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In fact, it's way past time. Don't Ask Don't Tell was a silly policy when it was implemented, and is even sillier now. You could make the argument that it was a necessary interim step, given the acceptance of gays then versus now, but that moment has passed. It's time to realize that one's sexual orientation -- or preferences, for that matter -- don't have much to do with your ability to aim a gun, run a radio, or lead troops in combat.

Looks like the military is finally catching up to the rest of us:

"I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens." -- Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Mullen and Robert Gates (SecDef) told the Senate Armed Services Committee that it was time to eliminate the policy. Of course, they have to have a study group and take a year to do it -- but at least they've got their troops aimed in the right direction.

Not so the Republicans, who still think bigotry is a good military strategy:

Several committee Republicans, led by the ranking member, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, said they were disappointed with Obama's decision and supported retaining the "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Mullen gets the last word, though, and it's a good one:

Mullen said allowing lesbians and gay men to serve openly is "an issue of integrity — theirs as individuals and ours as an institution. ... I also believe the great young men and women of our military can and would accommodate such a change."

Admiral Mullen gets it. Let's hope he can help the rest of the military, and the McCains of the world, to get it as well.

Time to throw DADT on the dust-heap of history.