From School Bullying to Republican Debates

A heart-breaking story from suburban Buffalo, one of my old hometowns:

Jamey Rodemeyer's death has unleashed a torrent of raw emotion.

It comes from major figures in the world of entertainment, media and politics, who never heard of the 14-year-old Williamsville North freshman, and relatives, teachers and students who saw him every day. His suicide this week, following what he called more than a year of "constant" bullying related to the fact that he identified as bisexual, seems to touch a new nerve every day.

That continued at a Williamsville North homecoming event Thursday night. Amherst Police Chief John Askey said a high school parent called to report malicious words being hurled at Jamey's older sister, who is a student at the high school and attended the outdoor function.

In the original complaint, a parent told police she understood that some students made harassing statements "suggesting that they're glad that Jamey's dead."

The story has focused international attention on Williamsville, and the life of Jamey Rodemeyer. England. Canada. India. And meanwhile here in the US, it is acceptable for the 2012-Republican-Presidential-nominee-wannabees to sit back and listen while their fans boo gay troops, in public:



None of the candidates said anything on stage during the debate, this week.

You can sign a petition here, calling for the candidates to explain themselves.

My heart goes out to all children who for whatever reasons see their life experiences marginalized by the most powerful forces in our society. On television, and splashed all over the headlines of newspapers. I can hardly imagine how a young, gay teenager must feel after being told by these Republican candidates that despite the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” they still shouldn’t be able to serve and defend their country. Oh, and by the way – was former Senator Rick Santorum suggesting everyone in the military pledge celibacy? I am confused.

Connections between what happened in Western New York this week and the Republican debate, anyone?

Eighteen Years and Counting

I know I am a day late on this, but after 18 years, what’s one more day?



No. Lying is not an honorable thing.  Love and respect go hand-hand-hand with service to country.

Celebrating the End of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

So, how will you be marking the end of "don't ask, don't tell?"

After almost 18 years, the Pentagon on Tuesday plans to formally repeal the ban on gays in uniform, known as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” permitting troops for the first time to publicly reveal that they’re gay without fear of official retribution. Enlistees who tell military recruiters, or troops discharged under the ban who are eager to reenlist, will be eligible to join up if they are qualified. And the Defense Department says it will have zero tolerance for anti-gay behavior, as it does for religious, racial and gender discrimination.

Tomorrow, my thoughts will be with the gay troops deployed all around the world, and their concerns for partners left behind with little support.

Next up: a redefinition of the term "military family."

Friday News Dump

At least it's good news, Friday afternoon news dump, or not. One of the greatest, recent civil rights advancements, actually, brought to us via the Friday-afternoon-news-dump.

WASHINGTON – The Department of Defense will certify Friday that the military is ready for the repeal of the controversial "don't ask, don't tell" law, setting the stage for openly gay troops to begin serving in the military in late September, U.S. officials confirmed.

The certification comes after months of training for military personnel to prepare them for the presence of openly gay uniformed colleagues for the first time in history, and starts the 60-day waiting period before the law is completely removed.

Under rules outlined by Congress in December, the president, defense secretary and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were required to certify that the services are ready for the dramatic personnel change before the law could be repealed.

The policy will officially end 60 days after President Obama signs the certification. There will be no formal marking of the end of Don't Ask, Don't Tell until the 60-day waiting period is over. I wonder if that will also take place late, on a Friday afternoon...

In The News: Today’s Gay Rights Edition

The Democratic Party in Utah has elected it’s first openly gay chair:

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's newly elected Democratic Party chairman says the party's "big tent" welcomes members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"I want to speak directly to the LDS people in our state," Jim Dabakis said Saturday after being nominated for state party chairman. "I want you LDS people to participate in our party. We want your spirit, we want your contributions and we want to earn your votes. I will do whatever I can as chair to see that our big tent is comfortable to LDS people because it's the right thing to do."

Dabakis was elected as the new party chairman by delegates during the Utah Democratic Party's 2011 Organizing Convention attended by more than 1,000 party faithful. He replaces retiring three-term party chairman Wayne Holland.

Dabakis, one of the co-founders of Equality Utah and The Utah Pride Center, is the first openly gay leader of a political party in Utah.

How great. For all my “upsets” with the Democratic Party, very happy Jim Dabakis could rise to the highest rank of leadership in Utah. And yes, the party is a big enough tent to welcome members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

More history, this time on the Floor of the Senate. The emphasis is mine:

The remarkable thing about what happened on the Senate floor Monday night was that it was utterly unremarkable.

The matter under consideration – the nomination of the first openly gay man to serve on the federal bench – would at one time have been a flashpoint in the culture wars. But Paul Oetken was confirmed without a word of objection on the Senate floor and with hardly a mention in the commentariat.

Even some of the chamber’s most ardent social conservatives – Tom Coburn, John Cornyn, Jeff Sessions, Jon Kyl – cast votes for Oetken. When the lopsided vote tally of 80-13 was read out, there was no cheer or reaction of any kind. Senators continued their conversations as if nothing unusual had happened.

Not sure it was utterly unremarkable.  Perhaps simply, unremarkable.

President Obama, evolving?

President Obama is calling for the repeal of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which bans same-sex married couples from receiving the same federal benefits available to opposite-sex married couples.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said Tuesday that Mr. Obama was “proud to support the [repeal effort], which would take the DOMA off the books once and for all.”

The announcement came a day before the Senate Judiciary Committee is set to conduct hearings examining the Respect for Marriage Act, a legislative vehicle designed to overturn DOMA.

I sure hope so. So much at stake here for. Federal benefits. Military benefits. Immigration rights.

And as John Aravosis at AMERICAblog gay reminds us, President Obama has 8 days left in his "weeks, not months" promise on DADT certification. Three weeks ago, the President said certification will come in “weeks, not months."  Eight days left.

Anyone taking any bets?

Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Today's 9th Circuit Edition

Please tell me Don't Ask, Don't Tell is finally dead. History.  So tired of waiting.

A federal law banning openly gay people from serving in the military should no longer be enforced, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday, citing the Obama administration's call for an end to "a history of discrimination" against homosexuals.

The "don't ask, don't tell" policy signed into law by President Clinton in 1993 was ruled unconstitutional in September by U.S. District Judge Virginia Phillips in Riverside. A month later, Phillips issued a "worldwide injunction" against further discharges of gay soldiers and sailors, but the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in November suspended her order while the case was being appealed.

Congress, in the meantime, repealed "don't ask, don't tell" but left the policy in force until the president, the Defense secretary and the Joint Chiefs of Staff certify that enough training and preparation for integrating gays has been accomplished to avoid any damage to military readiness. The training is expected to be completed by mid-summer.

On Wednesday, a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit said the "balance of hardships," which had previously justified a stay of Phillips' order, had changed.

A nice explanation of what has gone down, from Joe Sudbay at AMERICAblog Gay:

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the stay of the District Court's injunction against enforcing DADT. When DADT was found unconstitutional in the Log Cabin case last October, the District Court judge issued an injunction against its enforcement. And, Judge Phillips refused to grant a stay pending appeal. Despite numerous requests (including 21 U.S. Senators) that the Department of Justice not appeal this decision, DOJ did. DOJ also immediately went to the Ninth Circuit asking for a stay pending appeal, which was granted. Today, the Ninth Circuit lifted that stay, meaning DADT can't be enforced anywhere in the world.

In part, the 9th Circuit's turnaround was due to recent statements by the Justice Department and the White House calling for "heightened scrutiny" of laws that discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. This includes the Defense of Marriage Act, which deprives same-sex married couples of federal benefits.

Lessons learned:  Starting to do the right thing, leads to, well -- more doing of the right thing.  A vicious circle of achieving justice, so-to-say.

Following the Rules on Gay Marriage

Big news on marriage equity, from the military no less. In states where same-sex marriage is legal, base facilities can indeed be used for marriage ceremonies. From the advisory memo:

Regarding the use of base facilities for same-sex marriages, legal counsel has concluded that generally speaking, base facility use is sexual orientation neutral. If the base is located in a state where same-sex marriage is legal, then base facilities may normally be used to celebrate the marriage.

This is what happens when rule-driven institutions like the military, follow the rules – and make it very public. They can become viewed as some of the most outwardly progressive institutions in the country.

Can't We Just Stop Asking and Stop Telling, Already?

Enough of this ridiculousness, already:

A lesbian cadet who resigned from West Point last year has been rejected for readmission to the academy even as the military moves toward ending its "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Officials at the U.S. Military Academy say they reached the only decision they could, because the repeal of the policy is not in effect yet.

Katherine Miller left halfway through her stint at the academy in August, saying she couldn't lie about her sexuality. The 21-year-old from Findlay, Ohio, became a prominent face in the debate over gays serving openly.

She re-applied to West Point around the time Congress voted to repeal the law in December. The repeal will go into effect 60 days after officials certify that it won't hurt troops' fighting ability.

Miller transferred to Yale University.

Some of you who have followed the never-ending saga of the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell might remember the story of Katherine Miller.  She is a former cadet at the U.S. Military Academy who resigned from West Point a week before she would have been required to commit to finish her final two years and serve five years in the military.  Rachel Maddow did a wonderful interview with her last year, as part of her one-woman attempt to put a human face on this despicable piece of public policy.



Incredibly talented, smart and articulate.  Committed first and foremost, to country, service and duty.

When are we finally going to stop undermining our country's military might in the name of fear and prejudice?  All on a technicality, I might add.

The (Continuing) Saga of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

From The Hill:

A member of the House Armed Services Committee plans to introduce legislation next week designed to put the brakes on repeal of the military’s ban on openly gay troops.

The measure by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) would add the four military service chiefs to the list of those who must sign off on repealing the policy before it can be officially scrapped.

Hunter, an Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran, is concerned that the bill passed in December repealing the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy “excluded the service chiefs from the certification process,” said one congressional aide.

A delay tactic? The right pandering to the even-more-right? Making good on the promise to derail President Obama's agenda? All of the above?

End-of-the-Year Thank You!

I am not a big fan of end-of-the-year retrospectives, but since I cannot go to sleep without watching MSNBC’s The Rachel Maddow Show, I was treated to a fairly good 2010 review.

Rachel Maddow and her staff are justifiably very proud of all the reporting they did this year to assist in bringing the real-life stories of the men and women personally touched by the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy into our living rooms. You can watch the portion of last night’s show dedicated to these fine folks who have sacrificed so much of themselves for their country here.

Lt. Margaret Witt

I was particularly touched by (again) seeing the interview with Lt. Margaret Witt, a 17 year Air Force Reserve officer who after being discharged under DADT sued the Air Force. As a nurse, she saved countless lives. In September 2010, U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Leighton – a George W. Bush appointee – ruled that she should be reinstated to her unit. This ruling gave hope to so many others who had either already been discharged under the policy, or feared for their careers.

What was in part SO remarkable about the ruling, were the comments made from the bench by Judge Leighton. Hugely empowering words that gave voice to the personal battles endured by those directly affected by this discriminatory policy. And their friends, families and loved ones who suffered along with them.

After ruling that retired Major Margaret Witt, a lesbian Air Force Reserve officer, should be reinstated to her unit, U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Leighton on Friday made the following comments from the bench:

Major Witt, you and I are unlikely to see one another again, in this context, anyway. I'd like to make a couple of points before you go:

1) I hope you will request reinstatement with the Air Force Reserves and the 446th [her unit]. You will provide the best evidence that open service of gays and lesbians will have no adverse effect on cohesion, morale or readiness in this or perhaps any Air Force or military unit.

2) You have been and continue to be a central figure in a long-term, highly charged civil-rights movement. That role places extraordinary stresses on you, I know. Today, you have won a victory in that struggle, the depth and duration of which will be determined by other judicial officers and, hopefully soon, the political branches of government. You said something in the trial that resonated with me. You said the best thing to come out of all this turmoil is the reaction of your parents when you told them of your sexual orientation: their love and support for you.

Not withstanding the victory you obtained here today, for yourself and for others, I would submit to you that the best thing to come out of all this tumult is still that love and support you have received from your family. You are truly blessed as a family and I am sure they will see you through whatever obstacles and difficulties you may encounter along the road ahead.

Sometimes it's not just about politics, or the law, or simply what is right. Sometimes it is in large part about people's every day lives. And how wonderful. Lt. Witt is expected to re-enlist in 2011. She can return to going about the business of saving lives.  She can return to her own life.

Thank you, Lt. Margaret Witt!

Lt. Dan Choi Gets His Ring Back!

One of the most touching moments of the week. Lt. Dan Choi gets his West Point ring back from Senate Majority leader Harry Reid. And, he re-enlists, too!

Good for him, good for the military and good for the country!

In Thier Own Words: The DADT Edition

The President signed the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" yesterday. Finally, ALL members of the United States military are on their way to being able to serve their country with complete honesty and integrity, which is of course the only way the world's finest military should operate. You can read the full statement from the White House here.

So many folks, individuals and organizations worked so hard for so many years to make this happen. So today, a tribute to them. In their own words.

1) First, perhaps a tribute in OUR words. None of this could have happened without the troops. Consider sending a thank you to the active service members of the military and veterans who were on the right side of history here -- gay and straight alike. You can send your messages here.

2) And speaking of the troops. Too many brave men and women, in maintaining the military Code of Honor demanding truthfulness and honesty sacrificed their careers to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Here's to Lt. Dan Choi, a West Point graduate and Iraq veteran fluent in Arabic, who was notified that the Army had begun discharge proceedings against him after he announced that he was gay on The Rachel Maddow Show. Lt. Choi served for a decade under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. He became the face of the despicable policy when he publicly gave Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid his West Point ring to hold until repeal. This week, Sen. Reid returned the ring, and Lt. Choi announced his plans to re-enlist. In Lt. Choi's own words:

No revolution towards justice ever went backwards. To all the supporters of equality and Don't Ask Don't Tell's death, I am so grateful. The road has not been easy. We have learned many important lessons about social justice, movements, supporting each other, and speaking out against discrimination.

The mission is not finished; it has only just begun. The most critical mission is supporting and encouraging closeted soldiers to finally access their full integrity, dignity, and humanity. This mission is in keeping with the first lessons learned at West Point or basic training. As the legislation signals a new chapter in our journey, we can be sure that our work has only begun. I call on all soldiers to gain the courage to come out. First come out to yourselves, then tell your trusted friends and family. Tell everyone who you trust and who deserves nothing less than truth. Stop hating yourselves as your country has signaled for so long. Furthermore, your coming out is not for you. It is for all those who come after. Military service is not about rank, pension or paycheck. Climbing the ladder is shameful without true purity of service and I applaud those who give up the superficial artifacts of career in favor of complete integrity and justice.

3) No thank you would be complete without a tribute to John Aravosis and his team at AMERICAblog.com. Not only years of blogging on this issue, but top-notch, behind-the-scenes maneuvering from the best, inside the Beltway team. In John's own words, writing only as a veteran of political warfare can:

The signing ceremony for the DADT legislation took place this morning at the Interior Department. They had invited a lot of people, so the only building with a sufficiently big room was over at interior. Joe attended (I was invited, but had already left for Chicago for Christmas). Joe did some photo coverage here. Here is the President's speech at the event.

A lot of the media is talking about how today DADT was repealed. It wasn't. Today we gave the President, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and the Secretary of Defense the ability to get rid of DADT if they so choose at some point in the future. So DADT won't be repealed until the President, along with DOD, decides to do just that. The legislation preserves that option, an option that wouldn't have existed legislatively once the Republicans take over the House. So this is a good thing. It's not, however, a repeal - yet.

4) No one, and I mean NO ONE put a human face on the blatant discriminatory nature of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" like Rachel Maddow, on her MSNBC television show. She interviewed brave men and women directly affected by the policy, letting them position their own personal stories in light of recent history. This week, she highlighted four members of military in an extraordinary piece. You can watch here.

And from her blog, with a reminder of just how much bad public policy can cost in real dollars:

The Senate has voted to end the military ban on openly gay troops, putting the final Congressional approval on an end to the disastrous Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy. Since Congress passed the compromise bill 17 years ago, DADT has cost the nation an estimated $1.3 billion dollars and ended the careers of 13,000 service members who wanted to help their nation.

5) And then there is Service Members United, a non-partisan and non-profit organization whose primary goal is to engage in education and advocacy on issues affecting gay and lesbian troops and veterans “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” included. In the words of the agency's Executive Director, Alexander Nicholson:

“This vote represents an historic step forward for this country, and it will very likely be a life-changing moment for gay and lesbian troops,” said Alexander Nicholson, Executive Director of Servicemembers United and a former multi-lingual Army interrogator who was discharged under DADT. “While we still have a long road ahead, including the certification process and a yet-to-be-determined implementation period, those who defend our freedom while living in fear for their careers will finally breathe a sigh of relief tonight, and those who have fallen victim to this policy in years past will finally begin to see true closure and redemption on the horizon.”

6) Service Members Legal Defense Network has since 1993 provided free, confidential legal services to all those impacted by DADT and related discrimination. They have been working on this issue all throughout the 17 years the policy has been implemented.

In signing this bill today, President Obama delivered on a defining civil rights measure for our country and for gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members who have been silenced for far too long. Clearly, this is President Obama’s Lyndon Johnson moment in history. A measure of dignity has been restored to thousands of service members on active duty, and to over a million gay veterans who served in silence. This historic moment is about those service members and their service,” said Aubrey Sarvis, Army veteran and executive director for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.

7) This repeal never would have happened without the hard work of many on Capitol Hill. From Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, to Rep. Patrick Murphy, himself a veteran. (BTW, we will miss you Patrick). On the Senate side, Majority Leader Harry Reid's timing was impeccable, although at times his commitment to seeing this through during the lame duck session was questioned. Here's to Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn who had the foresight to introduce a stand alone bill to the Senate:

“America became an even greater and stronger country today as President Obama signed the repeal of the discriminatory policy that prohibited gay and lesbian patriots from openly serving in the military. This victory for justice and equality has many authors, but I would particularly like to applaud the leadership of President Obama, Senator Reid, Chairman Levin and Senator Collins, as well as our House counterparts, Speaker Pelosi, Steny Hoyer, and Patrick Murphy. We are deeply indebted to the heroes of our armed services who sacrifice every day so we can enjoy liberty. And American liberty became more complete today when President Obama signed this legislation into law.”

Nothing else to say except, "thank you." Gracias.

The Day That Will Be: The Saturday Edition

A big, day today.

First, the Senate will take up the cloture vote on the DREAM Act. What message will the Republicans send to Latinos – our fastest growing voter demographic? If the message is “we don’t give a damn about your children," they can forget about ever making ANY political inroads into the Spanish-speaking, and Latino immigrant communities of our country. You can watch live coverage in Spanish on both Telemundo and Univision.

Then on to the stand-alone bill that would repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Kudos to Service Members United for three straight days of storming Capitol Hill with a highly organized lobbying blitz. What a great organization. I am in awe of their work.

I will be switching between Univision and CSPAN2.

Only A Matter of Time

The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal now has 61 Senate pledges. Filibuster-proof, unbelievably enough.

We have always known it was only a matter of time until the reality of the repeal -- either via legislation, or through the courts.  But now it really is only a matter of time – or perhaps not enough of it. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid must push this legislation through the lame-duck session or it’s dead. Hard to believe it would be revived in the future Republican-led House, and difficult to imagine a filibuster-proof Senate majority in 2011.

There's no time like the present. Or don't put off for tomorrow, what you can do today. Or time is of the essence.

Or something like that.

20 Days and Counting

Twenty more days to the end of the lame-duck session, even though the chance Congress will remain in session until January 3rd is zero.

START. The DREAM Act. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” What, if anything will get done?

Most interesting is today’s news that the House Democrats will introduce a stand-alone bill this week to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” The language will be identical to the one Sen. Joe Lieberman and Sen. Susan Collins introduced last week. If they both pass, no need for reconciliation and on to the President’s desk. Just the way President Obama would like the repeal to happen.

From Greg Sargent over at The Plum Line:

To be sure, the Senate Dem leadership could still decide there isn't time to do DADT, what with the need to ratify New START and keep the government funded. And even if the Senate does vote on a stand-alone repeal bill, it's unclear whether it will pass. GOP moderates who say they back repeal refused to vote for it last time, suggesting they may do so again. On the other hand, now that the tax deal standoff has been resolved, those moderates may feel freer to vote Yes on DADT repeal.

This is good news. A sense of optimism on this one today.

Postponing Christmas

I don't often agree with Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), but here goes.

“Sen. Lieberman believes that there are at least 60 votes to repeal ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ this year, provided that leadership allows time for sufficient debate and amendments," Lieberman spokeswoman Erika Masonhall said. "Wanting to go home is not an acceptable excuse for failing to pass a bill that provides essential support for our troops and veterans and failing to take action that the president, the secretary of Defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have called for.”

Unfortunately, a little birdie says it ain't gonna happen anytime soon.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates is predicting the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the armed forces will be around for a while longer.

He addressed the matter in remarks to sailors Monday aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea. Gates said that he was "not particularly optimistic" that Congress would overturn the policy soon, even though he wishes it would.

Personally, I am not wedded to the idea that the policy should be overturned legislatively.  I'm fine with the Courts doing the job.  But it would be nice to see the lame-duck Senate should stay in session this year until the bill is passed and "don't ask, don't tell" is history.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" -- The Human Affect

For some time now, Rachel Maddow has been regularly doing interviews with individuals directly affected by the ban on gays in the military.  Incredible profiles.  Service members who have been discharged.  Men and women who are awaiting their fate.  Katherine Miller, a former cadet at the U.S. Military Academy who resigned from West Point a week before she would have been required to commit to finish her final two years and serve five years in the military.  All incredibly talented, smart and articulate.  All committed first and foremost, to country, service and duty.

No one has put a face on the human toll of “don’t ask, don’t ask” like Rachel Maddow. However, to the credit of interviewer and interviewees, the pieces have not at their core been about the individuals in question.  Maddow does a fabulous job of positioning the interview segments within the public policy discourse.  The interviews are as much about the person affected as they are about civil rights, military preparedness and the concepts of duty and service.  I walk away from each interview not only wanting to know more about the person interviewed, but thinking deeply about how my country’s military might be less prepared to do its job because this person is not allowed to serve.  A fabulous interweaving of the individual story, and the “big picture.”

And today, this from Greg Sargent:

One thing that's been oddly missing from the debate in the Senate over repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell is any discussion of the moral and human dimensions of this story, at least as it concerns the gay service-members themselves. The discussion has mostly focused on how straight troops will be impacted, and has otherwise been bone dry: It's all about what the statistics in the Pentagon report actually reveal and whether Robert Gates will implement repeal on a sufficiently flexible timetable.

Indeed, when Senator James Webb today asked the Service Chiefs a simple question about the gay human beings impacted by this discriminatory policy, everyone at the hearing acted a bit startled. Webb asked: What should we do with gay patriotic Americans who have already served our country for years, and want to lead free and open lives? Everyone looked uncomfortable, as if Webb had gone way off topic.

 Read the whole piece here, at the Washington Post.

This is about individual, human beings and about policy.  To deny that fact would be very, very un-American.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" -- On Condition of Anonymity

Well, no surprise here. Those in the know are telling me that the 10-month Pentagon study on gays in the military argues that gay troops could serve openly without compromise to troop readiness. The report has yet to be made pubic, but Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen are expected to discuss the findings with Congressional leaders and reporters later today. Both leaders are on record saying they support repealing the law.

In short, 115,000 troops and 44,200 military spouses responded to more than a half million questionnaires made available last summer. A clear majority of those responding don’t care if gays serve openly, with 70% predicting lifting the ban will have positive, mixed or no results.

And then there’s Sen. John McCain:

"This was a political promise made by an inexperienced president or candidate for presidency of the United States," McCain told CNN's "State of the Union" last weekend.

"The military is at its highest point in recruitment and retention and professionalism and capability, so to somehow allege that this policy has been damaging the military is simply false," McCain said.

I admit to having been uncomfortable with the idea of this survey in the first place, except to the extent to which it can give military leaders ideas on how to implement lifting of the ban, not whether it should be outlawed in the first place. Civil rights should not be held to the will of the voter, or the test of public opinion – discrimination is wrong, and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is discriminatory. But today I am heartened by what I read. It speaks volumes, and will make overturning the ban and implementing change much easier. No more excuses.

But what will John McCain do, except be very, very angry?