Bryan Bender reports:
An article in the Pentagon’s top scholarly journal calls in unambiguous terms for lifting the ban on gays serving openly in the armed forces, arguing that the military is essentially forcing thousands of gay men and women to lead dishonest lives in an organization that emphasizes integrity as a fundamental tenet.
Zengerle adds:
[W]hile the decision to publish the paper was ultimately made by the journal’s editorial board, Mike Mullen’s office did review the article before it was published–which could be an indication that the Pentagon is beginning to lay the groundwork to do something about DADT.
And Ambinder does some reporting:
Nathanial Frank, a Palm Center scholar the University of Santa Barbara, calls the article a “watershed” in the debate. “It does not mean that Chairman Mullen has announced his support for repeal, but it does reflect a seismic shift in military opinion on the gay troops issue. It shows that even people inside the Pentagon are increasingly critical of the policy and are willing to air that publicly.” Among the biggest objections to a DADT repeal — at the among the objections that carry water with military brass — is that soldiers, on balance, oppose a repeal. But surveys also show that most believe that they, personally, could get along with gay soldiers. Another sign: Lt. Daniel Choi, the Arabic linguist kicked out of the military for being gay, is the featured speaker at two West Point classes this week. His Tweet: “Heading up to West Point to speak to two classes. “Hooah, Beat Navy!”)
The Dish 