Saturday, December 18, 2010

President Obama's statement on the repeal of DADT


Today, the Senate has taken an historic step toward ending a policy that undermines our national security while violating the very ideals that our brave men and women in uniform risk their lives to defend. By ending “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” no longer will our nation be denied the service of thousands of patriotic Americans forced to leave the military, despite years of exemplary performance, because they happen to be gay. And no longer will many thousands more be asked to live a lie in order to serve the country they love.
As Commander-in-Chief, I am also absolutely convinced that making this change will only underscore the professionalism of our troops as the best led and best trained fighting force the world has ever known. And I join the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as the overwhelming majority of service members asked by the Pentagon, in knowing that we can responsibly transition to a new policy while ensuring our military strength and readiness.
I want to thank Majority Leader Reid, Senators Lieberman and Collins and the countless others who have worked so hard to get this done. It is time to close this chapter in our history. It is time to recognize that sacrifice, valor and integrity are no more defined by sexual orientation than they are by race or gender, religion or creed. It is time to allow gay and lesbian Americans to serve their country openly. I urge the Senate to send this bill to my desk so that I can sign it into law.

source

3 comments:

NG said...

Obama what?

Who?

Where?

I guess you've noticed the Obama haters have fallen silent...

In the interest of accountability and transparency, even though I've proven that to be bullshit, too, I've had my moments of skepticism and concern too, so I'm happy that today my fears were proven unnecessary and needless.

Wonder Man said...

As you know, Nelson, I knew he would come through. It was hard at times, but I knew he would be there

kayman said...

I'm just grinning from ear-to-ear at the Obama detractors on the left. They will have to eat a big ass heap of crow come Christmas and swollen a big gulp of STFU now on this issue. He wasn't the cock-blocker of pro-LGBT rights legislation, it was always the lack of fortitude on the members in Congress.

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Viktor is a small town southern boy living in Los Angeles. You can find him on Twitter, writing about pop culture, politics, and comics. He’s the creator of the graphic novel StrangeLore and currently getting back into screenwriting.