Today, I am struck by a good news story.
As of 12:01 this morning, the policy of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is officially over.
Though some thought President Obama dilatory in honoring his campaign promise, in the end, he fulfilled that promise in a clever, lasting way. Rather than use his power as Commander-in-Chief to issue an executive order compelling all branches of the military to retain rather than fire gay LGBT personnel, (an order which could be rescinded in the future), he got it codified in Congress after securing the support of the Pentagon. Securing the blessing of Mike Mullen and Robert Gates was crucial in overcoming (mostly Republican) opposition in Congress. It was a strategy that required consensus building with the military establishment and a careful, lengthy review which showed that overwhelming majorities in the various services were not interested that one of there own is gay.
I am a bit uneasy about technology enabling people to document their private lives for public viewing, but this youtube video of an anonymous soldier in Germany taking advantage of his new freedom to be a gay man in uniform by informing his father about his sexual orientation was very moving. I recommend it, despite its voyeuristic aspect.
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