Either we want to be an example of an open and accountable government, and actually have the moral authority and credibility to lead the world, or we want to delude ourselves into believing that the actions we've taken, and the efforts to cover up those actions, are representative of a great democracy.

Either we can put ourselves, as a nation, back in our place, or we can continue along these lines and understand that it is bound to be done for us.  No, I am not hoping or even suggesting we will be hit by terrorists again, but I am suggesting that our current course is hurting us globally.  I don't, for example, envy Hillary Clinton telling the Chinese they should look back into their past and address what they find there.  Soon, Obama will have to replace the presidential seal with a big red neon sign that flashes "hypocrite" in 3-foot tall letters.

"Don't Pursue

More than a dozen specific investigative limits as laid out in DoD instructions and directives comprise "Don't Pursue." It is the most complicated and least understood component of the policy. These investigative limits establish a minimum threshold to start an inquiry and restrict the scope of an inquiry even when one is properly initiated.

A service member may be investigated and administratively discharged if he or she:

    1. states that he or she is lesbian, gay or bisexual;

    2. engages in physical contact with someone of the same sex for the purposes of sexual gratification; or

    3. marries, or attempts to marry, someone of the same sex.

Only a service member's commanding officer may initiate an inquiry into homosexual conduct. In order to begin an inquiry, the commanding officer must receive credible information from a reliable source that a service member has violated the policy. Actions that are associational behavior, such as having gay friends, going to a gay bar, attending gay pride events, and reading gay magazines or books, are never to be considered credible. In addition, a service member's report to his/her command regarding harassment or assault based on perceived sexuality is never to be considered credible evidence.

If a determination is made that credible information exists that a service member has violated the policy, a service member's commanding officer may initiate a "limited inquiry" into the allegation or statement. That inquiry is limited in two primary ways. First, the command may only investigate the factual circumstances directly relevant to the specific allegation(s). Second, in statements cases, the command may only question the service member, his/her chain of command, and anyone that the service member suggests. In most cases of homosexual statement, no investigation is necessary. Cases involving sexual acts between consenting adults should be dealt with administratively, and criminal investigators should not be involved. The command may not attempt to gather additional information not relevant to the specific act or allegation, and the command may not question anyone outside of those listed above without approval from the Secretary of that Service. Such an investigation is considered a "substantial investigation." In order to request authority to conduct a "substantial investigation," the service member's command must be able to clearly articulate an appropriate basis for an investigation. As with a "limited inquiry," only a service member's commanding officer has the authority to request permission to conduct a "substantial investigation." By definition, a "substantial investigation" is anything that extends beyond questioning the service member, the service member's immediate chain of command, and anyone the service member suggests.

Amend this directive and make it ONLY pursue if something impossible occurs.