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Sen. Scott Brown, a Republican from Massachusetts, just announced in a statement that he will support repeal of the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.
Brown says that he "accept[s] the findings of the report" issued by the Pentagon, which found that a majority of servicemembers believe that repeal would have a minimal effect on their units' abilities to serve.
“I pledged to keep an open mind about the present policy on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Having reviewed the Pentagon report, having spoken to active and retired military service members, and having discussed the matter privately with Defense Secretary Gates and others, I accept the findings of the report and support repeal based on the Secretary’s recommendations that repeal will be implemented only when the battle effectiveness of the forces is assured and proper preparations have been completed.”
Brown, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, noted in today's hearing on repeal that he hopes that the service chiefs of each military branch, who have expressed some reservations about repeal, are consulted before the Pentagon officially signs off on any legislation passed by Congress that affects the rule.
He also said earlier today that a repeal by the courts rather than by legislative action would be "exceedingly disruptive" to the force, an argument made by the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff yesterday.
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What has gotten into Senator Brown.... them Tea-publicans will not like this........ :)
So what can Brown do for YOU
conservative label falls pretty fast after the Election
as the Republican, Democrat vote with Obama again, way to go Scott, way to collect that pay check and please those whom you and the Tea Party Money stole teddy seat from, by tricking the Voters, you know that they have figured it out by now and if you even stand a chance of keeping that seat you better vote with the Democrats as often as you can,...
Never thought I would say this. I like One Republican on this planet. Brown seems more like the repubs of yesteryear when they once voted their conscience and did the morally right thing to do. Scott Brown is like a 25 year old time capsule. Sorry Tea-Huggers, you've just been waterboarded by sanity.
Right Marcusarilius: and you've been duped by promise of "change" . High unemployment, underfunded healthcare program, and huge corporate bailouts. Quite an accomplishment for a one term President. WAIT!! He's got two more years! After repeal of DADT he'll have another round of "change"!
Private Manning was the mole who released Wiki Leaks. He is gay. I don't give a flip what anyone does in their personal life. If they want gay marriage, so be it, thet them also enjoy the misery of divorce. The army is a different issue. Keep these two simultaneous stories in mind and weigh them carefully : a gay WikiLeaks mole & repeal of don't ask don't tell. I have heard these stories separately addressed by the media, but I haven't heard the first story linking the two. This is lunacy. The terrorists are laughing their tails off at our priorities.
I agree with Brown. Every combat squad needs more point men.
Why is this even being discussed in Congress? Truman showed that he could change the military by ordering the integration of the armed forces. That's right, ORDERING, so why hasn't Obama ORDERED that "Don't ask don't tell be discontinued? He only has asked the Justice department to fight the courts. Games, just games to have the people blinded and to blame the Republicans as not allowing the change. Well, if you read the bill, it's not just that clear to repeal the band as there is all that other BS written into the DOD budget. Like the DREAM Act which is just complete BS.
As far as McCain, he is doing just a fine job as he is not blocking Don't ask don't tell, but the Dream Act and to show that Obama has no intention of holding his side of the bargain he made before his election. Remember, the President is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, so that is how Clinton made the rule, so Obama can repeal without the DOD, courts or Congress. Simple as that.
Whatrut: If your statement about the President [Truman or Obama] having the authority to merely give an order and it's done then it's clear that Obama IS wanting congress or the courts to do his dirty work for him OR he never intended to follow through on this campaign promise. Typical.
One could not help but think he would do just that being from New England. Was stationed in Boston my first year in the service and I began to think almost every other person you met on the street was a homo. Nothing was any more disgusting than having them continually approaching you. Thank God we had a conservative outlook back then. Now my son and nephews are serving and they don't like the thought of having to share facilities with any one of them in uniform or sharing anything with them at all and have vowed to leave the military if this comes to be. This is just what we needed, our country to be represented by homosexuals, the true cream of America's youth. The shame of it all. Senator Brown, you should be ashamed of yourself.
B-Kelley: If you think this one is bad, just wait till a bill comes up that guarantees comprehensive meds for all HIV patients to prevent full blown aids [which only the rich can now afford]. Even though they know it can't possibly be funded they'll vote for it. Not much chance of passing it in the near future but it won't stop them from trying to get it to the floor.
How pathetic to leave the military because gays are there - they already are! My son and daughter serve and I am proud to say that they serve this country, and they respect others rights. That is how they were raised and I expect them to treat others as they wish to be treated. You look at Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan - they don't let gays in the army, or society. BUT UK, Australia, France, Italy, Israel, and many others do. I would rather be in the likes of our allie countries rather than the harsh backwards countries we are fighting.
The political enviroment has become hilarious, Republicans are screaming no even to their own ideas and policies while Democrats are running around in circles wondering what they can do next, But at least the Democrats are attempting to help the economy and employment prospects of the country while it seems the only thing Republicans can agree on is that the rich need to be richer if things are ever going to get better.
It was the right thing to do, though he certainly did it with an eye on his reelection bid which, despite gestures like this, is likely to fail. I just love the hysterical tone of the Obama haters on this issue. Many them I suspect, are self-loathing, closet gays who hide behind "family values" issues as a smokescreen (remember Senator Larry Craig anyone?)
Wacky? You left out one name, Phil. Yes, you left out your own name. Well, Phil Wacky, you called it and now you can live with the epithet. Wacky.
DADT is unconstitutional as well as very discriminatory.
For those of you who have never spent months away from your family friends and loved ones in stressful conditions you simply dont understand what goes on. In the military while deployed people talk about their loved ones, their plans for when they get home, etc to help each other stay sane. I know this because i spent 6 years in the military and this just happens. Talking about our lives to others is part of what makes us social creatures. Imagine this, you go to work where everyone around you talks about their kids, vacations, spouses etc .... but your employer pulls you aside and tells you that you will be fired if you are heard discussing anything of a personal nature in your work place or possibly outside your workplace. Would you put up with that.... i think not!
Now currently under DADT a heterosexual military member can freely talk about their loved ones, their plans when they get home, etc and all someone can do is tell him to shut up. A gay service member cannot do this without the threat of being dishonorably discharged from the military. See the difference? DADT will be fair when a heterosexual member of the military can be discharged for talking about their girlfriend/boyfriend wife/husband! See how ridiculous this is?
Regardless of Browns ulterior motive he seems to be doing what he was elected to do, represent his constituents first party second. As for motives..... human beings do not do things without motives. Even the act of charity has a motive.
from the beginning when Brown started his GOP agenda it was apparent that he would only get the remaining term of Kennedy,His hate mongering GOP stance and voting was the nail in his coffin. The State is all Democrat and when the Kennedy's saw what this pickup driver [make believe democrat] voted at the will of Turtle faced MCConnell, and the hate mongering,PRO- War mongering GOP that kill other peoples kids,disgraced the honorable Kennedy clan,have come to the conclusion that Brown must go. His trying to come off now as a moderate won't work. Where was he on the bill to continue allowance to laid off people? Let him see what it means to be down and out with a family for a while.
Rather strange, isn't it....
1.) We regularly have some sort of life-threatening terrorist crisis occurring nearly on a daily basis....
2.) An earth-shattering financial crisis is on the verge of melt-down on both a personal and national level...
3.) Our borders are constantly being over-run by illegals as our government intentionally turns their back and demands that these illegals be given equal American rights and priviledges which are to be entirely paid for by honest, hard-working Americans.... disguising the real political attempt to buy future votes to retain political power in the upcoming elections...(as the liberal news media volunteers as "salesman" in their daily propaganda obcession to convince America to freely accept these illegals.)
4.) Honest Americans search endlessly each day to find gainful employment to try to provide for their families... as the unemployed rate continues to climb to a staggering 9.8% (factually, a very conservative estimate)... especially after we were all told by our President that we had to accept his urgent need to demand more "stimulous" money from us... or otherwise, he wouldn't be able to keep the unemployment from rising above 8%.....and once again, many fell for this propaganda, also....
What is quite apparent....The news media and our national government have intentionally created this true hatred and division in our beloved country.... and it continues, each and every day.
So now.... considering ALL the serious, life-altering, life-threatening, problems and crisis that need to be addressed and corrected RIGHT NOW !..... what issue does MSNBC demand be placed toward the top of the"FIX-IT-NOW" list ???
....deciding whether or not gays should be allowed to join the military.
They are really deciding whether gays can serve openly in the military. Gays are already serving they just have to lie about who they are to stay in. Frankly I don't know why a gay man or woman would want to serve this country when there are so many of their fellow Americans who openly hate them for just being gay. However if a person is willing to serve & meets the physical & intellectual requirements of the military then let them serve. Senator Brown is no moderate since he has voted consistently in lockstep with his fellow Repubs on obstructing everything. He says he will vote to repeal but he is also voting to obstruct anything being voted on in the Senate unless the rich get their tax cuts renewed. So we shall see if this is anything more then lip service. He knows his state tends to be more liberal on social issues so he has to say he will vote to repeal in hopes of getting re-elected but whether he really feels that way who knows but if his & his party's obstruction prevents a vote at all then he is off the hook so to speak. He knows when his party takes control of the House they will not allow any vote on repealing DADT.
It would have a minimal effect on most units, however we shouldn't allow homosexuals to openly serve in combat roles immediately. That is something that should be implemented gradually over time.
Since you are unwilling to use your real name BOSS person please call me Mr. Garma. My friends call me James & don't call me Shirley. As to your question no you are actually saying that I said something different & I have no need to repeat my opinion because I speak on behalf of just me. The government is certainly big enough to deal with more then one issue at a time & if it cannot multi-task then shame on it. As to your frequent use of the word admit neither I nor gays in the military have to admit to anything because my opinion & their sexuality are not crimes to be confessed to. There are a lot of important issues facing our nation at this time & if you think the rights of gay American citizens to serve their country openly if they want to without having to lie & they are qualified & capable to do so is not one of them it is certainly your right to hold that opinion but I do disagree & have no problem saying so.