The Obama administration’s plans for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell are pretty clear at this point. They will call on Congress to repeal the law…in some way…at some point in time. And not a day sooner.
Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he is working on an assessment of what — if any — impact overturning “don’t ask, don’t tell” policies would mean for the military and its culture. In the meantime, the Pentagon plans to follow the existing rules, which say gays and lesbians can serve in the military if they do not disclose their sexuality or engage in homosexual behavior.
“The president has made his strategic intent very clear, that it’s his intent at some point in time to ask Congress to change this law,” Mullen said. “I think it’s important to also know that this is the law, this isn’t a policy. And for the rules to change, a law has to be changed.”
Got that?
Meanwhile, the Associated Press breathlessly headlines their article “Mullen: Military to comply if gay ban law changes”. Good to know they’re not considering mutiny.
