With The Stroke of A Pen

Mr. President: The time is now.  In recognition of your proclamation celebrating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month 2009 I’d like to present this question to the you:

Why not do something more than issue a declaration?

Why not do something now to honor gay Americans who are serving for and fighting for the country you lead?

Why not take out your pen and issue an Executive Order suspending all discharge proceedings under the archaic DADT until such time as Congress can repeal it?

Nearly sixty-one years ago, in 1948, President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981, which stated:

“It is hereby declared to be the policy of the President that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin.”

Amid protestations from military leaders, Congress, and a majority of Americans, President Truman kick-started the end of racial discrimination in the military; allowing black soldiers to serve openly and equally alongside their white counterparts.

This action, along with those of heroic civil rights leaders over the next twenty five years and continuing to this day, opened the door of opportunity that allowed an intelligent, compassionate, educated black man to become President of the United States.

Mr. President: You have the opportunity this month, June of 2009, to end the discrimination against gays in the military. You have the opportunity to honor the Victor Fehrenbach’s and Dan Choi’s and countless other heroes in the military who happen to be Gay and Lesbian. You can make history.

With the stroke of a pen.