Don't ask, don't tell, everyone ring the culture war bell

By Michael J.W. Stickings

So Obama, it is being reported, intends to do away with the military's (and Clinton's) ridiculous "don't ask, don't tell" policy, one that allows gays to serve in the military only if they remain in the closet and everyone else remains in the dark. When asked about it directly, soon-to-be Press Secretary Robert Gibbs gave a direct answer: "Yes," meaning, it will be be gotten rid of.

Good enough, right?

Well, not for Fox News, which, in reporting the story in its characteristically "fair" and "balanced" way, decided to spin the move as potentially damaging to Obama's presidency and as a first strike in a renewed culture war:

The startling pronouncement, which could re-open a dormant battle in the culture wars and distract from other elements of Obama's agenda, came during a Gibbs exchange with members of the public who sent in questions that were answered on YouTube.

First, how is it "startling." The "pronouncement" was blunt, to be sure, but, as Fox admits, Obama has long been opposed to the policy.

Second, it's not like the policy is extremely popular, whereas Obama is. He'll need to spend much of his political capital on the stimulus package, of course, and then on health care, energy, and education reform, among other initiatives, but the good thing is, he has a lot of capital to spend. There would certainly be opposition both from within the military and from without, and it could become a minor distraction, but Obama would no doubt be able to handle it while making a strong case for doing away with the policy.

Third, it is the right that wants to, and intends to, reopen the culture wars, as Palin and others tried to do during the presidential campaign, and it will go there regardless. Yes, this would give them an opening, but standing up for the rights of gays and lesbians to serve their country against bigots who want them to keep quiet about who they are or, better, to get the hell out of the military altogether is a fight Obama and the opponents of the policy should be willing to have. It's not about "culture," after all, with one "culture" pitted against another, it's about equal rights, that is, about a cornerstone of American democracy and the American way of life, as well as about patriotism, about men and women who want to be treated fairly, to be respected for who they are, and to serve alongside their fellow citizens in protecting America, men and women who are prepared to risk their lives for the sake of their country.

Fox News and its ilk may want to frame the story in terms that support the right's perspectives and goals, but the truth is that Obama is in a position to do away with a bad and bigoted policy. And he has both the conviction and the popularity to do so.