An important issue when discussing rights and the broadening of those rights to a greater number of people is the actual process by which such an act is done. We've spent some time discussing how to ensure that the rights we all share ar acknowledged and protected; through legislation, treaties, or force. Most vital to remember with all of these is that is takes time, a large amount of it, to accomplish human rights goals efficiently, effectively, and legitimately.
This article brings to light how unwarranted judgments and misconceptions are formed when we forget that major changes and advances require much time and diligence. A number of gay activists have posited a theory that the Obama administration, specifically Jim Messina his deputy chief of staff, is trying to put an end to those vocalizing the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't tell; all of this stemming from theincident involving Lt. Dan Choi and five other soldiers protesting DADT where the media was blocked off from them. The article further goes on to dispute any claim to validity that the theory could have and portrays the mistrust of the gay activists towards the White House as misguided. Most importantly this article demonstrates the importance of understanding that working out human rights issues and developing strategies that will legitimately and ultimately right the wrong is a time consuming effort; even if the current strategy is not the swiftest it is one forumulated to work and work well.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Your argument, I think, is similar to incrementalism used in public policy. Essentially, policies can not be changed drastically from one stance to the other but instead policies can be incrementally. I often agree with this idea, but sometimes I wonder if it is not more important to make dramatic changes now. For example, I personally heard several military officers say they would rejoin the military if DADT was repealed, could this not encourage Congress to repeal DADT quicker?
ReplyDeleteMy feelings are mixed about DADT, but not mixed with regard to expanding rights for homosexuals. I also think that many of the expanding rights arguments, within the U.S., get tangled up in public policy issues.