New York Times: Repeal DADT Now; Shame on Republicans

As I have noted many times, the only real justification for DADT has always been religious based prejudice and a desire on the part of conservatives - especial those who allege to be Christian - to punish LGBT Americans for their failure to abide by Christianist morality. Never mind that the very U.S. Constitution the military is sworn to uphold claims to grant religious freedom to all citizens. Of course, under DADT that alleged guarantee has been a lie - like much of what America pretends to stand for but doesn't afford to LGBT citizens. In its main editorial today, the New York Times states that it's time for DADT to be remanded to the trash heap of history and it also slams GOP members of the Senate who who seek to ignore the Pentagon report and cling to religious discrimination. Would that John McSenile, Lindsey Graham, a/k/a the Palmetto Queen, and others in the GOP who prostitute themselves to the Christian Right would take heed. the Here are some highlights:
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After nine months of study and regular leaks, the Pentagon’s report on repealing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law was hardly a surprise. Most soldiers long ago came to terms with the thorough and frank report’s conclusion that allowing gay men and lesbians to serve openly poses little risk.
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Nonetheless, it was bracing to hear Defense Secretary Robert Gates call directly on the Senate to vote immediately to repeal the ban. If Congress dawdles yet again on eliminating this longstanding injustice — as several Republican leaders vowed to do on Tuesday — Mr. Gates believes an impatient court system will step in and order an end to the discrimination. That may turn out to be the only way for the military to move forward on this vital issue, but it would stand as history’s rebuke to lawmakers who stubbornly refuse to acknowledge the nation’s social change and the military’s role in it.
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Some of the resistance to repeal is based on religious or moral objections to homosexuality, and the report made it clear that the Pentagon is not trying to change anyone’s deep-seated beliefs. It is simply making it plain that regardless of those beliefs, all members of the military must co-exist and respect each other.
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It is shameful that Republican lawmakers are not as respectful of the values enunciated on Tuesday by Mr. Gates and Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who firmly supported eliminating what Mr. Gates called a “legally and morally fraught process.” Those lawmakers are already gearing up to repudiate the report and stymie repeal. Representative Howard McKeon of California, the ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, questioned the accuracy of the survey and said he would do everything he could to defeat repeal.