Pentagon to federal court: Give us time to end 'don't ask, don't tell'

[unhappycamper]

In this April 16 phto, from left, Petty Officer Autumn Sandeen, Lt. Dan Choi, Cpl. Evelyn Thomas, Capt. Jim Pietrangelo II, Cadet Mara Boyd, and Petty Officer Larry Whitt stand handcuffed to a fence outside the White House during a protest for gay rights. A federal judge issued a worldwide injunction Tuesday stopping enforcement of 'don't ask, don't tell.'


Pentagon to federal court: Give us time to end 'don't ask, don't tell'
By Anna Mulrine, Staff writer / October 15, 2010

Washington - Defense Department lawyers warned this week in a letter to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that a judge's order for the Pentagon to stop enforcing the ban on openly gay troops serving in the armed forces could “irreparably harm our military and the national security of the United States.”

This admonition came on the heels of a court order for the Defense Department “immediately to suspend and discontinue any investigation, or discharge, deparation, or other proceeding that may have been commenced under the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Act.” The Justice Department Thursday filed an appeal to the court’s decision, and it is seeking a stay of the injunction while the appeal is pending. If its initial bid is rejected, the Obama administration could ultimately appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.

~snip~

Why then such strongly worded resistance to the court decree? The Pentagon says it must first finish up a study – due to be completed Dec. 1 – investigating precisely what the impact of lifting the ban will be. This change has implications for regulations surrounding spousal health care and base grocery store privileges, for example, as well as housing issues for single soldiers.

“The study is not intended to say whether or not it should happen,” explains the senior military official. “It’s about what the impact is going to be.” This, in turn, will help to show the Pentagon where any pockets of resistance may be “so we can do education outreach,” as well as identify branches and bases where dropping the ban is expected to go relatively smoothly, the official adds.

Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Clifford Stanley speculated in a memo to the court what might happen if the Pentagon is not given another 1-1/2 months to complete its study. “A poorly implemented transition will not only cause short-term disruption to military operations, but would also jeopardize the long-term success of the transition,” he wrote.

[xchrom]

1. what. the. fuck. -- we are already there. already functioning.

we're all over in the military -- so just fucking STOP.

[LonePirate]

2. This is more fear mongering from Obama's DoD. The injunction does not halt the study due Dec. 1.

Maybe we need to start ejecting bigots from the military.

[The Philosopher]

3. Two points the DoD keeps telling us

1. There's something obviously wrong with us and it takes time for straights to adjust to seeing us.

and

2. The DoD doesn't think our military is professional.

[keepCAblue]

4. They've had 17 fucking years. How much more time do they need? n/t

[Zenlitened]

5. This is a genuine crisis. America's top military officials are telling us...

... they've been caught utterly unprepared for this contingency.

If they can't handle something this slow-moving and easily anticipated, then they are by definition incompetent to hold leadership positions in America's military.

This is a national security crisis, and needs to be addressed as such.

[kenny blankenship]

6. So let me guess...You never did any contingency planning? You never "war gamed" this event?

That's what you Pentagon geniuses are saying to us. You plan for every contingency EXCEPT for the US Constitution finally taking effect...

[Zenlitened]

7. That's exactly what they're saying, it seems to me.

By their own admission they are incompetent to lead.

[kenny blankenship]

8. While we're at it... Obama won the Presidency nearly 2 years ago

So not only did the Pentagon decline to take his pledges as an incoming Pres. to end DADT seriously and draft a contingency plan, but it would also seem that he has never asked for one.

[tjwmason]

9. How long do they need?

Ending the ban in the British military took 3 1/2 months.

The European Court ruled on 27 September that investigation into the sexual orientation of servicemen and women was illegal, the Defence Secretary formally ended the ban (with immediate effect) on 12 January.

[pgodbold]

10. Well you gays have had years of experience being shat upon.

It is only fair that we are given time to adjust to your petty demands. Translation: You're used to it. Remember: A good fag always knows his place and never begs for food at the table.
:sarcasm: