Gates on DADT: ‘Let’s push that one down the road a little bit.’
Gates on DADT: ‘Let’s push that one down the road a little bit.’
This morning on Fox News Sunday, host Chris Wallace asked Secretary of Defense Robert Gates why there is “currently money in the 2010 budget” to keep enforcing the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) policy, given President’s Obama’s stated commitment to overturn it. Gates responded by noting that DADT is still “the law” and suggesting that changing that law would not be happening in the near term:
WALLACE: In January, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs gave a one word answer, “yes,” when asked if this president is going to end the policy of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell for gays in the military. Where does that stand and why is there currently money in the 2010 budget to keep enforcing that policy?
GATES: Well, it continues to be the law. And any change in the policy would require a change in the law. We will follow that law whatever it is. That dialog though has really not progressed very far at this point in the administration. I think the President and I feel like we’ve got a lot on our plates right now and let’s push that one down the road a little bit.
Watch it:
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Ability to juggle numerous balls simultaneously? It seems President Obama got major pushback from the Defense Department.
Removing an inspection/enforcement program is rather simple. There is nothing to replace it with. The military already does outstanding diversity training.
March 29th, 2009 at 11:12 amWhen you need more troops in Afghanistan, because history suggests that you will, I wonder if you’ll find time for this issue then, Mr. Gates?
No wonder more and more Americans want to spend less and less money on the military…
March 29th, 2009 at 11:18 amTranslation: “Well, that is a progressive/liberal issue, so we aren’t going to confront it. Why do you DFH even bother?”
March 29th, 2009 at 11:26 amI think President Obama is doing a Good job dealing with the situation he Inherited.
And he really excells at Explaining his Policies to the American People.
BUT ..so far (a whole 2 months!) his policies have yet to show IMPROVEMENT in the situations of Most Americans.
This will change, but it will take AWHILE. In the mean time, the last thing he needs is to be DISTRACTED by issues such as this. It would be a gift to the Rush Limbaughs of the world.
I think Obama KNOWS that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is WRONG… and I also think our Overburdened Military mostly agrees with him…BUT TIMING is Critical.
I trust Obama to do the Right Thing, when he feels the TIME is RIGHT. First, the American People need to feel that we are Pulling out of this Economic Ditch.
March 29th, 2009 at 11:30 amTruman desegregated the military with an executive order. It is not rocket science. I comprehend the politics of the matter, but we need all the people we can get, especially interpreters.
March 29th, 2009 at 11:33 amSpot On.
March 29th, 2009 at 11:37 amWe also need a clear denunciation of the prejudice.
Shorter Gates:
“I’m not ready to come out of the closet yet, I can’t find anything that goes with Military Grey…”
March 29th, 2009 at 11:41 amFrom EXECUTIVE ORDER 9981 – July 26, 1948 (with a minor additive)
March 29th, 2009 at 11:41 am
5 ectoendomezo Says:
Why do you assume that if Obama were to rescind DADT, that “coming out of the closet” would be a way out of the military? I realize this might be why DADT was institutited in the first place, but it need not be this way going forward. I guess the concept of change is difficult for Republicans.
March 29th, 2009 at 11:55 amI am sick and tired of hearing that “timing is everything”! That has been the excuse for politicians through my lifetime for things not getting done. When my kids, growing up, said “not now,” the answer I gave was “Now.”
If we don’t push for our issues now, don’t hold your breath. There will be an election where they don’t want to piss off the moderates; there will be a “crisis” that needs attention; there will be more dems that can make it happen after the next election cycle; there aren’t the votes, so we can’t raise the issue. BS!
March 29th, 2009 at 12:14 pmAfter 9+ weeks in office, the President, Mr. obama achieved more then most former Presidents.
March 29th, 2009 at 12:19 pmBut of course FOXY NOISE wants everything in the first 100 days.
So, my suggestion is: sit quit on your hands and be pationed this law will change in do-time and after that, your ass will be on the line.
Candide,
I’m in favor of you pushing any issues you want.
I believe it was FDR, who was confronted by an advocate , who demanded he take a certain action.
”
Roosevelt said ” I agree with you, Now go out and Make me do it.”
I think the Clinton Presidency clearly illustrates the point that TIMING can defeat the Best of Intentions.
I feel the way I do, because I Think that Obama is a different kind of President , and he hasn’t been given enough time.
Naive???? We’ll see.
March 29th, 2009 at 12:26 pmI dont know why these homosexuals think they deserve equal rights; I mean, after all, what do they think they are? Americans? Tax Paying citizens? Patriots?
Yes, my tongue is firmly in cheek here.
March 29th, 2009 at 12:34 pmWhat is the monetary cost of DADT, that makes it a budget item? This has me stumped!
March 29th, 2009 at 12:52 pmWow MCH, after battling trolls, I was confused, I almost flagged you. Heh heh heh, glad I can read. :]
March 29th, 2009 at 12:55 pmI remember the caving in the last time around in, was it ‘93.
It seems that what is lacking on making progress with this issue is leadership.
March 29th, 2009 at 12:57 pmI actually saw his intention to repeal DADT on a list of “evidence” that he’s the Anti-Christ. It’s sad to see it put on the backburner, but I agree that economic issues and health insurance are real monster issues right now that need to be resolved in everyone’s favor.
March 29th, 2009 at 1:11 pmI have confidence that this issue will be taken care of in the near future — but seriously, how long does it take to sign an Executive Order…?
I’d like to hear from President Obama on this issue, sooner rather than later.
March 29th, 2009 at 1:17 pmEXECUTIVE ORDER 9981 – July 26, 1948
March 29th, 2009 at 1:31 pmI note that Truman’s executive order was issued after the war ended.
DADT is offensive and must be repealed. I believe Obama believes that. For now, however, like a few other matters, it just cannot take top priority. It’s still on the list – just not #1.
Badger–
March 29th, 2009 at 1:48 pmYou mentioned Clinton failed and that it was a timing issue. I disagree. Clinton may not have had a chance to succeed with the gays in the military given the forces opposed to him 16 years ago. Instead of standing firm on the issue and making a stand, he caved and made things worse. In the end, he looked like he was not only weak, but he didn’t have the courage of his convictions. This plagued him later, and I think led in part to the failure of the health care proposals of his administration. I disagree that timing is everything. I think it is often used as cover to do nothing.
I will concede, though, that my thinking is that the squeaky wheel does get the grease. I think for that reason, the left must be relentless in pushing their whole agenda, and not permit the inevitable slew of excuses to block their agenda.
But Candide,
Clinton was overwhelmingly ReElected in 1996, after having a sexual encounter with a Whitehouse Intern…and then Lying about it on National Television to the American People.
This was AFTER the previously sputtering Economy Came Roaring Back.
I still think timing is critical….Clinton should have waited to advocate for gay rights for the Military…. with an Economic Wind at his Back.
I do Agree with you , that caving on the issue was a Mistake.
March 29th, 2009 at 2:31 pmWhen Gates Said:
Gates Meant:
March 29th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Remember,
There will ALWAYS be something more important than repealing DADT…
There will ALWAYS be a full plate…
It’s like Thanksgiving and having to find room for Aunt Gerty’s gizzard pudding…
March 29th, 2009 at 3:06 pm… I’m saving room for desert?
I know the topic is the military and not marriage, however equal rights are equal rights.
I have a standing challenge open to any of my Republican friends who seem to think Christian values are a valid reason to keep gay marriage illegal (setting aside the 1st ammendment argument) and yet also seem to think we need to do away with medicaid and food stamps.
Find me any place in any of the 4 gospels where Jesus condemns gay marriage and I’ll vote Republican for the rest of my life. However, if I can find 10 places where Jesus says to take care of the poor and the children, they have to vote Democratic. So far, nobody has taken me up on that challenge.
March 29th, 2009 at 3:39 pmMCH — you have no challenges from the “christian” rightwing because you have facts on your side.
March 29th, 2009 at 3:48 pmA minor additive?
That’s a major revision!
—
Either way why should anyone care?
March 29th, 2009 at 4:10 pmA minor additive?
That’s a major revision!
—
Either way why should anyone care?
March 29th, 2009 at 4:10 pmBill Clinton was strongly supported by the gay community, made a lot of promises, and stabbed them in the back by implementing DADT and signing the Defense of Marriage Act. If Obama allows himself to be cowed into breaking his promises and betraying his supporters, he deserves to lose their support. He’s already on thin ice because of his lavish rewards to the Wall Street swindlers who caused the global collapse, his devious Iraq strategy cloaking continued occupation as withdrawal, and his foolish escalation in Afghanistan. The progressives put Obama in power, but he’s forgotten who his friends were.
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MCH Says:
I know the topic is the military and not marriage, however equal rights are equal rights.
I have a standing challenge open to any of my Republican friends who seem to think Christian values are a valid reason to keep gay marriage illegal (setting aside the 1st ammendment argument) and yet also seem to think we need to do away with medicaid and food stamps.
Find me any place in any of the 4 gospels where Jesus condemns gay marriage and I’ll vote Republican for the rest of my life. However, if I can find 10 places where Jesus says to take care of the poor and the children, they have to vote Democratic. So far, nobody has taken me up on that challenge.
March 29th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
While the NT doesn’t record Christ speaking about homosexuality, it doesn’t record Him speaking about acceptable sexual expression and what constitutes a marriage.
Christ speaks about the Creator’s intended for sexual expression in Matthew 19, where He says that that a man and a woman would be one flesh in a marriage. Christ remarks that this was the Creator’s intended from the beginning.
As far as bit is concerned Jesus’ remark is the standard as to what a marriage is to be. bit further believes Christ’s remarks clearly define marriage for all those who believe in Christ;i.e., Christians.
Christ also remarks on sexual behavior in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew Christ actually raises the standard of acceptable sexual behavior into the stratosphere when he says that adultery is not just about action but also about attitude. This is the famous – paraphrasing – “..if one looks at a woman to lust after her he has committed adultery with her in his heart.”
It’s amazing to bit that this teacher – Christ – who said a man and a woman are one flesh in a marriage and who said don’t lust after a woman might somehow be construed to be Ok with so-called same-same gender marriage. Nothing in the NT leads bit to believe Christ overlooked illicit sexual behavior. (Licit sex is between a man and a woman married to each other. )
Much is said about the poor in the NT, but none of what is said is outside the guidelines of the tenth commandment: “You shall not covet.” Covetousness is not limited to any particular strata of the socioeconomic scale, but you won’t find the NT saying the those on the lower end should be given what those on the upper end have worked to have.
The NT is also famous for this quote:”If a man doesn’t work he doesn’t eat.
The OT makes it clear that the poor who can gather their own grain are to be given the dignity of being able to do that.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:04 am