The Repeal of DADT: Slower Death Than First Thought

Don't call hospice yet...the death of DADT is going to take more time than first eluded to yesterday.

Here's the skinny from nyt.com:

Under the deal, reached Monday night by Democratic leaders and approved by the White House, Congress would vote on repeal in the next few weeks through an amendment to the Pentagon budget bill. The amendment says that the repeal would take place only after the president, the defense secretary and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff certify that it is consistent with military standards. At a minimum, that would extend the current law until Dec. 1, when the Pentagon study is due.

Got it?

So the earliest this thing could die is by Dec. 1, 2010.

Maybe.

Depending on what Sec. Gates says.

And he is reluctant to cast it off.

Herein lies the wrinkle(s):

There are also several issues that need to be resolved during the study period regarding the implementation of the new policy, mostly involving benefits for same-sex partners of gay and lesbian service members. Because the Defense of Marriage Act does not allow federal spousal benefits for married same-sex couples, the military will have to work out ways to provide equivalent benefits to domestic partners.

These include issues of housing and foreign relocation, the ability to shop on a base and insurance benefits. At the moment, same-sex partners are often not even notified if a soldier dies or is wounded, and they need to be assured the military will honor their right to receive the memorial flag if their partner or spouse is killed in the service of this country. The study should deal with how to make the repeal happen, not whether to do so. While it is being prepared, the military must live up to its word that it has stopped drumming out openly gay and lesbian soldiers.

Repealing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law does not automatically ensure that gay men and lesbians can serve openly. It simply takes the situation back to when the military set the policy on its gay members, before Congress gave it the force of law in 1993. Once it has the power to do so, the Obama administration says it will end the previous policy that homosexuality was not compatible with military service.

I was aghast that same sex loved ones would not necessarily receive the flag at a funeral, or be notified about one's death on the battlefield.

Really?

But if I ask "Why would anyone get mixed up in something so crazy like this?" then I have to answer why I am part of a community that rejects me for simply being gay...right?

Crazy is as crazy does.

Repeal DADT ASAP...

Pace!

B