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Pace defends "don’t ask, don’t tell"

March 12th, 2007 by Double Tap

I have mixed feeling on this subject, but apparently the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs doesn’t.

Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Monday that he supports the Pentagon’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” ban on gays serving in the military because homosexual acts “are immoral,” akin to a member of the armed forces conducting an adulterous affair with the spouse of another service member.

Responding to a question about a Clinton-era policy that is coming under renewed scrutiny amid fears of future U.S. troop shortages, Pace said the Pentagon should not “condone” immoral behavior by allowing gay soldiers to serve openly. He said his views were based on his personal “upbringing,” in which he was taught that certain types of conduct are immoral.

Last month, Rep. Martin Meehan (D-Mass.) revived the debate in Congress by introducing legislation to reverse the military’s ban on openly serving homosexuals. Meehan’s proposal has 106 sponsors, including six Republicans. Meehan and gay rights organizations have expressed hope that the policy can be reversed now that Democrats control the House and Senate.

The issue is also starting to percolate in the 2008 presidential campaign. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), a longtime foe of the policy her husband signed into law, has stated that it should repealed. Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), says a repeal would be ill-advised.

Retired Army Gen. John Shalikashvili, a former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, who once supported “don’t ask, don’t tell,” recently reversed his position and wrote in a newspaper column that it was time to allow gays to serve. Shalikashvili cited projected shortages in the military for his change of heart on the issue.

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