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Obama and Gates talk about gays in the military

Posted by Michael Kranish March 18, 2009 05:48 PM

By Bryan Bender
Globe Staff

WASHINGTON _ President Barack Obama and Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates recently held their first -- if only brief -- one-on-one to plot strategy for how to permit gays to serve openly in the military, we learn today.

"I've had one brief conversation with the president about it at this point," Gates told reporters at the Pentagon this afternoon. As for the substance of the conversation, Gates wasn't talking, but his comments marked the first public acknowledgement that the commander-in-chief and his Pentagon boss have discussed how the controversial "don't ask, don't tell" law might be reversed .

Lifting the ban was an Obama campaign pledge, but his administration has since been extremely tight-lipped about its plans. It has declined to provide a timeline for when it will begin actively taking steps to prepare for a change in policy within the ranks or to lobby members of Congress, many of which remain wary of changing the law.

Obama advisers have privately expressed anxiety about pushing too aggressively for the change so early in Obama's presidency. They cite the experience of President Clinton, who sought to allow gays to serve openly soon after taking office but was forced to agree to the current law after a revolt by top brass and their allies on Capitol Hill.

The "don't ask, don't tell" law permits gays to serve in the military only if they keep their sexual orientation secret. More than 11,000 servicemen and women have been discharged for violating the law.

Support for the law has steadily eroded over the years, particularly after the dismissal of gay military personnel with critical skills needed in the war on terrorism such as knowledge of foreign languages.

Thirty-eight graduates of the US Military Academy at West Point came out on Monday in an effort to educate troops on the need to honor the service of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender troops.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, Democratic Rep. Ellen Tauscher of California proposed legislation in the House of Representatives to lift the ban.

But many hurdles remain. The office of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts says they are still searching for a Republican cosponsor before offering a companion bill in the upper chamber, where observers predict it will be much harder to get approval.

And at the Pentagon, Gates and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, appear to be under orders to take a cautious approach.

"It's a subject that Admiral Mullen and I are discussing in terms of what to do next and how to move forward," Gates said today. "Those discussions are still ongoing."

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I am absolutely sick to my stomach thinking about homosexuals serving openly in the US military. The Clinton policy was disgusting and now this. While on active duty more than 20 years ago, I sat on a separation board that discharged a homosexual AIr Force NCO, and I woulod be glad to do it again. I am only glad that I have been retired for 17 years.

Posted by M Harris March 18, 09 07:51 PM
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I think the policy should be called "Who Knows, Who Cares". Or "Either way, I got your back"

Posted by oh snap March 18, 09 08:28 PM
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@M Harris

Those of us who believe that sexuality has nothing to do with combat readiness are also glad that you have been retired for 17 years.

Thank you for serving.

Posted by riggssm March 18, 09 08:29 PM
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I agree, Mr. Harris is clearly "Absolutely sick" - with bigotry !

Posted by i.b. March 18, 09 08:33 PM
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Hey M Harris,

First, you're an idiot!

Second, guess what? You served with gay men whether you want to admit it to yourself or not. Hell I'm sure you considered some of them close friends while you were serving.

Thanks for your service but do yourself and this country a favor and stop spreading the hatred you swore to protect and defend against!

Posted by ATR March 18, 09 08:34 PM
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Yea man, imagine someone willing to give their life for their country and being gay at the same time. Talk about a conflict of interest. Now let's just picture educated gays with the vital language skills and abilities to help us out in Iraq and Afghanistan. How absurd would that be!? I'm glad we have people like M Harris to straighten us out with the facts.

Posted by Danny from Philly March 18, 09 08:36 PM
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@M Harris: You seem to have forgotten, in the midst of your blinding homophobia, that gays have been serving in ours and every single military body around the globe since time began. You can't possibly think that all your buddies at the AirForce were straight, can you? What should make you sick to your stomach is your hatred, narrow-mindedness, and utter disrespect for every gay servicewoman and men who has bravely served this country. Shame on you.

Posted by G Clarence March 18, 09 08:37 PM
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President Earmark has never been in the military. He has absolutely no military experience. God forbid the country requires military leadership! Ergo, he doesn't have an opinion- just sentiments.

Posted by anonymous March 18, 09 11:26 PM
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@M Harris: Applause to all those folks who are calling you out. How old are you? Grow up and learn to RESPECT all those brave men and women who have served this country. Thank you for your service to our country but you should be ashamed of yourself.

Posted by D Auker March 19, 09 12:16 AM
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This policy is just ridiculous. I think they need to go even farther than repealing it - all those people who were kicked out the military should be retroactively given an honorable discharge.

Posted by Allison March 19, 09 12:45 AM
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America should show the world that we ate still a country with morales at least our military. Obama is already making us look weak overseas and he wants to let a bunch of homo serve openly. Much rather had four more years of gwb

Posted by Jacob March 29, 09 03:34 PM
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