The deal is being forced down the Pentagon's throat, and is really more style than substance since the military has until December 1 to figure out how to implement it. But the shameless pandering to the gay community by the Democrats will probably shut them up for a while:

The New York Times:

It was not clear whether the deal had secured the votes necessary to pass the House and Senate, but the agreement removed the Pentagon's objections to having Congress vote quickly on repealing the contentious 17-year-old policy, which bars gay men and lesbians from serving openly in the armed services.

House Democratic leaders were meeting Monday night and considering taking up the measure as soon as Thursday. But even if the measure passes, the policy cannot not change until after Dec. 1, when the Pentagon completes a review of its readiness to deal with the changes. Mr. Obama, his defense secretary and the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff would also be required to certify that repeal would not harm readiness.

The measure could enable gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military for the first time, ending a policy that Mr. Obama, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, all say they oppose.

Representative Patrick J. Murphy, Democrat of Pennsylvania and a leading advocate in the House for repeal, is hoping to attach the proposal to a defense authorization bill that will come up for a vote on Thursday.

The gay community is an important Democratic constituency in that they are extremely active at the grass roots level. While this deal will really not change much, it is an important signal from Democrats that they are serious about getting rid of DADT.

And the military? Their concerns have been effectively muzzled. So once again, the armed forces will be used for social experiementation whether the change is good for the military or not.