Speaking as a gay man and 16-year Navy veteran, let me say that the very notion that the military can regulate sexual orientation is simply ludicrous at fce value. What the military can do is regulate personal sexual behavior, and on this they've done a mediocre job.

It is my considered observation that the biggest sexual morale problem the military faces within its ranks today stems not from the imaginary threat posed by gay men and lesbians to their straight colleagues, but rather from the very real discrimination and abuse far too many straight males in position of authority visit on an almost daily basis upon female soldiers / sailors / airmen under their command, or upon the wives / girlfriends of male subordinates.

In order to show the silliness of DADT, I always thought it should have been applied equally and hold heterosexuals who commit adultery to the same standard. If the brass discovered such a situation, the perpetrator should have been drummed out of the military.

Here's a thought: That SGT who opened up on a crisis center in Iraqg didn't do it because his CO was gay.

Maybe, just maybe, there are other issues that are affecting morale within the military right now.

And kicking out good soldiers who are needed overseas, just because of their orientation, doesnt' help, either.

Pres. Obama has stated he wants this overturned. He even sent a personal note to a young lady the other day that Rachel Maddow read on her program. He has stated he wants it done through Congress, it needs to be done there.

Yes, he could do it through an Executive Order, but that could very easily be overturned by the next President, whereas if the Congress makes it a law it will be more effective.

Congress needs to step up and do the will of the people and the military.. that said, if the military does support the repeal of DADT as has been stated, why are they kicking these men and women out? They could just refuse to do it.

No reason for them to continue to do it other than they choose to, they could just turn their backs and pretend not to hear. Just as they do for other things that happen.. don't tell me they don't.

Yes, he could do it through an Executive Order, but that could very easily be overturned by the next President, whereas if the Congress makes it a law it will be more effective.

NO. HE. CAN'T.

DADT is not just a military policy in DOD regulations. It is federal law, enshrined in Title 10 of the U.S. Code, Subtitle A, Part II, Chapter 37, Section 654, which specifically states, "Gays not allowed in the military." It is a federal law, from which the corresponding Department of Defense and individual service regulations are derived. This federal law is not something that can be set aside for good by Executive Order. People need to stop spreading that misinformation. It is a federal law and as such must be repealed by Congress.

HOWEVER, as Commander-in-Chief, what Obama CAN do is to order that all investigations, prosecutions, and discharge proceedings against suspected gay personnel be suspended while the military policy derived from the U.S. Code is under review. THAT is perfectly legal. The CINC has the authority to do that. We all know he won't, because it's been demonstrated that President Separate-But-Equal doesn't give a rat's ass about LGBT people. But he could if he really wanted to.

Out and About In the Castro has it spot-on. Gays have no negative effect on a military unit until homophobic bigots rip the unit apart during witch hunts and discharge proceedings. Heterosexual fraternization, harassment, adultery, and rape are far more common, and are all criminal behaviors. Sadly, those go unremarked upon as a normal part of military culture. It's gays who are the sexual criminals, dontcha know.

I do wonder what would happen if Rethugs ever really learned the meaning of the phrase "informed consenting adults." The pink mist from exploding heads would be enough to water all the national parks.