While one could interpret “possibly lengthy repeal process as laid out in the bill” to refer to the post “repeal” so-called “implementation process,” that would be factually incorrect. All that is “laid out in the bill” is the requirement that Obama/Gates/Mullen “certify” in writing to Congress that:
“(A) That the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have considered the recommendations contained in the ['study'] report and the report’s proposed plan of action.
(B) That the Department of Defense has prepared the necessary policies and regulations to exercise the discretion provided by the amendments made by subsection (f).
(C) That the implementation of necessary policies and regulations pursuant to the discretion provided by the amendments made by subsection (f) is consistent with the standards of military readiness, military effectiveness, unit cohesion, and recruiting and retention of the Armed Forces.”
The ONLY thing that would happen for certain after that is “DADT” would be repealed 60 days later.
Of course, “B” is the potential black hole delaying any change in perpetuity. Pre creation of this absurd amendment [after Gates insisted in May that the unequivocal, time-limited Military Readiness Enhancement Act be gutted], Gates told the Senate Armed Services Committee February 2nd that, “if legislation is passed repealing don’t ask, don’t tell, we would feel it very important that we be given some period of time for that implementation, at least a year.”
Barring President Obama recovering the conviction of Candidate Obama, unequivocal open service is not going to happen any time soon. Thank you.
]]>