subject: It Is Finished - Obama Signs Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell [print this page] It Is Finished - Obama Signs Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell
It Is Finished - Obama Signs Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Today, December 22, will go down in history as the day on which the President of the United States ended the US military's policy of discrimination against lesbian, gay, and bisexual people who wish to serve their country by enlisting in the armed forces of this nation. Arguably, this event is equivalent to the time when President Harry S. Truman brought an end to racial segregation in our armed services.
In a speech accompanying the signing of the legislation ending Don't Ask, Don't Tell, the President, hailed the "courage and vision" of Defense Secretary Robert Gates and praised Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen, who advocated changing the 17-year-old policy.
On that subject, it is interesting to note that the Secretary of Defense, who orchestrated the end to the military's discriminatory policy, was originally appointed by former President Bush.
The President also said, "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."
You may see a video of the signing ceremony, and the speech the President gave, as well as a video explaining how the end of Don't Ask, Don't Tell will be implemented, byclicking onthe following links (Please note: You will see a brief commercial at the beginning of each video.)
Here are the links:
Video of the President Signing The Bill That Ends Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Video with Questions and Answers on Implementing An End To Don't Ask, Don't Tell
