104 Generals and
Admirals: Military Gay Ban Must End

More than 100 retired generals and admirals are calling for an end to "don't ask, don't tell," the military's policy of not allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military, reports the Associated Press.

"As is the case with Great Britain, Israel, and other nations that allow gays and lesbians to serve openly, our service members are professionals who are able to work together effectively despite differences in race, gender, religion, and sexuality," the officers wrote. Military readiness was the overall focus of their call for repeal.

The statement from military leaders resurrects the policy debate for President-elect Barack Obama at a time that parallels similar deliberations at the outset of the Clinton administration. Those contentious talks ultimately resulted in adoption of the discriminatory policy and is widely considered to be the first major PR blunder of incoming President Clinton, who had made a campaign pledge to repeal the ban on gays in the military.

President-elect Obama supports repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" but told The Advocate last spring that he would not use the issue as a litmus test in choosing his Joint Chiefs of Staff. (The Advocate)