Colin Powell Sees the Future
Noting that military leaders are "not just a bunch of old generals who cannot see the future," former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell (pictured) looks back at the 1993 debate on gays in the military in the current issue of Vanity Fair.
Powell, who has often been used as a 'go-to guy' for those who oppose open service, has been influential in the debate since Day 1. He was one of the strongest voices in favor of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and, since '93, hasn't waivered much on his position. But now, there's a glimmer of progress beginning to show.
First, Powell told NBC's Meet the Press earlier this year that change might be possible. And in his VF interview, he makes some honest observations about the issue, and some hopeful predictions about what's to come.
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell," he says, "is still a discriminatory policy; it is prejudicial." He goes on to say that, "It's now fourteen years later, the country has changed, and the day may well come when it will not be a problem any longer."
And when asked by reporter Walter Isaacson "do you think that day will come?," Powell responds that "I think sooner or later it will come."
That will not be welcome news to John McCain, Elaine Donnelly or the other politicos who rely on Powell's staunch defense of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to help prop up their own views. But it is significant news to those who work for open service. Even one of the most (previously) hard-line opponents of open service can see change coming, and that's a sign of progress we can all appreciate.
Colin Powell, it seems, may be able to see the future after all.
- Steve RallsLabels: in the news, powell
-----10-22-07
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