Obama Stabs Us In The Heart Again Over Don't Ask Don't Tell
PUBLISHED: SEPTEMBER 24, 2010
The Obama administration is seeking to limit the effect of a ruling against
“Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” arguing Thursday that an immediate end would
harm the military at a time of war.
“Don't Ask, Don't Tell,” arguing Thursday that an immediate end would
harm the military at a time of war.
In a last-minute filing in California, the Justice Department is seeking to
limit the effect of a ruling that declared the 1993 law, which bans gay
troops from serving openly, unconstitutional.
limit the effect of a ruling that declared the 1993 law, which bans gay
troops from serving openly, unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge Virginia A. Phillips ruled earlier this month that the
Pentagon's policy violates the First and Fifth Amendment rights of gay
and lesbian service members. She ruled the policy has a “direct and
deleterious effect” on the armed forces.
Pentagon's policy violates the First and Fifth Amendment rights of gay
and lesbian service members. She ruled the policy has a “direct and
deleterious effect” on the armed forces.
Gay GOP group the Log Cabin Republicans challenged the policy and
asked Phillips for a “worldwide, military-wide injunction” against its
enforcement.
asked Phillips for a “worldwide, military-wide injunction” against its
enforcement.
Government lawyers, however, argued that Phillips' ruling should be
limited to the 19,000 members of the Log Cabin Republicans, to do
otherwise would harm the military.
limited to the 19,000 members of the Log Cabin Republicans, to do
otherwise would harm the military.
“A court should not compel the Executive to implement an immediate
cessation … without regard for any effect such an abrupt change might
have on the military's operations, particularly at a time when the military
is engaged in combat operations and other demanding military activities
around the globe,” the filing says.
cessation … without regard for any effect such an abrupt change might
have on the military's operations, particularly at a time when the military
is engaged in combat operations and other demanding military activities
around the globe,” the filing says.
The action comes two days after Congressional Democrats failed to move
forward legislative repeal of the policy.
forward legislative repeal of the policy.
President Obama campaigned on the promise to end the Clinton-era policy,
but gay activists are furious that the White House remained mum through
most of the debate.
but gay activists are furious that the White House remained mum through
most of the debate.
“We are extremely disappointed with the Obama administration,” R. Clarke Cooper, executive director of the Log Cabin Republicans, told the
Washington Post. “Many times on the campaign trail, President Obama
said he would support the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' Now that it's
time to step up to the plate, he isn't even in the ballpark.”
Washington Post. “Many times on the campaign trail, President Obama
said he would support the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' Now that it's
time to step up to the plate, he isn't even in the ballpark.”
Several lawmakers – including Senators Kirsten Gillibrand of New York
and Mark Udall of Colorado – had urged the president to not appeal the
ruling.
and Mark Udall of Colorado – had urged the president to not appeal the
ruling.
BY CARLOS SANTOSCOY
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