Gates warns against quick repeal of ‘don’t ask’

[VMI Dem]

Changing the law before the assessment is complete, Gates wrote, "would send a very damaging message to our men and women in uniform that in essence their views, concerns, and perspectives do not matter on an issue with such a direct impact and consequence for them and their families."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sc-dc-military-gays1-20100430,0,2093692.story

Those that aren't bigots should support the repeal. The views, concerns and perspectives of the homophobes that oppose the repeal don't matter. Guess Gates has his marching orders - delay until after the midterms. And probably beyond.

[Bluenorthwest]

1. Gates is a Republican

appointed by one too.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

4. WITH A REALLY CHECKERED PAST.

[Thothmes]

7. He was appointed by President Obama and confirmed

by a Senate with a majority Democratic membership.

[ShortnFiery]

21. No, Gates was nominated by George W. Bush and confirmed by a GOP Senate. eom

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/06/gates.confirmation/index.html

[Thothmes]

22. His continuance in the current position has nothing to with

Bush. He is SECDEF because President Obama accepted him for the position. He is Obama's man in that position now.

[totodeinhere]

24. Yes, he was nominated by Bush. Then Obama nominated him again.

And he was confirmed by the Democrat controlled Senate in early 2009.

[tekisui]

11. So? He works at the pleasure of the President.

He is part of Obama's cabinet.

[ruggerson]

2. well he has it all ass backwards

the "damaging message" is that Americans can't serve the armed forces in the country of their birth, because of their genetic hardwiring.

His remarks reek of someone far more concerned about bigots than about those whom are discriminated against.

This is just way fucked up.

[boppers]

6. "genetic hardwiring"?

Every so often there's a claim for a "gay gene", which seems to get rapidly refuted, is there a new one that hasn't been refuted yet?

[That Is Quite Enough]

9. Sorry, I think we all forgot that you have to -choose- to be gay.

:eyes:

[boppers]

10. False dilemma.

Genetics and choice aren't the only two factors.

[tekisui]

12. What are the other factors?

[boppers]

14. Environment is one usual blanket "third factor" term....

As a term, it covers everything from hormone exposure in the womb, to child socialization, to religious upbringing, to number and gender of siblings, (etc. etc. etc.).

[IndianaGreen]

16. So many gays come from Christian fundamentalist families

is that part of your "third factor?"

Loving Jesus turns you gay?

[boppers]

17. As a thought exercise...

I'd hazard a guess that fundamentalism tends to label folks as "not straight enough", and being raised in a heritage/climate of binary thinking would condition somebody to think they were either straight, or gay, without a whole lot of middle ground or continuum.... leading to some very conflicted behavior patterns.

[IndianaGreen]

18. Human rights are not a 'thought exercise'

And the only "conflicted behavior patterns" I see is your ambivalence about LGBTs being entitled to the full rights of citizenship that all heteros enjoy.

[boppers]

19. You're reading something in that isn't there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thought_experiment

I was addressing the why/how, not the underlying moral and political issues.

For some examples of "conflicted behavior patterns" see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donnie_McClurkin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Haggard

My past boyfriends and girlfriends would find your accusations of "ambivalence" about LGBTQ rights amusing, I'm sure... you're aiming your ire in the wrong direction.

[ruggerson]

20. yeah, that's believable

n/t

[William769]

23. Has there been a claim for a "stupidity Gene"?

If there has been, I beg of you sign up for the study. Your participation would help finding it much quicker.

[Mz Pip]

3. Quick???

This issue has been debated, discussed and lamented for years. Time to stop with the words and take so action. There is nothing quick about this.

[saracat]

5. Who the heck unrecs things like this? Is information not allowed?

Or don't some want to KNOW anything that doesn't fit their narrative?
It is a disgrace how DADT is being manipulated. This is both a Civil Rights and a National Security issue.If Truman could desegregate the Armed Forces without getting an OK personally from every enlisted man,surely the oppressive regulations concerning Gay members of the military can be repealed. And there is no reason to wait.This can be done by executive order and the Congress can deal with it later.

[VMI Dem]

8. Apologists.

[tekisui]

13. Party-liners.

I also call them talking-pointers.

[IndianaGreen]

15. The board's Stalinists!

They prefer to listen to Squealer exalt the accomplishments of Napoleon.

[QC]

25. Fans.