouraging. __________________
	Submit to Quotes

06-09-2009, 01:35 PM	#3
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	wb ~ But the thing that really irks me is that I felt that things (GLBT rights etc.) would be better with the Democrats in control. Things aren't. And it's confusing why things aren't better. Where are the brave people? People need to speak out and act out against things that are just flat out wrong. It seems like people, politicians, reporters are too scared now. Why is that?
	Submit to Quotes

06-09-2009, 01:48 PM	#5
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	VKBM Allow me to chime in as well. I watched Rachel Maddow last night and found myself asking the same thing. A friend of mine who works at Rand tells me that DADT will go away, she is sure of it especially in view of what she hears from the brass she deals with. But that does not help people today or the people fighting their dismissal from the various service branches. We all know President Obama has a lot on his plate, but he stated quite plainly during the campaign that this was one issue that would be dealt with and quickly. I had hope when Lt. Choi was recently dismissed as he had outted himself on Maddow's show, that this would be addressed then and he would not be dismissed. Sadly not the case. West Point and all that, it's a real shame.
	Submit to Quotes

06-09-2009, 02:57 PM	#6
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	Can't believe the machinery on this is still hunting people down. He needs to put a stop to it.
	Submit to Quotes

06-09-2009, 09:17 PM	#7
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	I remember when the policy was first discussed, a colonel testifying in support of it said that he would not want his gay son to serve in the military because he would expect him to be murdered in his barracks. Thus, it seems that for purposes of public discussion, we are committed to a military comprised of the most boneheaded members of society. I am not happy ceding pride of ownership of the military to the bonehead class. Plus, if I had a family member in the military, I would not be comfortable with an official policy that my family member was a homicidal bonehead and, therefore, more expendable. __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
	Submit to Quotes

06-09-2009, 11:00 PM	#8
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Hahahaha, I think I'm also going to start calling him "President Fierce Advocate!"
	Submit to Quotes

06-10-2009, 08:48 AM	#9
alphabassettgrrl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,978	I agree- our soldiers can handle their fellow soldiers being gay. You can't tell me they don't know, anyway. One of my coworkers is a vet, who served (and roomed) with a soldier who was gay. Nobody cared. Making a big deal out of it does lead to increased danger to gay soldiers. If we just say "get over it" things will be calmer. Get it out in the open. I do agree, though, that Mr. Obama needs to get on with repealing DADT. We are losing so many valued soldiers, in a military that needs every capable body it can get- we are shooting ourselves in the foot for no good purpose. __________________ Why cycling? Anything [sport] that had to do with a ball, I wasn't very good at. -Lance Armstrong
	Submit to Quotes

06-10-2009, 11:57 AM	#10
Promo-Man Actor / Comedian / Santa Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The North Pole of Anaheim Posts: 131	This is the same old BS. There has always been Gays in the military. Just do it and get over it. No big deal
	Submit to Quotes