Gen Clark On Gays: Axe 'Don't Ask' Give Civil Unions

http://www.365gay.com/newscontent/111203clarkGays.htm

Democratic presidential hopeful Wesley Cark says if he were in the White House he would order the military to implement a policy allowing gays to serve in the military, and then press to have Congress approve it.

It is Clark's strongest statement to date on the controversial 'don't ask, don't tell policy, and clarified statements he earlier made during a television interview.

Responding to a number of questions asked by the Human Rights Campaign of all the Democratic Candidates, and released today, Clark said, " I would ask the military to craft and implement a policy that ensures that everyone who wants to serve their country is permitted to do so with honor and dignity. I would ask the military to look seriously at the British policy, which prohibits sexual misconduct by both heterosexuals and homosexuals. I would then submit the new policy to Congress to replace the current ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell’ law.”



but does this make up for his support of the flag burning amendment

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one way or the other. If I had had a vote, I would have voted against it, but I don't think of it as a very big deal. I think it is a very big deal to get some equale treatment for gays and lesbians in our society - somewhere. Making sexual orientation a non-issue in the military is an excellent start. Good for Clark!

I'll bet there are a lot more gay and lesbian people who will be affected by this than the number of people burning flags.

Clark is still my first choice but I have to admit the flag burning thing threw me for a big loop

Clark, like the others is like a car. They all come with different features. They all come from different manufacturers. Some makers are inherently better than others, but the models are all different. So you give and take. Remember, there is no candidate that is a 100% ideological fit.

Clark has struggled with this position for a while. He has been more outspoken sometimes than others. I think that he doesn't want to offend anyone. His message has been consistent that he doesn't like Don't Tell. This is the strongest he has come out for this since his last MTP interview in June. I think he is just coming into his own.

The backward two-step for Clark: Supporting a Constitutional amendment prohibiting desecration of the flag.

One step forward: This stance of his on gays in the military.

Clark is not a bad guy. Not my first choice, but not a bad guy just the same.

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that would not allow a flag-burning yay or nay from the executive branch

And if it comes down to it, I think I could live with the illegality of buring flags for a democratic victory from Clark.

That just makes him more likly to carry places like Florida, Arkansas, Georgia, the Carolinas, and also Arizona a plain state or two

People are focusing so much on Bush, that they forget we need the legislatures too. We need those coat-tails. Attacking Congress for being cockroaches won't help us get more seats.

My thanks to General Clark for strengthening his position on gays in the military.

But I want to plead with him to reconsider his support of the flag desecration amendment. Please read Joe Conason and his quote from Colin Powell. Don't give in to the demogogues and don't stand with the people who are trying to erode our civil liberties step-by-step.

I don't agree with Clark on the Flag issue, but there are things I don't agree with the other candidates on too. But it's not at the top of my list, and it doesn't seem like he'll have direct input into the issue as president. And it does innoculate him to an extent in the south. So on balance, I'm still for Clark. I do wish he'd reconsider it though.

It's not a big deal to me, but it's something I don't agree with. It's just that I don't agree with the other candidates even more :)

but we need some big name southern Dems to come on board--their support will buffer Clark against any criticism against the Repukes for his support for gay issues

THat's good to see. Now we wait for the candidate bashers to come in and say that Clark just made himself unelectable because of how Rove will spin this.

I like Clark a little more right now than I did ten minutes ago.

but it's also kinda sad that we're so thrilled to have one of our leaders come out with a statement that's seen as so "bold". It needs to be said, obviously. But at the same time, i still can't believe this is still such a controversial topic in this day and age.

Well done, General!

Kucinich and Clark. Hopefully Dean's a bit better on this issue/

Im confoozed!!!!