Gates Lays Down The Law To Marines

I can't say that I usually agree with Defense Secretary Robert Gates. In fact, I usually disagree with him, especially when he is talking about the wars in Afghanistan or Iraq, or the defense budget. But in his latest trip to Afghanistan I'll have to admit that I am proud of the unequivocal answer he gave a Marine sergeant about homosexuals in the military.

As you probably know, the failed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" program in the United States military has been discontinued, and the military is now in the process of implementing new rules which will allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. This is a very good thing, and I appreciate how the Pentagon and the Defense Department have jumped on board with the new rules.

When Gates was talking to a group of Marines in Afghanistan, a Marine sergeant asked him if Marines who did not like the change could opt out of the military instead of serving alongside openly homosexual troops. It was a stupid question and not worthy of the vast majority of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines serving this country. Here is Gates answer:

"No, You'll have to complete your ... enlistment just like everybody else."


"The reality is that you don't all agree with each other on your politics, you don't agree with each other on your religion, you don't agree with each other on a lot of things. But you still serve together. And you work together. And you look out for each other. And that's all that matters."


"If we do this right, nothing will change. You will still have to abide by the same rules of behavior, the same discipline, the same respect for each other that has been the case through all the history of the Marine Corps."


Thank you Mr. Secretary. It is good to see someone in our government standing up for equality.

Gates Should Be Replaced Immediately

I have to admit I don't like the sound of this. Sources within the Obama transition team are saying that Obama will keep Bush appointee, Robert Gates, as his Secretary of Defense -- probably for at least a year. They say this will allow for a smoother transition in a time of war.

It also would fulfill a campaign promise by Obama to include a Republican in his cabinet, and allow Obama to concentrate more fully on the economy. Personally, I think that's a ridiculous idea.

If Obama wants a Republican in his administration (and I am not opposed to that), there are plenty of other jobs to fill and other Republicans to consider. But Gates is a bad choice. He is a friend of the Bush family and has been running this very unpopular war for the last two years. Keeping him on as Secretary of Defense just sends the wrong message.

One of the major reasons Obama was able to overcome the formidible candidacy of Hillary Clinton was his opposition to the war from the very beginning. Leaving Gates in place makes it look like he is now willing to continue Bush's war, rather than end it as the American people want.

Neither the Iraqis nor the American people want the occupation of Iraq to continue. Instead of allowing the war to continue, Obama needs to show the American people he is going to end it. And he needs to do that NOW -- not in 2011. Gates' replacement would signal that change is coming. Allowing him to stay just looks like more of the same, and more useless American deaths.

Obama needs to keep his campaign promise. He needs to replace Gates and end the war.