The American Debate: Obama needs just a bit of Truman's courage

[emad]

Ending the ban on openly gay solders will be far simpler than was racially integrating the military.

By Dick Polman
Inquirer National Political Columnist

When will Barack Obama tap his inner Truman and take the initiative to end the ignominious ban on gays serving openly in the military?

Actually, he needs to exhibit only a fraction of Harry Truman's political courage. When FDR's successor announced in 1948 that he intended to racially integrate the armed forces, Americans recoiled in horror. Gallup reported that only 13 percent of the people endorsed the notion of blacks and whites serving together. Yet Truman signed the executive order anyway; as he liked to say, "I wonder how far Moses would have gone if he'd taken a poll in Egypt."

Truman stood tall even though the wind was in his face; Obama, by taking the lead on ending the gay ban, would actually have the wind at his back. National resistance to open service has melted during the 15 years since the enactment of "don't ask, don't tell." Gallup now reports that 69 percent of Americans support gays and straights serving together without the caveat of the closet - a six-point hike since 2004, fueled by big gains among conservatives and weekly churchgoers.

We've reached a rough consensus on this issue for mostly practical reasons. With the military stretched by two land wars and the twilight struggle against terrorism, it seems a tad counterproductive to keep firing people who want to put their lives on the line for their country. More than 11,000 gays have been kicked out since 1994; taxpayers have spent well over $400 million to process the discharges. Hundreds have been Arab linguists. Dan Choi, an Iraq vet who is fluent in Arabic, received his firing notice last month after he came out on national TV.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/currents/20090614_The_American_Debate__Obama_needs_just_a_bit_of_Truman_s_courage.html




Time will tell if the Obama comparisons stands.
HARRY S TRUMAN had balls.

[timeforpeace]

1. Iran in revolt, North Korea threatening nuclear war.

He's got his hands full with these issues right now. Iran's teetering, opportunity knocks. Some statesmanship here, that truman would be proud of, and Obama's legacy will have a great beginning.

[madrchsod]

2. truman and lbj could bust balls....obama won`t

he has surrounded himself with guys that could give a shit less about the lower and middle class.

it`s the same old shit, they know what is best for us...


change we can believe in? nope.

[chicago legal pro]

3. Truman started the process but he didn't integrate the military.

The military ignored the executive order which was given in Jan., 1948. In July, 1948 Army Chief of Staff General Omar N. Bradley stated that desegregation will come to the Army only when it becomes a fact in the rest of American society. It was only during the Korean War when white units were decimated that black soldiers began to be integrated into the military.