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Op-Ed Contributor
The Latest on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Under Obama: Don't Change?
By John Lillpop
President-elect Barack Obama has produced yet another dramatic "first" for the history books: He is the first African-American president to weasel on a campaign promise before even being sworn in!
At issue is the long-standing Pentagon ban on open homosexuals in the military. During the presidential campaign, Obama promised to reverse the "explosive" policy if elected.
Another item for the CHANGE WE NEED category, or so it seemed.
Now that Obama has been elected and is in a position to actually implement change, certain of those campaign promises are being reviewed carefully and subjected to CHANGE themselves!
With respect to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," advisors to the President-elect have indicated that CHANGE, whatever it's final form, will not be advanced for months and perhaps not until 2010, according to the Washington Times story linked below.*
Although repealing the ban is still on the CHANGE agenda, "Mr. Obama first wants to confer with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and his new political appointees at the Pentagon to reach a consensus and then present legislation to Congress."
Consult with the Joint Chiefs of Staff? What the Hades do those military fanatics know about discrimination and civil rights, from a gay perspective?
What if the Joint Chiefs of Staff tell the new commander-in-chief, in no uncertain terms, that trashing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is an awful idea?
Then what?
Chalk it up to inexperience and promise to try harder in 2012?
* http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/21/obama-to-delay-repeal-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/
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