As the government crawls toward what seems like an inevitable shutdown, GOP members called an emergency hearing yesterday to try to stall the plans to allow openly gay soldiers to serve in the American military.
Nice try, guys!
Most of the Pentagon officials who testified at the hearing admitted that their feelings toward the DADT repeal had changed. Especially James Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps and, formerly, one of the most outspoken opponents of the repeal.
“We’ve not seen issues,” said Amos. “There’s not been anxiety over it from the forces in the field. There hasn’t been the recalcitrant pushback. Young Marines, quite honestly, they’re focused on the enemy.”
DADT was repealed in December. The Pentagon said that repeal could be fully implemented by June, depending on when all soldiers receive the requisite training.
—Photo AP/Alex Brandon