Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy Takes Effect

If you woke up this morning and the air smelled a little gayer, but also a touch safer, it wasn't thanks to the Broadway show tunes that lulled you to sleep last night. More likely, it was because as of 12:01 this morning, the policy known as Don't Ask, Don't Tell was formally consigned to the dustbin of irrationally prejudiced history.

Turns out the moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward fabulousness…

The 18-year-old "don't ask, don’t tell" policy officially ended at midnight and with it the discharges that removed more than 13,000 men and women from the military under the old ban on openly gay troops. To mark the historic change, gay rights groups are planning celebrations across the country while Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will usher in the new era at a Pentagon news conference.

The other side will be heard, too: Elaine Donnelly, a longtime opponent of allowing gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the armed forces, has already said that "as of Tuesday the commander in chief will own the San Francisco military he has created." Two top Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee — the chairman, Representative Howard P. McKeon of California, and Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina — have asked the Pentagon to delay the new policy, saying commanders in the field are not ready. But the Pentagon has moved on.

I have so many questions about this "San Francisco military" and the "Rainbow Warriors" who may now serve openly.  Will feather boas become mandatory accessories to the Army Combat Uniform? Will the score to La Cage aux Folles replace morning reveille? Will nefarious San Francisco values displace the martial virtues that keep us safe? A letter sent by top commanders to U.S. Army soldiers provides some guidance…

For over 236 years, the U.S. Army has been an extraordinary force for good in the world. Our Soldiers are the most agile, adaptable and capable warriors in history — and we are ready for this change…

Accordingly, we expect all personnel to follow our Values by implementing the repeal fully, fairly and in accordance with policy guidance. It is the duty of all personnel to treat each other with dignity and respect, while maintaining good order and discipline throughout our ranks. Doing so, will help the U.S. Army remain the Strength of the Nation.

Sounds like business as usual. Except now, when gay soldiers do the difficult work of defending Congressmen McKeon and Wilson's rights to be petty and bigoted brats, they can do so while being true to themselves. Progress.

Photo by Joshua Roberts/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Tags: DADT, Elaine Donnelly, Howard McKeon, Joe Wilson, Leon Panetta, LGBT, Mike Mullen, Military

Stephen Colbert on the Disaster in Japan and the Libyan Disaster

One day, you'll be able to tell your grandkids that you remember a time when the world wasn't falling to pieces from every possible direction.

That is, assuming you can have grandkids by next Thursday. Odds aren't great that there'll be a next Friday…

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30/10:30c.

Tags: Barack Obama, France, Japan, Libya, Mike Mullen, Military, Muammar Qaddafi, Natural Disasters, Ronald Reagan, Stephen Colbert, The Colbert Report, United Kingdom, United Nations

Jon Stewart's Extended Interview with Admiral Mike Mullen

Last night's Daily Show opened with Justin Bieber and closed with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen. I really don't think you could find two guys more different. After all, one of them is known for his angelic voice and work with Ludacris, and the other is Justin Bieber. Anyway, the Mullen interview with long, but you can watch the entire unedited segment here right now.

Part two is after the jump.

The Daily Show airs Monday through Thursday at 11/10c.

Read More »

Tags: DADT, Egypt, Jon Stewart, Mike Mullen, Military, The Daily Show, Video

Jon Stewart on John McCain's Heroic Efforts to Maintain Military Subjugation of Gays at All Costs (to His Soul)

This John McCain guy… I'm tellin' ya…

I'm just sayin' is all.

The Daily Show airs Monday through Thursday at 11pm / 10c.

Tags: DADT, House of Representatives, Joe Lieberman, John McCain, Jon Stewart, LGBT, Mike Mullen, Military, Pentagon, Robert Gates, Senate, Susan Collins, The Daily Show, Video

The Daily Show to John McCain: It Gets Worse

John McCain is once again drawing ire this week for his conservative stance on repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell. And sure, it's an outdated position that discriminates against our own citizens and makes us less safe, but give the guy a break. Allowing homosexuals to serve is a big step for a guy who enlisted right after they lifted the ban on homosapiens.

The Daily Show airs Monday through Thursday at 11pm / 10c.

Tags: Cindy McCain, DADT, Jason Jones, John McCain, John Oliver, LGBT, Mike Mullen, Robert Gates, The Daily Show, Video, Wyatt Cenac