(Col.) Wilkerson says DADT ‘should be repealed’ immediately.

[kpete]

Source: Think Progress

Wilkerson says DADT ‘should be repealed’ immediately. »

Col. Lawrence Wilkerson (ret.), former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell, appeared on the XM/Sirius radio show “Stand Up! With Pete Dominick” today and stated forcefully that the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy barring gay men and women from serving openly in the military “should be repealed”:

DOMINICK: You’re a 31 year veteran of the military, Army, like I’ve said, you served in Vietnam. What’s your opinion of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy currently in place? Should it be repealed or should it remain in place?

WILKERSON: Let me say just right off the bat, it should be repealed. Gays should be able to serve – gays and lesbians should be able to serve openly in the American armed forces just like anyone else does. <...>

DOMINICK: It should be repealed immediately.

WILKERSON: Yep.

Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/2009/06/29/wilkerson-dadt-repealed/

[bluestateguy]

1. Can we please have an active duty officer say this?

I'm so sick of these retired officers coming out and calling for the policy's repeal, when it doesn't do anybody any good.

[Piewhacket]

3. No.

An active duty military person should keep their mouth shut.

First, I think it might be illegal for them to speak out, except
in very proscribed circumstances, and even there they should stfu
unless directly ordered (or required by position).

Second, even if legal, which I can doubt it would be, it would be
improper and likely violate the code of military conduct and subject
them to discipline.

Third, these rules are COMPLETELY CORRECT, WE WANT THEM TO STFU, WE DO
NOT WANT THE MILITARY TO BECOME A POLITICAL PROPAGANDA MACHINE, WE WANT
CITIZENS TO SERVE HONORABLY WITHOUT BEING PRESSURED BY A POLITICAL MACHINE.
IN SHORT, THE RULE IS MEANT TO PROTECT BOTH THE NATION AND THE SERVICE MEN
AND WOMEN WHO SERVE.

Thank you for your very excellent question about why we hear only from
'retired' officers. Peace.

[24601]

4. I believe that the ethos of active duty officers is to refrain from

entering the political world. The mindset is to shut up and obey the law while you are serving on active duty. The exception is when testifying before a congressional committee and a member asks for a purely personal opinion - and that is relatively rare. The default is for the PAO (Public Affairs officer)to make all public remarks. Retirement marks the point where your remarks are your own and are not mistaken as speaking for the Army/Marines/Navy/Air Force.

[Robbien]

2. Obama doesn't want to give GOPers ammo

so he does nothing. So shut up military, you know nothing about it.

Not giving GOPers ammo equates to doing everything GOPers want.

Who elected Obama? GOPers?

[greyghost]

6. Obama has surrounded himself with too many of Clinton's people.

They will continue to play politics while the American people continue to lose on ALL fronts.

[Vidar]

5. Good for Wilkerson.

[Fearless]

7. Damn straight.... umm, well you know what I mean.

:kick:

[Lugnut]

8. K&R n/t

[medeak]

9. he also spoke of the murders committed to detainees

it was a terrific show

[No Elephants]

10. Powell is the one who helped Clinton and Morris come up with DADT. And helped Bush come up with

the Iraqi invasion. A very intelligent man, who seems to have sold his soul at some point.

Whether it's Powell's sidekick or not, whether Wilkerson is retired or not, every little bit helps, especially coming from high ranking military or former military. So, good on the Colonel.