Executive Director, Aubrey Sarvis, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network writes over at Huffington Post:
Some have asked why this even matters now that we have this new court ruling. The answer is simple. Though enforcement has been stopped for the time being, DADT is still the law of the land as long as certification and the subsequent 60-day waiting period required in the law have not taken place. If the government appeals this order and is successful, service members could be investigated and discharged once again. At SLDN, we represent clients right now, who are under investigation and could be discharged if this decision were to be reversed. Careers are at stake; livelihoods are on the line.Certifying in days, not weeks, would benefit this administration in the eyes of those who question their determination to end this ridiculous policy once and for all. There are two gay soldiers at Fort Carson, Colorado who could have most definitely benefited if ceritification had been done in a more timely manner. Certify now!
Meanwhile, opponents on Capitol Hill -- as late as yesterday -- were crafting and putting forth schemes to ambush repeal. New amendments were proposed to the House Defense Appropriations bill for 2012 that would bar federal funding for marriages or civil unions that do not comply with the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA); prohibit the use of military installations and military personnel for such ceremonies; prohibit federal funding from being used in contravention of DOMA; and even ban federal funding for DADT repeal training for service members in combat. Supporting these efforts behind the scenes are organizations like the Center for Military Readiness, which claims to be concerned only with ensuring a strong and ready military for our nation, but in fact, is simply using our service members to justify their continued existence and the promotion of a religious, social agenda.
So, how can we stop all this nonsense and confusion? Again, the answer is clear. It's time for President Obama, Secretary Leon Panetta, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, Admiral Mike Mullen, to certify the repeal of DADT -- and in days, not weeks. Only then will we end confusion for all service members, gay and straight, and close the books on this discriminatory chapter in American history.
