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Obama says ‘national security has been strengthened’ one year after repeal of DADT

Sep. 20, 2012 1:25pm Eddie Scarry

Today marks the one year anniversary of the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. President Obama released a statement, saying “It is a testament to the professionalism of our men and women in uniform that this change was implemented in an orderly manner…”

Obama also said he has “seen that our national security has been strengthened” in light of the repeal of the law.

In May, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said of the repeal: “It’s not impacting on morale. It’s not impacting on unit cohesion. It is not impacting on readiness.”

Full statement from Obama after the jump…

A year ago today, we upheld the fundamental American values of fairness and equality by finally and formally repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ Gay and lesbian Americans now no longer need to hide who they love in order to serve the country they love. It is a testament to the professionalism of our men and women in uniform that this change was implemented in an orderly manner, preserving unit cohesion, recruitment, retention and military effectiveness. As Commander in Chief, I’ve seen that our national security has been strengthened because we are no longer denied the skills and talents of those patriotic Americans who happen to be gay or lesbian. The ability of service members to be open and honest about their families and the people they love honors the integrity of the individuals who serve, strengthens the institutions they serve, and is one of the many reasons why our military remains the finest in the world.

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Comments (12)

Ducky657
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:55am
Based on what? It has been law for a matter of months and there is no way you can quantify something like this. If retention and recruitment go down (expected by Obama Administration) they will simply spin it as years of war has made it more difficult to recruit. DADT was stupid to begin with but it was what Clinton used to open the door so Obama could simply shew the horses out of the barn. Reminds me of Woodrow Wilson segregating the U.S. Armed Forces and Civil Services in 1913. You Progressives you!

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candymanal
Posted on September 20, 2012 at 6:34pm
I’d really like to know the context, by which this man asserts, that because of DADT, our security is tighter.
What? Being openly gay, makes us a stronger nation?
Don’t Muslims hate gays? Don’t they want to kill us all for our abhorrent behavior?
Or, maybe, just maybe, they still love us as much as they ever did.
After two terms in VietNam, I can tell you that being gay or straight, had nothing to do with anyones ability to cover their ass. Literally and figuratively.
They should arrest this bum, for pandering.

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redgypsy
Posted on September 20, 2012 at 4:42pm
Um…gays are what? 3-4% of the population? Assume they want to join the military in the same proportion–that means we are 3-4% strengthened??
Oh wow.

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Dumpster Baby
Posted on September 20, 2012 at 4:08pm
Well he did kill Bin Laden.

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myeyesarewideopen
Posted on September 20, 2012 at 3:55pm
I guess we as a nation must have thinned down. Michell O recently said obesity was the greatest threat to our nations security.

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carrie555
Posted on September 20, 2012 at 3:50pm
Hey, what’s wrong is right and what’s right is wrong, this is the mentality of liberals. They’ve decided to flush their morals right down the crapper. I know that sounds harsh, but I’m just calling it as I see it.

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Jenny Lind
Posted on September 20, 2012 at 3:08pm
Like he would know anything about any “lowley” grunt or Sarge or Gunny, or Master Chief thinks. Pfffft, what a jerk.

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IAMMADDOG
Posted on September 20, 2012 at 3:05pm
He also says that we are in economic recovery. So why should we believe him now? He has not told the truth since the day he messed up the oath of office.

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Ex_marine_dude_8313
Posted on September 20, 2012 at 2:34pm
Obama never served so how could he know???

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- Winedude
  Posted on September 22, 2012 at 2:09am
  Reagan never served and he seemed to know about our security (or at least gave that impression to the gullible.)
  
  Report this comment
- soofedup
  Posted on September 22, 2012 at 6:37pm
  winedude, that is a lie, Reagan served.
  
  Report this comment
Dismayed Veteran
Posted on September 20, 2012 at 2:29pm
Maybe he should as a line snuffy like my son.

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