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Admiral Change?

Admiral Michael Mullen, the likely successor to outgoing Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Peter Pace, may face questions in his confirmation about Pace's views on lesbian and gay service members, as well as his own. A look at his past remarks on the topic of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" suggests Admiral Mullen may be open to change. The Washington Blade reports on Mullen’s remarks about the military's ban: Mullen, who will be recommended to succeed Pace, said April 3 at the Brookings Institution in Washington that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has “served us very well.” But he also said that he would be open to reconsidering the issue. “If it’s time to revisit that policy, the American people I believe — and we live in a country — the American people ought to raise that issue and we’ll have the debate,” he said according to a transcript. “As a member of the Joint Chiefs and obviously the head of one of the services, I will contribute to that and give my best military advice based on what — the debate that’s going on, and if it changes, it changes. I think that’s the path right now.” If Admiral Mullen is ready to listen to the American people, he will indeed find support for change. Eight out of ten Americans now support repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and 73% of service members report they are comfortable with lesbians and gays. We hope Mullen will stick to his commitment to a debate about the issue. Having a sitting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs participating in an honest, balanced conversation about open service would represent a sea change in military perspective compared to 1993, when the issue was last debated in Congress. Will Admiral Mullen bring about admirable change? We'll be waiting to see . . . - Steve Ralls

Labels: in the news, Joint Chiefs, Pace

06-09-07