Joe's Corner

Sens. Lieberman, Collins: Good riddance DADT

USA Today Op-Ed
By Joe Lieberman and Susan Collins
September 21, 2011

The discriminatory policy of "don't ask, don't tell" (DADT) in the U.S. armed forces officially ended today. The repeal of this law is a victory for our national security and values, strengthening the ranks of our military at a time of war and advancing the causes that our nation stands for and our military fights for: freedom, opportunity and equality under the law.

Congress enacted DADT in 1993, in an attempt to forge a middle ground between those who believed that gay Americans should be allowed to serve in our military and those who believed they should be banned from doing so. But the law effectively treated gay Americans as second-class citizens, denying our military their service based on their sexual orientation, not their capacity to fight in war.

Between 2004 and 2009, nearly 800 troops deemed "mission critical" — including linguists, intelligence officers and medical professionals — were discharged because of their sexual orientation, not the quality of their service. This was one of the reasons so many military leaders came to support DADT repeal, including Adm. Mike Mullen, the outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

We were proud to help lead a bipartisan effort in Congress last year that led to the passage of legislation, which President Obama signed into law, putting in place a mechanism to repeal DADT.

We know that some are still concerned that DADT's repeal could harm our military. These fears are unfounded. Implementation of the repeal has gone smoothly: Nearly 2 million active servicemembers have completed training to prepare for the new policy since February. It is because of the professionalism and commitment of our men and women on the front lines of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere that after the law's repeal takes effect, it will be just another day of carrying out their nation's mission.

Today, as our forces are deployed around the world in the global fight against Islamist extremism, there is special justice in allowing openly gay Americans to join our military, given the ideology of our adversaries. In addition to their fanatical desire to mass-murder Americans, their complete rejection of women's rights, and their totalitarian vision, Islamist extremists have singled out gay men and lesbians for persecution. In fact, wherever Islamist extremists have come to power — whether under the Taliban in Afghanistan or the Islamic Republic of Iran today — lesbians and gay men have been subject to horrific mistreatment.

In addition to being morally, strategically sound, and consistent with our history, this law's repeal strengthens the bond between our military and the broader American public. ROTC programs are returning to our nation's top universities, at last ending a breach between academia and the military that opened during the Vietnam War more than four decades ago.

Perhaps the most inspiring consequence of DADT's repeal is that numerous Americans who were discharged under this policy are seeking to re-enlist. This is a testament to the remarkable patriotism of these servicemembers and a reflection of what the U.S. military itself is: an institution for good unique in human history, which continues to inspire Americans from all backgrounds to serve a cause greater than themselves.

The repeal of this discriminatory policy with broad, bipartisan support is also a hopeful example that Democrats and Republicans can still come together to get things done for our country. As a result, this week America becomes both fairer and stronger.

Joe Lieberman is an independent senator from Connecticut. Susan Collins is a Republican senator from Maine.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/story/2011-09-20/repeat-dont-ask-tell-military/50477264/1