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June 06, 2008

Architect of DADT Says It's Time to Revisit Policy

Architect of DADT Says It's Time to Revisit Policy

Former Georgia senator Sam Nunn, who was one of the primary lawmakers involved in the passage of the 1993 “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy prohibiting gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military, on Tuesday called on the government to review the law.

“I think [when] 15 years go by on any personnel policy, it’s appropriate to take another look at it -- see how it’s working, ask the hard questions, hear from the military. Start with a Pentagon study,” Nunn said after an Atlanta seminar on national security, according to The Atlanta Journal Constitution.


Nunn would not state explicitly whether he supports ending the policy.


“I’m not advocating anything, except I’m saying the policy was the right policy for the right time, and times change. It’s appropriate to take another look,” Nunn said to reporters.

Though some LGBT activists and strategists see Nunn's statements as significant, many also say he did not go far enough. "If you look at what he said, he didn't really say anything," said Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, an organization that lobbies for repeal of the "don't ask" policy. "He never called for Congress to change the federal statute. He didn't say he favored repealing 'don't ask, don't tell.' Not many people have an opportunity to right a wrong 15 years later. I find it all in all to be very disappointing."

Sarvis also told The Advocate that Nunn's move may be an indication that he's positioning himself for a high-level post in a Barack Obama administration. "You can't avoid the speculation that it's an attempt to become now aligned with Senator Obama's position on 'don't ask, don't tell.' If former senator Nunn has any ambition of entertaining the possibility of being in an Obama administration, he knows he has to move away from his former position." Senator Obama has clearly stated his support for repealing the policy.

"Don't ask, don't tell" is widely seen by gays as infringing on their right to free expression.
As reported in the Journal Constitution, Nunn added, “People don’t understand that that was the beginning point. We basically made it possible for people to serve honorably in the military without lying on the application.” (The Advocate)

Keywords:  DADT 
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Reader Comments

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  • Name: Bob V
    Date posted: 2008-06-06 12:31 PM
    Hometown: Atlanta GA

    Comment:

    I'm glad to see that Sam Nunn could be changing, but I'll need more than what I've heard to trust him. He took part in a carefully coordinated movement to force Bill Clinton to go back on his promise to allow gays and lesbians to serve in the military. He said at the time that his religion required him to oppose gays and lesbians. I'll be waiting for more.


  • Name: John
    Date posted: 2008-06-05 7:51 PM
    Hometown: DC

    Comment:

    Hold on one second, Senator!!! Studies have been done already by non-profits, think tanks, former Joint Chiefs, and even implemented by all our NATO allies (except Turkey) and other countries like Israel. I am sick and tired of waiting on people like you. Why not pick up that dropped bar of soap you were so freaked out about in submarines and stuff it.


  • Name: Roger Burr
    Date posted: 2008-06-05 2:18 PM
    Hometown: Marble Hill, MO

    Comment:

    Is Senator Nunn contemplating a political comeback? Or has he discovered someone in his life is gay? It seems strange that this man, one of the most vociferous opponents of LGBT people sevring openly in our militrary, now feels we need to take another look at the question. I don't mean to sound cynical, but I have trouble believing this walking Leopard of Republican conservatism has suddenly changed his spots. Perhaps he is just acknowledging his past closed mindedness. I'll take his support; but I have yet to see the sincerity of his motivation.


  • Name: Bob Smullen
    Date posted: 2008-06-05 9:51 AM
    Hometown: Hackensack

    Comment:

    No one is going to say that Sam Nunn is a brave man. But as a politician, he is a realist. He knows what he needs to do to stay in the game. Fifteen years ago he put forth anti-gay rhetoric as a means of keeping power. If he now sees it as being in his interest to dial back on the anti-gay rhetoric, well ... say what you will, but this is an indicator of the progress that America has made in terms of recognizing that us gay folks are part of the human race.


  • Name: Paul
    Date posted: 2008-06-05 8:57 AM
    Hometown: New York

    Comment:

    I think Nunn is covering his ass in hopes of being Obama's running mate. He's anathama to gay peoole who remember his terrible homophobia during the Don't Ask, Don't Tell hearings. Should Obama ask him to be his v.p., there will be hell to pay.


  • Name: Kevin Olomon
    Date posted: 2008-06-04 11:32 PM
    Hometown: Bloomington, IL.

    Comment:

    This is quite interesting in that at one time Nunn was known for being obnoxiously anti-gay. Maybe he's coming around as he ages? I guess there's always hope!


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