(Fox) Obama said he was “overwhelmed” before putting his name to the law rescinding the 1993 policy known as “don’t ask, don’t tell.” He said the decision would ultimately strengthen national security, downplaying the controversy that for years kept the policy stuck in neutral and predicting future generations would look back at the reversal and wonder what the fuss was about.
“No longer will our country be denied the
service of thousands of patriotic Americans who were forced to leave
the military … because they happen to be gay. No longer will tens of thousands of Americans in uniform
be asked to live a lie or look over their shoulder in order to serve
the country that they love,” Obama said. The jubilant crowd shouted “yes
we can,” Obama’s campaign slogan, as he walked to the podium.
“Our people sacrificed
a lot for their country, including their lives,” the president said.
“None of them should have to sacrifice their integrity as well.”
Obama stressed Wednesday that ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was a priority. He said it came up in the first meeting he ever held as president
with Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff — both of whom endorsed the repeal.
Other military service chiefs, particularly the Marines commandant, had spoken out recently against a repeal at this stage, warning that it could harm unit cohesion,
in turn putting troops in greater danger. They expressed concern that
based on the results of a military survey, some members of the Armed
Forces were still uncomfortable with the idea of serving alongside
openly gay troops.
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