Death by a thousand cuts:
Read it and give a cheer
The policy is going to die ugly, horribly, and in many ways. It won't be pretty.
WASHINGTON – A Pentagon spokeswoman says recruiters have been told that they must accept gay applicants, following a federal court decision striking down the ban on gays serving openly in the military.
Spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said Tuesday that top-level guidance has been issued to recruiting commands informing them that the military's "don't ask, don't tell" rule has been suspended for now. Recruiters also have been told to inform potential recruits that the moratorium could be reversed at any point.
This is only a quick blurb, but it's VERY significant. The Military is going on the premise that DADT will be overturned, and the injunction will hold up after the appeal. Recruiters are instructed to tell potential recruits that the injunction/moratorium may be lifted at any time.
So what does that mean? It means that the Military will recruit a gay person IN GOOD FAITH and when or if there is a discharge under DADT, there is a whole complex legal mess. I know that the recruit will be doing so at his or her own risk, but this is just another small step to the erosion of the policy.
It's happening as I commented on before: What with lawsuits, the "study", the language in the Defense Bill, the whole policy will rot from within and collapse in on itself. It's not going to be pretty, and there will still be some casualties, but it looks like the end is near.
Of course, this could also mean they're desperate for troops for the pending war with Iran, but that's a whole different set of issues.
UPDATE Here's a tweet I just received:
wonkroom The Wonk Room
RT @ltdanchoi: I'm gonna try to enlist in the Marines today. Anyone else can meet me at NYC Times Sq now.
This should be interesting...
UPDATE NUMBER 2: Fron Lt Choi:
@ltdanchoi: In the recruiting station. Apparently I'm too old for the Marines! Just filled out the Army application.
It looks like he just may do it!!