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Ron Paul Says He’d Change “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

Texas Congressman and Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul, known for a more libertarian view on politics than most of the Republican field, says he would change "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" if elected to the White House. In a Q&A with Google, Paul pointed to the recent dismissals of lesbian and gay Arabic linguists as evidence that the policy needs, at the least, a revision. Speaking about one of those discharges, Paul said that "He was kicked out, for no real good reason at all, and I would, I would want to change that, I don’t support that interpretation." Paul's remarks are a welcome step in the right direction for the GOP, but still leave some big questions to be answered. Does the Congressman believe it's time to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell?" In re-iterating his views on "disruptive" behavior, is he suggesting that military rules & regulations be applied without regard to sexual orientation? And in that case, would he support open service? Or is the Congressman advocating a different change altogether? No one knows for sure yet, but at least one 2008 GOP contender seems to be taking at least one small step in the right direction, and that's good news, indeed. - Steve Ralls

Labels: 2008, Congress

07-16-07