Reid: Suspend DADT Discharges Now

[jefferson_dem]

Reid: Suspend DADT Discharges Now
Evan McMorris-Santoro | December 18, 2010, 1:26PM

With a legislative repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell all but assured in the Senate today, Majority Leader Harry Reid is calling on the Pentagon to immediately end the policy of discharging openly gay servicemembers.

At a press conference following the successful cloture vote on DADT repeal that will lead to a final vote on repeal this afternoon, Reid offered a simple "yes" when a reporter asked if he thinks the Pentagon should end all DADT-related investigations and discharges right away.

Earlier in the press conference, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis -- who leads a group of lawyers who defend soldiers caught up by DADT -- explained the necessity of ending the activities surrounding DADT before the policy itself comes to a formal end. That process will likely take weeks if not months -- even after President Obama signs the bill passed by the Senate today (and passed by the House Tuesday.)

"I need to put my lawyer's hat on for a moment -- especially for our clients who are listening" Sarvis said. "Repeal is not yet final."

A statement from the SLDN posted to the group's website today put the message even more starkly.

"Rapidly changing events regarding the legal status of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) may be confusing for service members and recruits," the statement reads. "The bottom line is DADT is still in effect and it is NOT safe to come out."

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http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/12/reid-suspend-dadt-discharges-now.php

[SidDithers]

1. So, even SLDN is looking for an orderly transition...nt

sid

[TheWraith]

2. De facto, they already have.

With DADT on deathwatch, there haven't been any discharges in weeks. A fact that's not likely to change with the repeal vote, and the restriction by the Obama administration of who can approve a discharge. There may be an "official" transition period, but I would say that the policy is dead. We've probably seen the last discharge.

[Pirate Smile]

3. That was what I was going to say. They effectively already have.

[Tx4obama]

4. There haven't been any discharges under DADT since at least October 21st

CNN article regarding no discharges since Oct 21: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/US/11/30/dadt.discharges/index.html?eref=edition_us
Also see - Gates narrowed who can OK discharges under 'don't ask, don't tell': http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4583640

[polmaven]

5. Looks like there will now be

one less thing we can whine about the president not having done.....Oy!