I was not overly thrilled when President Obama announced during his State of the Union address that he would be working to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” this year. My apathy is not because I don’t favor a repeal, but rather I’ve grown so tired of the president’s broken promises and glorified lip-service.
As commander-in-chief of the military, President Obama could end the implementation of DADT with an executive order. It would take just seconds for him to sign the order. Instead, the president has decided to drag his feet and “work with military leaders and Congress” to repeal the policy. The Associated Press reported today that this repeal process could take years. Years!
Why in hell would it take years to repeal a half-baked policy that was implemented in mere weeks in 1993?
Queer people have waited long enough to serve openly in the United States military. It’s just plain unacceptable that any repeal process drag on for years.
Why won’t the president show leadership and end DADT now? He’s spineless. President Obama simply refuses to take any bold move based on principle, even when those bold moves would be popular; most Americans are now in favor of repealing DADT.
The time for smoke and mirrors has passed! The time for foot-dragging is over! Enough with the excuses! With a Democratic president, big Democratic majorities in the Congress and public support, there is simply no reason not to end DADT now. Not years from now. The president’s lack of leadership on this issue is yet another disappointment.
