Comments on: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t See Much Movement

By: The Catch-22 of Don’t Ask « Leave it to Seaver

The Catch-22 of Don’t Ask « Leave it to Seaver — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:58:39 +0000

[...] While these are among the most important spokespeople to have (showing the victims of this policy), it also inevitably supports the misconception that once soldiers are allowed to serve openly they will all make being gay their defining characteristic to the detriment of being a good soldier and team player. This is exactly why it is key that gay soldiers who are advocates express that they’d much rather be on the battlefield than on TV (as they undoubtedly would). Equally as important is the visibility of supportive straight soldiers and leadership–like Admiral Mullen. [...]

By: nseaver

nseaver — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:01:10 +0000

Point well taken that he’s done far more than any other President since ’93. Granted, Clinton was pretty boxed in since it was his own policy, and Bush was Bush.

My point isn’t so much to take him to task for not acting on a policy (though the very “safe” action is part of it)–he’s made his position clear and he’s right on the goal. My point is that showing a little bit more leadership here would show a) real military leadership and b) real political leadership. I don’t think either is a risk to him or the larger democratic party. He’s deferring to the lowest common denominator in the military (the people that Elaine Donnelly thinks she speaks for)–not the proud, brave traditions of our men and women in uniform.

By: kip

kip — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:57:42 +0000

DADT needs to be repealed, but why do you take the President to task at the top of you post for being “weak”? As you noted, this is the first hearing on this subject in 17 years!