Obama Has No Plans To End 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Pentagon spokesperson Geoff Morrell confirms President Barack Obama has no plans to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

"I do not believe there are any plans under way in this building for some expected, but not articulated, anticipation that don’t ask-don’t tell will be repealed."

Morrell told the media the Obama administration has not asked the Pentagon to scrap "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The President has discussed the policy with Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen.

"They're aware of where the president wants to go on this issue, but I don't think that there is any sense of any immediate developments in the offing on efforts to repeal don't ask-don't tell," Morrell said.

General David H. Petraeus ducked a question on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" during a public Q & A session.

The question was for the well-known "surge architect's" opinion on whether service personnel should be allowed to be openly gay, questioning whether the current "don’t ask, don’t tell” policy negatively affects unit cohesion.

“First of all, I’ve spent most of my career stepping around minefields, not into them,” he said, to general laughter. “We have an awful lot on our plate right now (with wars in Iraq and Afghanistan). I’m not sure we want to add something else to our plate right now.”

Integration of the military was achieved by Harry Truman signing Executive Order 9981.

It is hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin. This policy shall be put into effect as rapidly as possible, having due regard to the time required to effectuate any necessary changes without impairing efficiency or morale.

Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara issued Defense Directive 5120.36 The directive ended racial discrimation in the military illegal. Congress was not responsible for ending military racial discrimation. Obama has two legal precedents. The Commander-in-Chief has the power to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The issue is the President's lack of political courage. Personally, I don't think Obama cares about gay rights.

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