This post was submitted by corey

This post is by TNG Associate Contributor Corey.

Word leaked today that former Sen. Sam Nunn (D-Georgia) will head Obama’s transition of the Department of Defense. Nunn – who some believe could play a prominent role in the new administration’s handling of military policy – was the architect of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy when he led the Senate Armed Services Committee in the ’90s.

There had actually been some speculation that Nunn could be selected as Obama’s vice presidential running mate, although his leadership on DADT, as well as numerous other conservative stances, seemed to rule him out. There were also reports that Nunn had fired gay members of his staff. Still, Obama’s granting him of this authority – his first action as president-elect in directing our nation’s military – is a very disappointing move.

Obama has said that he opposes DADT, which was implemented during the presidency of Bill Clinton, but has also shown his classic pragmatic moderation or inability to take an actual stance, depending on your point of view. He said during the primary that he would not make opposition to DADT a requirement for members of his Joint Chiefs of Staff, a sign that he may allow the military to continue to practice discrimination rather than get his own hands dirty.

To be fair to Nunn, he has said that “times change” and that the military may be ready to end this absurd policy. However, it is hard to backtrack on a clear promotion and enforcement of discrimination, especially when it happens in a sector of our own government. I’ve heard people refer to the military as the “ultimate equal opportunity employer,” which sounds like a load of bull even before you consider the thousands of gay Americans who face injustice and persecution in the armed services everyday. These Americans have Sam Nunn to thank.

If Obama was serious about ending Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, this would likely not be the first move he made on military matters. We will see in time whether or not he makes good on his promise to end this policy. I don’t particularly care for my own sake; in fact, I consider DADT my own insurance that I will never have to serve in the military. As a liberal, anti-war type guy, that’s good enough for me. But it hurts to know that fellow gay citizens who are trying to do something positive for their country have to face this kind of bullshit day in and day out doing the dangerous work that they do, and that our president-elect doesn’t seem too worried about promoting “change” in that policy.

---

First time here? See what we're all about... Get involved... Send us a tip!...

---