CNN

[...] Change to Don't Ask, Don't Tell Posted on July 1, 2009 by yojoe According to CNN, SecDef Gates has discussed a change to Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy for the military. [...]

Hey if gays want to fight and die, let them. Keep 'em right at the front line, and let them take bullets like the straight soldiers do.

I wonder how much taxpayer funded Medicaid and Medicare healthcare costs are to the US taxpayer as associated with paying for AIDS treatments in support of the homosexual lifestyle? Obama, you've increased taxes on cigarettes for their associated detrimental health effects, you're looking at a FED sales tax, you're telling us what lite bulbs to use and car to drive, so why not tax being GAY!

Leave it alone! I am a veteran; I do not feel comfortable sharing shower stalls, open toilets, and field latrines with gays. call me homophobe, call me anything. Don't ask, don't tell has been working well since 1993. Leave it alone.

OK ... here's an idea .. take each "don't ask, don't tell" situation on a case by case basis ... and here is what I mean by that.

IF the soldier is in a sensitive position (Translator in an Arab/Muslim country ... gunner in a tank battalion or other close quarters) then I believe the milltary would be WELL within its rights to re-assign the soldier in question to a less sensitive position.

IF the soldier is in a non sensitive position (Support staff ... medical staff .. etc.) then leave the soldier be.

In short ... re-assign if by staying in the current position, the soldier is at risk (And being gay in a Muslim country DOES qualify as being "at risk".)or combat readiness of a unit is compromised ...Otherwise, leave the soldier alone.

Personally ... I think a little common sense would go a LOONG way in resolving this.

(But we ARE talking about an extension of the federal government and since WHEN has common sense factored into ANY of their decisions?)

Don't ask don't tell is out dated and homophobic. While it was a step in the right direction, if someone can serve because someone was seeking revenge by outing them, then they can serve period. If their conduct creates a problem then there are other provissions of the UCMJ that can be used to deal with them.

Maybe our legislators should have the same guidlines. At least our service people are truly serving our country. Unlike our legislators.

"Obama Administration plans to selectively enforce the "don't ask don't tell" ban on gays in the military so that some gays could serve."

Folks...You can't get anymore wishy-washy than this, talk about fence straddling by Obama and Gates, you either enforce the law or you don't.

How can anyone... WITH A STRAIGHT FACE... say something is going to be "selectively" enforced? Okay... what other laws are going to be enforced "selectively"????

I wonder what the CNN Political Ticker's resident law expert, Attorney Sniffit, Esq., has to say about this.

How do you "selectively enforce" something like this?

One thing I give Bush credit for was assigning Mr. Gates SOD. And I commend President Obama for keeping him on. DADT should be a flexible law, especially in a time of war. As a veteran, there are only 2 reasons why I think DADT is effective. First, it maintains discipline. Secondly, it prevents hate crimes from occuring in the military.

This is America.

It's supposed to be the land of the free, home of the brave. We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.

At what point will people understand that discrimination of ANY kind should not be allowed?

To put this in perspective - when an opposing army comes crashing through our borders, shooting everyone in sight, I don't care what our soldiers do in their personal life (as long as it's legal and no one is hurt). You've got someone willing to pick up a gun and defend this country and its citizens, it shouldn't matter if they're gay or straight, Protestant or Catholic, tall or short, fat or skinny - I don't care if they worship the Flying Spaghetti Monster! This is America, and discrimination SHOULD be a thing of the past. It's shameful, embarrassing and a pox on the fact that this IS America!

I m all for Gays opnely serving in the military. I do have a question however. How would they handle living arrangements? I would not as a male, want to bunk with a bunch of gay guys. Just as the opposite sex is segregated to avoid problems. So with that said, would they have gay bunks? I know some gays will say "how dare you be so crude", or "it doesn't work that way", but, it is no different than a man who looks at a woman and is attracted. And, a woman would not want to shower with a bunch of guys, so, how is it different? In order for this to work, there needs to be seperation when it comes to living arrangements.

This is a volunteer military and those that choose to serve should be allowed to do that. I don't care who fights and serves the country as long as they do the job well and doesn't compromises our security. There are stories in the press that people are being discharged even though they vital skills that we are in need of; that makes little sense to me. They want to serve? I say let them serve!

To all Christians who feel right condeming gays: While it may contain some laudable sentiment, the Bible cannot be used as a basis for civil law in any nation that values freedom, justice, and equity. Laws must be precise, specific, and fair. Given the Bible's inconsistencies, absurdities, discriminatory attitudes, and varying interpretations – along with the fact that it can be used to justify nearly any action – it is ill suited for the purpose of law, especially in a free society. Criticize what you want as sin, but if those attitudes cannot be justified through evidence or demonstratable harm, then do not expect a nation founded on liberty to legally enforce your bigotry.

This law is unconstitutional and should be removed entirely, not applied selectively. What a ruse.

I know the process to repeal this ridiculous law has begun. What my worries are is if we can get around this law as suggested, will the law stay in place?

Just repeal the policy already! Stop dragging this out. It's discriminatory. It's nonsensical. It needs to end.

Just do it.

Trying to finesse this silly, discriminatory rule is nonsense; Obama should do away with it NOW.

When I was in the military I shared a barracks room with a homosexual man. Never had any problems.

We were both respectful of each other. It is not that big of an issue.

I have no clue why people hate gays. Except to say they are usually the same people who hate a lot of things. It is very evident it is genetic but try to convince someone who thinks the earth is 6,ooo years old. If a gay person is the best heart surgeon in the world do I not use him because they are gay. If your worried about the sex thing just look at a priest, a judge, a senator, a governor and tell me they are normal. I am not gay and can't simply hate something I don't do or I might hate just hate dancing with the stars because I don't dance.

You have a law - leave it alone.

The main reson that the military was on the cutting edge back in the 1940s with integration and dragging its feet now is simple. To integrate the troops one needed only to prove that black solders were of equal talent and patriotism a simple task sonce they were.
The problem with gays in the armed forces is that unlike being black some mis-guided souls see being gay as a choice and they are afraid that they are gay themselves and would start to show it if they spent any time with "them". Although that is not true and in fact peposterous it is harder to prove than the ability of black solders.

[...] is reporting that the Secretary of Defense is looking at "selectively enforcing" the Don't Ask, Don't Tell [...]

"Change the law", "make it more humane". I guess that is admission of how it is 'inhuman' the treatment of our Gay Americans really is. Get rid of the law, you cowards. Perhaps Gay Americans should all quit serving our nation. I would never serve where treated as some freak. Perhaps Gay Americans should get a tax break, I think about one half goes to military, since this law dismisses them, it seems only fair. I am so sick of gay discrimination, hatred, ignorance,greedy politicians, and religious fanatics. Those are the basis for argument against gays.None of which should NOT take place in our GREAT country. I am ashamed.

Let them in!! Then the military can simply give them a pill for that kind of abnormal behavior disorder..

Selective enforcement!? But isn't that called discrimination!!??

it is very comforting to know that things are so good around the world, that Obozo and the defense department have time to look at the shiny boy policy................I guess North Korea, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan will just have to wait........................and how many days have those girls been locked uo in North Korea now??

Just get rid of the darn law! Selective enforcement will only prolong it by getting rid of (or at least pretending to get rid of) the most egregious situations and abuses. But it's the WHOLE policy that stinks, and needs to be overturned.

Man up, US military, and learn how to deal with the gay folks among us, or stop taking communal showers if it bothers you so much.

The law ... Don't Ask Don't Tell ... is rediculous from the get go

Elimination of this Draconian homophobia is the only course that should be taken

I'm embarrassed to live in a world where people have such fears of other people

Grow Up America ...

obama has cave in to every left wing group,,, this is just another one ,, ,, i hear the drip ... drip... drip... of americans greatness being wash away... very , very , very sad day for america.....

A friend and I were sexually harassed by a gay sailor while serving in the Gulf. It started with "port of call" stories about his escapades (gross but harmless) then it advanced ,despite my objections, to graphic details, winks and checking us out! It ended with an inappropriate look at the urinal and my fist across his head. His butt was kicked out and rightfully so.

There have also been cases of gay Marines filming themselves making gay porno.

Both of these are damaging to the moral of the service members.

"Gates considering selective enforcement of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'" Talk about a discrimination lawsuit in the making, you can not make this selective. If someone told me that they selectively disqualified me, I'd make you pay

I voted for President Obama, and I helped his campaign get him elected. Now I am saddened and ashamed to see that despite his vows to rid the military of this stupid rule, he has done nothing. In fact, he is allowing great service men and women lose their place in our military due to his lack of action.

In order to fully understand the issue here you need to have had the military experience. In the military you live very close together with little or no privacy. Having served I can tell you openly gay service members will pose problems in their units.

Instead of all these thins, pres. Obama needs to concentrate on Health Care and Fixing it....ok....Government run health care is a must in nation, now....

I find this idea utterly offensive. Gates is basically saying, "As long as the soldiers themselves aren't honest about their sexuality, it's a-ok by me." Isn't honesty one of the most important qualities stressed at West Point? A policy such as this would be a slap in the face to any gay servicemen or women. It's fine if other people think you're gay as long as you don't admit it...

The USA has a policy ..in force now..don't ask don't tell.. sounds kinda like a childs game does it not?.. Anyhow the policy is child like compared with all other countries who have gays in the military.. Gays are in the military anyway.. all the time..What can we expect next. from the USA... government?.. watchdogs on the street of the USA asking who is gay.?. and baring them from making a living.. I don't buy the argument it hurts morale.. What are people in military doing thinking about anothers sex lives anyway?.... Childs games.. next will be hide and seek and ring around the rosie.. or something stupid..

Thanks Barack Obama for taking this situation head-on! (Not) Oh well, what do expect people who you voted for to do, change unfathomably unconstitutional laws that help the military actually retain valuable translators or people fluent in Arabic?Who's telling on whom? I'm telling on you mr president.

It is time to just end this biggoted rule!

If D.A.D.T is allowed to stay in place then we MUST, and repeat MUST ask every other man or woman in the services if:

They have sex
Who they have sex with
Are you having sexual thoughts
Do you touch members of the opposit sex
Do you attend meetings of the opposit sex?
Do you attend functions where you could possible be attracted to memebers of the opposit sex?

A more humane approach to apply what is now currently law.... I like the sound of that...humane. That word has been sorely lacking in our political vocabulary. Thank you Pres. Obama for all of your efforts on behalf of our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters.

Selective enforcement? Oh goodness, a half measure. Gates should be smart enopugh to know that this will be challenged in court and as a result the entire policy will probably be tossed. I suspect this is Obama's plan anyway since he just met with the Gay "leadership" (whatever that means) and promised them the world.

Unfortunately, Obama is yet again hamstrung by the right on this. Especially given that the Congress is the only one that can change this due to measures they instituted against Bill Clinton when he tried to end the ban against gays in the military.

Homosexuality needs to be added to the Bill of Rights in a protected status. Enough is enough.

This is ridiculous!! Either enforce it or repeal it!! Who do they think they are NASCAR?? Make up the rules as you go!! This administration has no definite opinion or stance on anything. You can't have it both ways!!

Unless you're ready to provide separate barracks, toilets, showers, etc. gays should not be allowed in the military. No one should have to tolerate such an awkward environment as currently exists in which the person standing next to you in the shower is potentially sexually attracted to you.
Is the American taxpayer ready to spring for four sets of facilities at each military installation? I doubt it. No more PC nonsense!!!!!

I guess I don't understand the question. How else is someone going to be "outed", except "by a third party"? As I stated, I served in the military, US Navy, 6 years. I've been there first hand. I believe gays have no place in the military, where we have large common showers, toilets with no wall, doors, or stalls, and people in tight living and berthing quarters. What about the rights of the "straight" majority? Do we need this is a "war zone", especially where one person's life may depend on the person next to them? Maybe if the elected officials who want to change these laws had actually served any time in the military themselves, they'd feel differently.

Please repeal this horrible policy of "Dont Ask, Dont Tell"

What an insult to our gay brothers & sisters that are currently serving in the military.

Many other countries including Britain have gays openly serving which our American soldiers work side by side with now.

Stop injecting crazy religous views into federal policy!

Im glad that the majority of the under 30 crowd supports equal rights for gays. We just need to wait fo all these ignorant old people to die off. This country will be a much better place then.

we have gay people serving elsewhere, fromthe pulpit to the lawmkers, wakeup

Ban it ALL TOGETHER as Obama PROMISED!!!

I thought the millitary stood for honor, integrity and honesty. Now having said this, being gay or lesbian does not make you any less of a soldier. If you come out, you are simply exercising the teachings of the military as I have laid out above. If you excercise these principles and are discharged for dereliction of duty, this makes the military highly hypocritical.
The millitary need not care about the sexual orientation of their military personnel and care more about making sure our troops are well trained on the battle field. Overall, Don't Ask, Don't Tell is an ancient policy that must be repealed. This rule weakens the military as it doesn't allow full honesty amongst its personnel. If military personnel cannot be honest with one another, this weakens their ability to band together and fight in a unified manner.

Soldiers who are disproportionately the subject of vengeance, blackmail and jiltation are the reason why the policy was enacted– they pose a threat to morale, discipline and unit cohesion. If there is no discretionary wiggle room in enforcement of the statute, either have Congress change it or enforce it as written. A decision to relax enforcement is one based solely on sexual orientation, and is as Constitutionally flawed as one which is racially based, as in the New Haven firefighters case.

Simply do away with it, why single out gay soldiers for what real reason, There are gay cops, gay doctors, and the list goes on and on. This silly argument that it will disrupt soldiers because somebody is gay is the same stupid argument about blacks in the military. If the person is doing their duty isn't that the standard.

"The issue that we face is that how do we begin to do preparations and simultaneously the administration move forward in terms of asking the Congress to change the law."
How about signing an executive order to temporarily stop all gay military personnel from being removed from the military?
What Gates is talking about right now has ZERO logic – "if someone is outed by a third party". Are you kidding me? I realize that the Obama administration is dealing with a lot right now, but good men and women are being removed from a miliary that needs their services. Get on it.

Besides, the military has expelled about 130,000 since Clinton started the policy. That's some serious cannon fodder. Gates, serious homophobe that he is, will come up with a plan to get those folks to the front lines.

We have men and women fighting in these wars – what difference does it make if they're GAY?
The military needs to stop discriminating against these men and women.

Plain and simple this will cause more confusion.

This is not enough.

Obama said he would end it. So let's end it.