By Brody Levesque (Washington DC) Apr 30 | In a letter published this afternoon in response to an inquiry sent Tuesday by House Armed Services Committee Chairman, Ike Skleton (D-MO), Defence Secretary Robert Gates warned that it would be damaging to the armed forces & their families should Congress implement repeal of DADT ahead of completion of the ongoing DOD study."Our military must be afforded the opportunity to inform us of their concerns, insights and suggestions if we are to carry out this change successfully," Gates wrote and then said repealing the DADT law prior "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," he said.
The letter was cosigned by Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Both men had indicated in their testimony before the U. S. Senate Armed Services Committee in February that they were in favor of repealing the 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' law. Congressional advocates for repeal-- led by Senators Joseph I. Lieberman (I-CN) & Carl Levin (D-MI) and Rep. Patrick Murphy(D-PA) -- want to end the ban before the Pentagon completes its review, while others, including Chairman Skelton, are skeptical. Skelton last fall telling reporters that he was in fact dubious of repeal and therefore was opposed to it.
White House Assistant Press Secretary Tommy Vietor told reporters this evening that;
"The President's commitment to repealing "don't ask, don't tell" is unequivocal. This is not a question of if, but how. That's why we've said that the implementation of any congressional repeal will be delayed until the DOD study of how best to implement that repeal is completed. The President is committed to getting this done both soon and right."
A source at the Human Rights Campaign, speaking on the condition of anonymity, angrily commented;
"Good for Gates....treat the military like a corporation and they will become one. What's next? Strikes if they don't want to go to war? The military is NOT a corporation...they enforce prejudicial policies all the time for good reason: too fat, can't serve; missing a limb, can't serve; blind, can't serve...yup, being openly gay and sleeping in a two person tent, nope ain't gonna happen. If the ban gets raised, expect separate living quarters and if not, then the straight guys should be allowed to shower an sleep in the same quarters as the females. It's only fair."
Joe.My.God's blogger Joe Jervis noted that his state's U. S. Senator, New York Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, had issued the following statement this evening:
“I respectfully disagree with Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen. Congress should not sit on their hands. Now is the time for Congress to show strong leadership and repeal this disastrous policy. ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell' is wrong for our national security and inconsistent with the moral foundation upon which our country was founded. When we repeal this policy – and we will repeal this policy – we will strengthen America - both militarily and morally."
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