'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Dispute Reignited

By The Associated Press
Published: July 24, 2008

» Comments | Post a Comment

WASHINGTON --

Opponents of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the military denounced it as cruel and unpatriotic Wednesday. Supporters insisted it was needed to maintain military morale, and raised the prospect of a rise of HIV infection among service members if gays serve openly.

The heated exchanges came as Congress held its first hearing on "don't ask, don't tell" since its enactment 15 years ago. Although legislation has been introduced to overturn the ban, the hearing wasn't an attempt to advance the bill, something supporters say can happen only if Democratic Sen. Barack Obama is elected president.

Republican Sen. John McCain supports "don't ask, don't tell."

Instead, "our purpose today is to begin a long-overdue review ... and to start a conversation about the real-life impact on our service members, their families and the operational readiness of our military," said Rep. Susan Davis, D-Calif., chairwoman of the House Armed Services personnel subcommittee.