Well, Well, Well! So it comes out now that former president Clinton's "Don't Ask-Don't Tell" military policy for gay members of the United States military was both flawed and inconsiderate; never mind just being down-right incorrect judgement and poor government policy. Well, today, Harry Reid, Senator from Nevada and currently serving as U.S. Senate Majority Leader said in a letter he wrote to both President Obama and Defense Secretary Gates, "At a time when we are fighting two wars, I do not believe we can afford to discharge any qualified individual who is willing to serve our country?"
This begs to question-What is the real reason "Don't Ask..." is coming under fire now? If I allowed myself to be skeptical for a minute, I would surmise that they are afraid of falling short of military personnel in our hot spots around the world. With Iran rearing its head, Pakistan functioning like a sobering junkie, and the balance of power still up for grabs following the recent Afghan election...digging out "Don't Ask..." maybe just the card to play.
Reid could also just be playing "Mr. Opportunistic" for a policy ultimately passed by the last Democratic president. Let's be honest, that's truly not what Bill Cllinton wanted to pass, but being in the first year of his presidency at the time, he had bigger eggs to fry and he couldn't afford to use all his political capital on a minor voting block, at that time.
With Equality back on the table and yet another, rather historical democratic president on the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, the Capital Rotunda is poised to eat from the same plate yet again. As if the brewing Healthcare debate was not enough, President Obama is likely to do his part to assist Senator Reid by shuffling the deck, doling out a new hand and playing without the poker face.
Bill Clinton will finally get his victory, the GLBT Community will finally get its victory for equality on the front lines and the Dems will rally its voting base with one swoop of Obama's pen.
Regardless of the agenda, to reserve current troop numbers by removing "Don't Ask..." is the wrong choice. Do it because its the right thing to do Mr. Reid. Why haven't we looked at this before, Mr. Reid. How many careers have been lost, how many lives have been turned upside down and how many former servicemen live with that blemmish on their service records because of this invalid form of governmental policy?
Let's not stumble into righteousness Mr. Reid. Let's walk into justification, fairness and equality PROUDLY!
