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Top officer: Gay ban should be lifted

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The military’s top uniformed officer declared today that gays should be allowed to serve openly in uniform, arguing that it is “the right thing to do.”

Adm. Mike Mullen’s statement was the strongest yet from the uniformed military on this volatile issue, although he stressed that he was “speaking for myself and myself only.” He told the Senate Armed Services Committee today he is deeply troubled by a policy that forces people to “lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens.”

Mullen said he knows many will disagree about abandoning the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy and said there are practical obstacles to lifting the 1993 ban. But he said he thinks the military can handle it. Mullen is chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and chief military adviser to President Barack Obama.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates told the panel he is tapping his chief legal adviser and a four-star Army general to lead a landmark study on how the military would lift its ban on openly gay service members.

Pentagon counsel Jeh Johnson and Gen. Carter Ham, who leads Army forces in Europe, will conduct the yearlong assessment.

Ham is a former enlisted infantryman who rose through the ranks to eventually command troops in northern Iraq in 2004 and hold senior positions within the Joint Staff. Recently, he helped conduct an investigation into the shootings by a soldier at the Fort Hood Army base in Texas.

As the Pentagon’s top legal counsel, Johnson has played an integral role into the effort to try to close the military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Gates’ announcement marked a measured step toward President Barack Obama’s goal of eliminating the military’s policy against gays, which is based on a 1993 law.

Ham is a former enlisted infantryman who rose to command troops in northern Iraq. Johnson, the Pentagon’s general counsel, played an integral role in the effort to close the military prison in Guantanamo Bay.

(Feb. 2, 2010)

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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Hanford Sentinel

toleranttaxpayer wrote on Feb 2, 2010 12:32 PM:

" Can't wait to hear the discussion board on this issue. Should being Gay keep you from serving your country ? How does state, county, city public service differ from federal service ? "

Scott Tucker wrote on Feb 2, 2010 12:48 PM:

" Adm. Mike Mullen is correct. It IS the right thing to do. "

Mrs.D wrote on Feb 2, 2010 3:25 PM:

" It's the right thing to do especially when reenlistment is down and finding the right recruits is tough. Who cares if the gay recruits love differently and dance too much! You can't be too picky during wartime. "

peterock03 wrote on Feb 2, 2010 6:56 PM:

" ITS THE WRONG THING TO DO! JUST SO WRONG! THE LORD FROWNS ON HOMOSEXUALISM! TOP OFFICER SHOULD NREALLY THINK LONG AND HARD ABOUT WHAT HE SAYS OR DOES BECAUSE THE WRATH AND THE PLAGUES OF THE LORD WILL FALL UPON THIS GUY! "

Angie wrote on Feb 3, 2010 12:31 PM:

" To Peterock03- Wow. you sure know how to draw people to God. The wrath of God is not something that will make people listen- It's the love of God that will get peoples attention. Yes, homosexuality is not acceptable in God's eyes but lying, stealing, racism, judgementalism, etc. isn't either. "

kathleen wrote on Feb 3, 2010 12:53 PM:

" folks didn't want blacks to fight in the civil war but the north was losing...Lincoln directed the war department to allow blacks to enlist and well, the rest is history; the north would have lost but for the black troops. one of the most famous and bravest was the Massachusetts 54th Regiment. They maeched to the song "John Brown's Body" which we now know as the "Battle Hymn of the Republic." (As he died to make men holy let us die to set them free, his truth is marching on). Just a little bit of Black History to commemorate Black History Month...Booyah! "

HereWeGo wrote on Feb 3, 2010 2:15 PM:

" Right, Peter. We should allow our government to make rules based on what God wants, because nobody has ever tried that before. "

baristamclane wrote on Feb 3, 2010 2:23 PM:

" Gays in the military, women on submarines. The times they are changing...

And it's about time! "

Alihandero wrote on Feb 3, 2010 4:41 PM:

" How can a drill sergeant bark orders for prancing with a straight face?

We would have to come up with totally new marching cadences...wonder if Bill Murray is available?

(sorry I just couldn't resist) "

Mrs.D wrote on Feb 3, 2010 5:27 PM:

" RE:peterock03, Well, you're not the judge of ones' soul, gay or straight. This is unfortunately a time of war with no clear path of peace in the foreseeablefuture. Hate the sin, but not the sinner, all right? Besides, there's someone standing right next to you who is judging you and not liking you. Would you want to know that? "

ToldYouSo wrote on Feb 3, 2010 6:03 PM:

" Newsflash, there are already gays in the military. They are just supposed to keep quiet about their sexual preference and do their damn job. I guess Obama has spare money to waste on a stupid 1 year study which after one year will likely tell him that there are already gays in the military and they should just keep quiet about their sexual preference and do their damn job. "

SJT wrote on Feb 3, 2010 7:09 PM:

" Add Colin Powell to the list of those in favor of allowing those who WANT to serve, serve, and not have to loathe themselves while doing so. Look for right wing zealots to USE ALL CAPS in protest. "

Paul wrote on Feb 3, 2010 9:12 PM:

" peterock03 wrote on Feb 2, 2010 6:56 PM:
" ITS THE WRONG THING TO DO! JUST SO WRONG! THE LORD FROWNS ON HOMOSEXUALISM! TOP OFFICER SHOULD NREALLY THINK LONG AND HARD ABOUT WHAT HE SAYS OR DOES BECAUSE THE WRATH AND THE PLAGUES OF THE LORD WILL FALL UPON THIS GUY! "

Ok Ted Haggard,

AHHH... yes rocks. This is the best example why "some" here agree with you.

bUSH always said we needed to LISTEN to our GENERALS on the ground.

NOW all of a sudden the same republicans who said listen to our generals on the ground are saying

don't listen to our generals on the ground...

tys... this is exactly your kind of reasoning and point. Is it not???

For those of you who have NEVER SERVED in the ARMED FORCES OF THE US...

there have always BEEN and will always BE gays in the military.

Of course "some" will now blame President Obama for that as well. "

toleranttaxpayer wrote on Feb 4, 2010 7:28 AM:

" Serving your country should be every American's duty regardless of religion, race, gender, sexual orientation. Why should gays be excluded from one of the greatest honors a person can bestow upon theirself and the great country we live in ? "

Cammy wrote on Feb 4, 2010 12:23 PM:

" The "Dont Ask, Dont Tell" policy needs to be repealed. It's a joke! There are so many men and women out there here in the U.S. defending our country, & guess what! That does not have anything to do with why they joined the military. They joined so they could help defend our country and keep us all safe and out of harms way from people who do wish to harm us Americans. Nothing more, nothing less. Yet, when one gets a dishonorable discharge for being gay or lesbian, this makes it ok? I think not!

This policy shows & proves that the people who have beef with gays & lesbians are in fact being discrimitive due to their religious beliefs. Let me ask you something. Just how many different religions are out there? Do you all respect their religious beliefs? Really think about it.
For all the LGBTQ who are serving our country, i am so proud of you! One day people will see that we are no different than anyone else & put an end to this discriminating act.
As for myself, I will continue to make a possitive change so people will see the truth "

Alan G wrote on Feb 4, 2010 1:24 PM:

" It should be repealed. And I think peterock03 is one of those wacky born-agains and apparantly very passionate based on his ALL-CAPS POST. "

not so fast wrote on Feb 4, 2010 5:11 PM:

" The policy should be changed, and people should be allowed to serve openly. There will be problems...I know since I was in the Navy for MANY years...but it is time, and I believe the climate is right for it now.

The change, however, will bring multiple problems. THAT is what the study is for ToldYouSO...NOT just to waste money to figure out people are living a lie right now, that is understood already. The study is to figure out HOW best to implement this change in policy. Changing this will be very difficult while fighting 2 wars, but it can be done, and needs to be done.

As to the recruitment issues, this will not solve them. In fact it will likely lead to some folks not wanting to serve as it will require them to serve with openly gay folks. The way to solve the recruitment problem is politically unfeasible, but should be done nonetheless. Reinstitute the draft. "

Paul wrote on Feb 4, 2010 9:24 PM:

" Alihandero wrote on Feb 3, 2010 4:41 PM:
" How can a drill sergeant bark orders for prancing with a straight face?

Yes ali... what did you say about racist or inferred bigotry."

I can remember my Drill Sgt. BARKING at me, "If you don't do what I tell you, I'm going to bring death on you." I BELIEVED HIM!!

I don't know what or if you were in the OLD military but the LAST MISTAKE any recruit would have made is NOT HAVE A STRAIGHT FACE after is Drill Sgt. BARKED ANY order. You 'member.

So keep thinking that the times haven't changed, that a person of color CANNOT BECOME President in America or that gays shouldn't serve in the military.

You made the statement once that "in a firefight you don't care who is president."

I also KNEW that I trusted the guy next to me with my life.

...or have you forgotten that ali...

(and I am NOT sorry.) "

ToldYouSo wrote on Feb 4, 2010 9:31 PM:

" Wakup!!! Bill Clinton started that policy and the rest of the Dems and Libs have kept it intact for over a deade now. Hope you are not all blaming Republicans for something a Dem President started. I know.. blame Bush... I won't even ask whey if Obama is soooooo ashamed about this violation of their rights that he will let it continue for another year at least. What a spineless coward. "

As a tax payer wrote on Feb 5, 2010 8:43 AM:

" I'm just wondering where they'll be housed at boot camp? You can't put gay men or gay women with straight men or women. Funny things other than war training would take place I'm sure. They'll have to build additional facilities to seperate them. "

kathleen wrote on Feb 5, 2010 9:36 AM:

" IT'S NOT WHO YOU LOVE, BUT, DO YOU LOVE...DO YOU? "

not so fast wrote on Feb 5, 2010 3:13 PM:

" As a Tax Payer - The facilities issue is one that will have to be figured out. It might be similar to the introduction of women into the combat portions of the fleet where there had to be separate quarters, but that isn't a given.

ToldYouSo - you conveniently forget that after this policy was put in place the republicans owned the house and senate from 1994 until 2008. Further that there was a sitting republican President from 2001 until 2009. So your contention that this is all the democrats fault (as is your normal post) doesn't hold water.

This policy was put in place by a Democrat, but stayed in place under republicans. So rethink your hate. "

OGee wrote on Feb 5, 2010 8:01 PM:

" have you ever watched *M*A*S*H* 4077? Now imagine a thousand 'Klingers' running amuck through the barracks in their pink negligee's. So when are straight males going to be allowed to sleep in the same bunks as females?

This will make the greatest military into the most ridiculed military, but if thats what they want....

And with the gay 'hate crimes bills' there will be no end to litigation that will bog the military down. "

formerhanfordguy wrote on Feb 6, 2010 6:28 AM:

" Always a hoot seeing the over the top, ridiculous anti gay responses in the Sentinel! Anyways, when I lived in Hanford I met some LNAS often times very handsome pilots who were gay... even a Blue Angel pilot! These guys were soldiers first, and were totally professional, but they lived in total fear of being found out. The Blue Angel pilot I knew had too lie about his "girlfriend". Gays and lesbians have always served honorably in our military... wasn't one of greatest warriors of the ancient world Alexander The Great, gay? "

Skip wrote on Feb 6, 2010 5:32 PM:

" Gays should be allowed to serve in the military, They should conduct themselves just like they do in the world and they will be treated the same way they are in the world. "

ToldYouSo wrote on Feb 6, 2010 10:09 PM:

" I'm not surprised Not So Fast wants to shift blame to Republicans (I did predict this), but here is a real news shock, most Republicans don't want gays in the military so WHY would a Republican controlled House, Senate, or Presidency change it??? The don't ask don't tell was signed into law by a Democrat President. That is a fact. I know blame Bush and Republicans for all Democrat mistakes. So Not So Fast, why isn't Obama moving FASTER to change this with his Democrat controlled House, Senate, and Presidency. Are you going to blame Bush some more? It only took Obama a year to even notice the policy was there. I guess we could say he is moving not so fast. "

james kleinhammer jr wrote on Feb 7, 2010 7:34 AM:

" Homosexuals shouldnt be allowed to serve openly! Those who choose to be identified be their sexual preference shouldnt be given special preferences. Homos will make a mockery of themselves and their unit. "

kitty on the keyboard wrote on Feb 7, 2010 9:26 PM:

" I'm glad to see that all the good people of Hanford aren't a bunch of homophobic nuts. "

Scott Tucker wrote on Feb 8, 2010 11:05 AM:

" Someone here wrote the following to describe President Obama: "What a spineless coward."

Yeah, it takes real gumption to spout off mistruths and criticize the President on a daily basis while conveniently hiding behind a pseudonym.

Who is the real coward here?

At least when I criticize the President, I sign my comments with my real name. "

liberty4me wrote on Feb 8, 2010 3:32 PM:

" " Homosexuals shouldnt be allowed to serve openly! Those who choose to be identified be their sexual preference shouldnt be given special preferences. Homos will make a mockery of themselves and their unit. "

>>>James K. why do you quote yourself? Or have you simply forgotten to cite your source? "

not so fast wrote on Feb 8, 2010 7:06 PM:

" Well TYS...your amnesia and misunderstanding are showing in your latest post.

The change the Republicans could have made while in charge to was to DISBAND this policy and go back to the way it was before the policy was instituted. If, as you say, the Republicans are so adamantly averse to homosexuality and them serving in the armed forces, then they really SHOULD have changed to policy to ban them. I mean you always take great pleasure in pointing to their absolute correctness, and moral superiority. Wouldn't disbanding the policy have been the moral thing to do in that case?

Oh, and Obama had changing the policy into serving openly as part of his campaign. So he didn't "take a year to even notice the policy was there" as you claim.

Take your FAUX News glasses off once in awhile. "

toleranttaxpayer wrote on Feb 9, 2010 8:08 AM:

" So this is an interesting issue. What does the military do about housing soliders gay, straight, male, female, religios differences. I think the answer is NOTHING. Housing different genders, sexual preferences, cultural differences during training/combat should not be a concern. For example, sexual activity during those times is not tolerated regardless of preference. As far as dorm housing during off duty hours. People should choose their preference of living arrangements. Some that serve stay on base, others in apartments, some may choose same sex, others choose opposite sex. That should be a personal prefernce. What do you think ? "

ToldYouSo wrote on Feb 9, 2010 5:56 PM:

" NSF you are never happy, first you are upset Republicans didn't let gays openly serve now you are upset they didn't reinstate a full ban. With libs the Republicans are to blame for everything even Democrat approved anti-gay policies I guess. Face facts, Obama has not removed the Clinton signed policy during his 1st year and he is only researching it for another year. So if libs similar to you and Obama are so morally perfect then why wait? Don't you control the House, Senate, and Presidency... well then who really is just all talk now? I'm going to laugh if all the gays vote Republican in the next election, at least we don't just lie to them to get their votes. "

Alihandero wrote on Feb 12, 2010 1:14 AM:

" Scott Tucker wrote on Feb 8, 2010 11:05 AM:
" Someone here wrote the following to describe President Obama: "What a spineless coward."

Yeah, it takes real gumption to spout off mistruths and criticize the President on a daily basis while conveniently hiding behind a pseudonym.

Who is the real coward here?

At least when I criticize the President, I sign my comments with my real name."
--------------------

A 'scholar' here mistakes someone's 'o p i n i o n' as a 'mistruth' when, in fact expressing a constitutionally-protected opinion is not indeed a falsehood to that person and other American residents who believe similarly.

And about using one's 'real name' on the web...

Personally, I don't have an inflated view of myself that emblazons my name for the online world to see...and neither does about 99% of the bloggers on the internet.

When I forgo my family, friends, and country and withdraw to another continent, I promise to consider having the "gumption" to use my real name then.

And only if I move to a neutral country that never will fight.

One can bank of that. "

formerhanfordguy wrote on Feb 14, 2010 5:23 PM:

" Former Vice President Dick Cheney, a hawk has just called for ending "don't don't tell" so now the religious wack jobs are the only ones calling on gays too be kicked out. "

ToldYouSo wrote on Feb 16, 2010 6:01 PM:

" All right, I'm convinced, let's keep the lesbians in the military. "

opinion x wrote on Feb 18, 2010 10:26 PM:

" Yes! I believe that it is their right to serve REGARDLESS of their sexual orientation, I'm glad to see that some people have an open mind to these types of issues. "

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