The End of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"by: William TuckerWed Sep 21, 2011 at 06:00:00 AM EDT |
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"Don't ask, don't tell," the 1993 legislation that allowed gays to serve in the military only if they kept their sexual orientation private, is no the longer the law of the land. Tuesday at midnight, DADT was officially repealed and the military can no longer prevent gays from serving openly in its ranks.
President Obama, who signed the Repeal Act into law last December, celebrated the policy's end as a "giant step." For more than two centuries, we have worked to extend America's promise to all our citizens. Our armed forces have been both a mirror and a catalyst of that progress, and our troops, including gays and lesbians, have given their lives to defend the freedoms and liberties that we cherish as Americans. Today, every American can be proud that we have taken another great step toward keeping our military the finest in the world and toward fulfilling our nation's founding ideals. In New Hampshire, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen also voiced strong support: "We need our best and bravest Americans serving in our military," she said. "The repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell strengthens our country's security, enhances our military readiness, and most importantly, it is the right thing to do." Granite State Republicans were less enthusiastic. Gubernatorial candidate Ovide Lamontagne had expressed approval of DADT, saying it "has worked." When contacted by the Portsmouth Herald for their reaction, Sen. Kelly Ayotte and Congressman Frank Guinta declined comment. |