The duck is lame. So too this strategy?

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11/15/2010

by Jeremy Hooper

Uhm:

GAY TROOPS OK CUTTING DADT REPEAL FROM DEFENSE BILL – Two gay troops’ groups will announce today that they’d support breaking off DADT repeal if doing so would help the defense authorization act pass – but they’ll keep pushing for repeal in the lame-duck Congress, Morning Defense has learned. The statement from OutServe and Knights Out is just one prong in a complex offensive planned for lawmakers’ return to Washington this week, organizers said.
Gay troops OK defense bill without repeal [Politico]

Certainly understand the desire to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). But is this really smart strategy? Does it not give the opposition an unnecessary in?

Or is this perhaps a worrisome sign from folks who know more than us?

More to come.

***

*UPDATE: Press release, via The Palm Center:

NOVEMBER 15, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GAY TROOPS SUPPORT NEEDED DEFENSE SPENDING EVEN IF "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL" IS CUT

Santa Barbara, Calif. (November 15, 2010) - Today, OutServe and Knights Out issued a statement responding to current efforts in Congress to filibuster the FY2011 National Defense Authorization Act because of its inclusion of conditional repeal for the 'don't ask, don't tell' law and policy. The statement reads:

"There is nothing more important than loyalty to those with whom we serve. This means ensuring that no one issue interferes with funding the courageous and selfless work our fellow service members are doing around the world. Therefore, on behalf of the more than 1,000 active duty gay and lesbian service members and 500 gay and lesbian veterans we represent, we respectfully urge Congress to pass the FY 2011 National Defense Authorization Act to fund the aircraft, weapons, combat vehicles, ammunition and promised pay-raises for all troops, whether or not the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" is included."

"To be clear, we will continue to fight for our integrity as gay and lesbian service members and we hope that legislative action in Congress can be taken in 2010 to lift the ban. With the support of President Obama, Chairman Mullen, Secretary Gates and the reported seventy-percent of service members surveyed, a new day of openly gay service is at hand if Congress acts during this lame duck session. We are proud to serve in the United States Armed Forces today and tomorrow."

OutServe is a network of approximately 1,000 active-duty soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, and members of the Coast Guard. JD Smith is a pseudonym.

Knights Out is an organization of West Point alumni, staff and faculty who are united in supporting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender soldiers to openly serve their country. The group has 203 members and graduate supporters and 462 allies.

The Palm Center is a think tank at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Since 1998, the Center has been a leader in commissioning and disseminating research in the areas of gender, sexuality, and the military.