“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will be abolished if President Barack Obama can help it. Braving what he called “Snowmaggedon” last week, the president promised to a standing ovation at the Democratic National Committee that he would abolish the controversial policy that bans homosexuals who are open about their sexuality from the military.
The policy, which has been in place since 1993, is part of President Obama’s first-term agenda and now he is working with the Department of Defense to repeal the law.
Starting fresh from his first State of the Union, President Obama called the law “just wrong,” and views this year as the one to tackle the issue. The New York Times reported that the administration did not want another polarizing debate in 2009 amidst two wars and severe efforts for healthcare reform.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the Pentagon will need about a year to study the effects of allowing openly gay Americans to serve the U.S. Military. Joining Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gates unveiled some of the administration’s initial plans to carry out a repeal.
They also announced a new policy that the Department of the Defense has put into place that will help to protect the rights of homosexuals whose sexual orientation is not revealed willingly. The policy, which will not need to be in place if “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is repealed, will not take action to discharge members whose sexual orientation is revealed by third parties or jilted partners. A full repeal of the law requires an act of Congress.
Arguments have been raised that the president has begun to take on too many issues at one time; dealing with healthcare and the two wars in the Middle East. Despite the administration’s immense agenda, sophomore architecture major David Glover is happy that the administration is addressing the issue now, as opposed to later.
“If gay people can’t have all the same rights as other citizens, in terms of marriage and their families, then at least they’ll be able to be themselves when fighting to protect this nation abroad.”
Polls show that most Americans do support allowing openly gay citizens to enlist in the United States Armed Forces. A vast majority of Americans did not agree when “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was introduced and enacted 17 years ago.
Meanwhile, a 2006 Zogby International Poll suggests three-fourths of all Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are comfortable around gay soldiers. Yet, the process to repeal the law is not expected to be quick nor easy.
Sophomore Clifford Dalson III, a member of Howard University’s Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) is in favor of efforts to repeal the law. He believes repealing the law would allow more people to join the military, especially those who want to do so post-high school or need more financial support to attend college. In Dalson’s opinion, it does not make logical sense for the government to limit service opportunities based on sexual preference.
“I don’t think it makes a difference when it comes to the military’s productivity and efficiency because whether your comrade is gay or straight, it doesn’t make a difference if they’re able to follow orders or their accuracy in shooting or anything like that,” Dalson said.
Arguments for repealing the policy include those saying that the rule directly contradicts the United States Constitution’s statement that “we hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal...”
Arguments against repealing the policy include those saying that the policy will create an uncomfortable environment in the military.
Both arguments have been heard time and time again. The road to repeal started with the Obama administration, and if all goes according to plan, it will be repealed before he leaves.
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