But are the men capable of this? Will there be more crimes, like the one I mentioned in #22, the MP’s laugh at and the CO and 1st Sgt have no control over and nothing gets done?

Probably. But that’s not a good enough reason not to do it.

U.S. combat troops are scheduled to leave Iraq’s towns and cities by June 30 and redeploy to bases outside, according to a security pact that took effect in January.

Women in the military, few lesbians, most not lived together without incidence. No one cared, another thing they got used to, no one changed orientation and each seemed to respect each others orientation. You hear Randi Rhodes talk about this also as she was in the military.

But are the men capable of this? Will there be more crimes, like the one I mentioned in #22, the MP’s laugh at and the CO and 1st Sgt have no control over and nothing gets done?

A few Years back, I worked in a military hospital. I will never forget the enlisted girl that was raped on her way to work. She went to the Military Police and they literally laughed at her. She went to her first Sgt. and commanding officer and found these people to be powerless. Also, a trail the enlisted girls had to walk on and where this girl was raped, to get to work from the barracks was long and dark… and nothing was ever done to remedy that situation. In the mindset of too many of the enlisted men back then, enlisted women were either a whore or a lesbian, especially a lesbian if you turned them down… so this may have been a violent act against one with an assumed orientation. Still, today you hear of these stories.

But on second thought a Don’t ask don’t tell because we don’t care, gays in the military could remain safe by being discrete until able to live off base.

Again, with all due respect… military law needs to be repealed by Congress. We cannot have Obama repealing anything he pleases. He does not have the power. Should he repeal it and not deal with the underlying laws, being gay in the military will be illegal.

I’m unconcerned with any “safety issues” had enough is talking about. In all past cases of servicepeople outing themselves, they have been subject to no harrassment or intimidation from their peers whatsoever prior to discharge.

In fact, that degree of concern reminds me of similar concerns cited in the past to keep women out of the military, as well as opposing racial integration of combat units.

Don’t ask, don’t tell because we don’t care. Then retroactively with pay reinstate those unfairly discharged due to orientation.

Can we co that Congress?

With all due respect Bil, please read Tommy’s post. He cannot make them cease. We didn’t elect Bush again. I mentioned before but I am not prepared to go back to a period of time where the President can override any law he pleases.

This is an issue for Congress though I do think Obama should push them on it but given the things on their plate and the party of NO, this might take a while.

I would like to see time and energy put towards working out a set of new rules and strict guidelines against those harassing or causing violence towards others due to orientation before the openly gay can enter basic training.

And this has what to do with DADT?

It has everything to do with violence towards another group of people.

The group mob mentality some still have would be a danger.

Issues in combat… you still hear of stories of ‘offing off’ one for various reasons.

For those past basic training and occupational training, there is absolutely no reason, with the exception of combat, why anyone of any gender or orientation could safely do their job as in most cases they have the option of living off quarters.

If President Obama truly is committed to repealing DADT, then he needs to issue an immediate directive to the military telling them to cease and desist in kicking gays out.

That would cause an uproar that Obama is a) usurping Congress and b) moving way too fast for the chain of command.

I’m frustrated that it is taking this long to start the research and reporting phase, but that has to be done to politically execute the change and avoid a Clinton redux.

I’m impatient as hell, and unhappy about Lt. Choi and others.
But now Gibbs is on record. He better not walk this back (he sounded unprepared for this question IMO, which increases the risk of a walk-back).

Our military is the lone outlier among “western” democratic militaries on this issue already. Repealing DADT to go to a full ban would be nutso.

And this has what to do with DADT?

So perhaps you can show us where candidate Obama said he would repeal DADT within the first 5 months of his presidency?

And what “safety issues” would those be?