When it comes to gay rights, that is.
On April 23, 2009, the New York Army National Guard instituted involuntary discharge proceedings against First Lieutenant Daniel Choi, a West Point educated arabic linguist with 15 months service in Iraq. The reason for the discharge: Choi admitted publicy that he is a homosexual, which is equated with homosexual conduct under the military’s so-called “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Thus far, President Obama, despite having promised during his campaign an intention to bring an end to this policy, and despite it being a stated objective on the White House web site, has failed to intervene.
I believe the President when he says he wants to bring an end to this discriminatory policy. I believe that he fully intends to do it. I just don’t agree with the delay.
The President should follow the model of his Democratic predecessor, Harry Truman, who in 1948, by executive order, desegregated the armed forces: It is hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin. This policy shall be put into effect as rapidly as possible, having due regard to the time required to effectuate any necessary changes without impairing efficiency or morale.
If an executive order is not a legally viable option, and I don’t think it is because the policy is statuatory, then he should publically demand that Congress immediately send him a bill for his signature to accomplish the same. Perhaps he could use his appearance at Notre Dame this afternoon to do so 
.
The point is that he should be doing everything in his power to stop the tide of involuntary discharges and it does not appear that he is doing so. The time for change is now, Mr. President. You need to stand up and loudly tell the country that discrimination against LGBT people is wrong and that, as a country, we are not going to do it anymore.
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