‘If Not Now, When?’ Asks Gates on Gays in Military

[cal04]

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2010/12/02/if-not-now-when-asks-gates-on-gays-in-military/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wsj%2Fwashwire%2Ffeed+%28WSJ.com%3A+Washington+Wire%29

Some say wartime is the wrong time to talk about lifting the ban on gays in the military. Not Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

The Pentagon chief, facing sharp Republican opposition on the issue, suggested to the Senate Armed Services Committee that the U.S. could be waiting a long time if it chose to leave the current policy in place so long as troops were fighting overseas.

“If not now, when? When we’re out of Afghanistan?” Mr. Gates asked. “I don’t see the world getting to be a safer, easier place to live in, where our troops are necessarily under less stress.”

(snip)
The big hearing of the week will be Friday, when the military service chiefs appear. Several have expressed reservations about lifting the ban. All wanted to wait on changing the law until a Pentagon report surveying service members’ views, which was released Tuesday.

[gratuitous]

1. When?

When it no longer gives John McCain an ooshy feeling.

[RKP5637]

2. So, I guess an army of gays against the US from another country would run over

the US military pretty fast if "the gays" are feared that much.

[BrklynLiberal]

3. Rachel did a great job yesterday making the analogy between DADT and racial integrating the military

The military was integrated even tho opposition was incredible -80% opposed-...and yet..there were no apocalyptic disasters as a result.

Waiting serves no purpose whatsoever.

[MNBrewer]

4. Except a political purpose.

[BrklynLiberal]

5. Yep. Rile up the base..the ignorant, prejudiced, hateful base.

[MNBrewer]

6. I'm not even sure it's THAT useful

seems to be one more thumb in the eye to the Democrats by the Republicans. As soon as they take over, they'll act on it on their own terms.

[MNBrewer]

7. It just hit me.

I think he's positioning himself to run for President again. By gawd he's gonna try it AGAIN!

[Swamp Rat]

8. "NEVER!!!!" Replies McPain