New Questions for Obama on DADT

With the federal court decision this past week striking down DADT as unconstitutional, Barack Obama finds himself on the hot seat where he has to put up or shut on on DADT. He has claimed that he opposes the policy and supports its repeal, yet has bent over backwards kissing the bigoted asses of senior military officers who seem to believe the year is 1910 rather than 2010 when it comes to accepting modern knowledge about sexual orientation and homosexuality. Arnold Schwarzenegger has set the example that Obama ought to follow if he has meant any of the statements made to LGBT Americans: simply refuse to appeal the ruling and let DADT die. With polls showing some 70% of the public supporting the repeal of DADT (even 56% of Republicans support repeal), it ought to be a no brainer. Unless, of course, Obama has been lying all along. It's time Obama stand up and state that he concurs with the Court's ruling and direct his minions in the Justice Department to let the appeal period lapse. He has the court ruling for cover so it's time to put up or shut up. Personally, I am NOT holding my breath that Obama will do the right thing. Here are highlights from a New York Times piece looking at Obama's pickle of a situation:
*
In many ways, the ruling on Thursday by a federal judge that found the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy toward gay and bisexual members of the military unconstitutional is good news for the Obama administration.
*
But things are rarely as straightforward as they seem in Washington, and in other ways the decision presents the White House and Congressional Democrats with a problem. To begin with, the administration, compelled to defend existing laws, may well appeal the ruling by Judge Virginia A. Phillips of Federal District Court in California declaring the existing policy unconstitutional.
*
Further, while groups that support a ban are now ratcheting up pressure on members of the Senate to vote on a measure ending the policy, there is a slim chance that the bill will make it to the floor before Congress heads home next month to campaign for the midterm elections.
*
The government has 60 days to file any appeal of the ruling, which puts the administration in an awkward position among the liberal base voters who have been pressing for repeal of the policy.
*
[A]t least one Democrat, Senator Jim Webb of Virginia, has expressed concerns about such a repeal, and it is not clear whether Democrats have the necessary 60 votes to move the legislation.