Pentagon Gets To Work On Repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

WASHINGTON -The Pentagon says it’s working on a plan for ending the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that bars gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military.

In last night’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama urged Congress to repeal the ban, saying it’s “the right thing to do.”

A Pentagon panel looking at the issue has advised the Joint Chiefs that: “Now is not the time.” But a spokesman for Adm. Mike Mullen says the Joint Chiefs chairman and the other service chiefs “understand perfectly the president’s intent” and will “provide their best military advice” on how to repeal the policy.

Obama’s appeal has been criticized by people on both sides of the debate.

The executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force says Obama should have announced a suspension of dismissals.

But, Sen. John McCain argues that “don’t ask, don’t tell” has been successful and shouldn’t be dropped while troops are on the battlefield.