'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Should Be Next DoD Program Cut

by: Snead

Tue Apr 07, 2009 at 21:50:22 PM EDT

While Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is making noise in Washington this week with the newest DoD budget, big money defense contractors aren't the only group left out in the cold.

One reform absent from Gates' budget is repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". This, despite claims from the Obama White House that "DADT" is on its way out and signs that work has begun on developing a replacement policy. But a repeal of "DADT" can't be made by Gates alone. It will take the President and Congress to repeal this law that is preventing gays and lesbians from serving their country with honor. 

"DADT" architects like Gen. Colin Powell know it's time for a "do-over" on this 15-year-old law. In a House Armed Services Committee meeting last year, Army veteran and Congressman Patrick Murphy pointed out that service, sacrifice and unit cohesion have as little to do with gender as they do with sexual orientation. Former Secretary of the Army Clifford Alexander, the first African-American to serve in that post, is another outspoken opponent of "DADT". As Alexander says, gays in the Army are Soldiers in the Army. The same types of biased laws and regulations which once tried to create a distinction between black Marines or female Sailors are causing us to neglect countless warriors who only want to serve without fear.

And if anyone should know better, it's our 20th Century Generals. Unfortunately, as Brandon Friedman of VetVoice recently detailed,  1,000 flag and general officers signed a letter to President Obama supporting the continued ban on gays serving openly in the military. Some of

But here we are fighting on two fronts, never sure when the next threat may appear on the horizon, and discharging perfectly good servicemembers because of this out-dated, out-of-touch law.

With gay marriage making headlines from Vermont and Iowa to Washington, DC and California, VoteVets.org is also pushing for action on "DADT". Last week, they launched an online petition for veterans who support a repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" through the DoD budget and with Congressional action to strike down the law. Nearly 3,000 vets have already signed up and the site includes a letter-writing tool for civilians to show their opposition to "DADT".

It's time for the American military to evolve and this is one reform that can't wait.