Senate will hold hearings on DADT - Gillibrand

[grantcart]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/07/27/gay.military/index.html

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A key U.S. Senate committee will hold a hearing on the military's controversial "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays and lesbians, according to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a New York Democrat.


A New York senator says the Senate Armed Services Committee will take up "don't ask, don't tell."

The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold the hearing in the fall, she said in a written announcement.

A committee spokeswoman confirmed that there will be hearings but that no specific legislation is under consideration.

"Don't ask, don't tell" is the policy that prevents openly gay troops from serving in the U.S. military.

Former President Clinton instituted it in 1993 as a way of loosening restrictions on gay men and lesbians serving in the armed forces, but its opponents say it does not go far enough.

" 'Don't ask, don't tell' is an unfair, outdated measure that violates the civil rights of some of our bravest, most heroic men and women," Gillibrand said in her statement. "By repealing this policy, we will increase America's strength -- both militarily and morally."

Excellent start for a new Senator.

[bluestateguy]

1. That's good, but it's our job to keep the heat on to get the policy changed

And no doubt that the other side will try to find some compelling witnesses to testify for their side: like decorated war veterans with medals pinned all over their suits, and crotchety old white male retired generals to pleeeeese not let the scary gays in.

That kind of showmanship will have to be countered.