Yeterday, the Palm Center released a report: “A Self-Inflicted Wound: How and Why Gays Give the White House a Free Pass on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The report challenges the position of the White House that DADT can only be ended through the legislative process. That's not true:
“Some members of our community have been circulating misleading arguments which ended up as talking points for the President of the United States,” Belkin said. “It is not our job to provide Washington with reasons to continue to discriminate.”Ben Smith had a post on this report yesterday with quotes and background from SLDN and HRC.
I don't understand why the President won't use his presidential authority to curtail or end DADT. He has the power. The Center for American Progress provided a road map on this for Obama in its report, "Ending 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell': Practical Steps to Repeal the Ban on Openly Gay Men and Women in the U.S. Military."
Yes, a legislative solution is the best solution. We support the legislation introduced by Rep. Patrick Murphy. But, that's not happening for awhile. There isn't even a Senate bill. I'm not hearing anything about a pro-active White House legislative strategy. Not a thing. Meanwhile, lives are being ruined every day.
I'll have more on Don't Ask, Don't Tell a little later today...
