Topic: Gays in the Military

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Rick Santorum: Top 7 culture war moments

As a senator, Rick Santorum was one of the Republican Party's best-known culture warriors. Now, as a surging presidential contender, Mr. Santorum is still leading the charge, and facing questions about some of his old, and not so old, comments. Here is a sample.
Who's who on Congress's debt 'super committee'

Congress has created a special super committee to find at least $1.2 trillion in US budget cuts. If the plan is voted down, automatic spending cuts are slated to occur. Here are the 12 lawmakers named to the super committee.
How will Pentagon handle 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal? Five questions answered.

A Pentagon supplement released in November offers clear answers on a number of matters relating to the repeal of 'don’t ask, don’t tell.'
Six big achievements of a surprisingly 'do something' Congress

The 111th Congress, which adjourned Wednesday, is one of the most productive in US history, its 13 percent approval rating notwithstanding.
Photos of the Day: Photos of the day: 12/22

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Panetta: No hitches in military's repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell'

Since September, gay service members have been able to serve openly in the US military. The end of the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy is 'going very well,' Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Thursday.
Obama supports gay marriage: Historic switch carries risks (+video)

Obama supports gay marriage in an interview with ABC News, ending a period in which he said his views were 'evolving.' The move was instantly hailed and denounced by the opposing sides on the issue.
Rick Santorum: Top 7 culture war moments

As a senator, Rick Santorum was one of the Republican Party's best-known culture warriors. Now, as a surging presidential contender, Mr. Santorum is still leading the charge, and facing questions about some of his old, and not so old, comments. Here is a sample.
The Vote
'Perrodies'? How Rick Perry ad spawned a viral Internet sensation (video)

Rick Perry's campaign ad 'Strong' – which goes after gays in the military, the 'war on Christmas,' and the ban on prayer in schools in one fell swoop – has 646,000 'dislikes' on YouTube.
Sex, race, and religion: Speed bumps along the campaign trail

Mitt Romney's religion, Herman Cain's comments about Muslims, Rick Perry's hunting camp with the racially-offensive name – just a few of the distractions along the 2012 campaign trail.
The Vote
Sex, race, and the Republican presidential campaign

Rick Perry is under fire for the racial slur that was the name of his family’s hunting camp. Meanwhile, all the GOP presidential candidates are being asked why they didn't stop the booing when a gay soldier raised "don't ask, don't tell" at their recent debate.
Why Pentagon chiefs are cheering end of 'don't ask, don't tell'

Top Pentagon officials hailed the end of the 'don't ask, don't tell' ban on openly gay service members Tuesday as a move consistent with the military's honor and integrity.
Who's who on Congress's debt 'super committee'

Congress has created a special super committee to find at least $1.2 trillion in US budget cuts. If the plan is voted down, automatic spending cuts are slated to occur. Here are the 12 lawmakers named to the super committee.
The end to 'don't ask, don't tell' follows shifting public attitudes

“Don’t ask, don’t tell” – the ban on gay men and women serving openly in the US military – comes to end September 20. Public attitudes have shifted dramatically since it came into force 18 years ago.
Military benefits? Not for gay couples in armed forces.

Military benefits will still be mostly reserved for heterosexual couples. Despite the repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell,' military benefits like housing and travel allowances won't be extended to gay partners.
As 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal nears, concerns crop up on both sides

Some US troops worry that allowing openly gay troops to serve will put them on the defensive, while supporters are concerned about potential delays in the repeal of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’
Facing a firestorm, Navy reverses course on performing same-sex marriages

The chief of Navy chaplains had said same-sex marriages could be performed in military chapels as soon as 'don't ask, don't tell' ends. But a sharply critical response has put that on hold.
Navy marriage rules now allow for same-sex unions

Navy marriage: Military training to apply the new law allowing gays to serve openly began early this year and is expected to be complete by midsummer.
Pentagon: 'Don't ask, don't tell' could be gone by September

Pentagon officials told Congress on Friday that 'don't ask don't tell' – regulations prohibiting the service of openly gay or lesbian troops – could cease being military policy within six months.
As Harvard welcomes back ROTC, other elite schools may follow

At a ceremony with the secretary of the Navy, Harvard welcomes ROTC back to its campus, ending a Vietnam-era ban. Columbia, Brown, and other top schools may soon do the same.
Pentagon divulges few details on 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal

Despite a comprehensive study on the subject, the Pentagon offers few specifics about how it will implement the 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal. The process could begin this month.
US military's last barrier to equality: ban on women in combat

An outdated Pentagon policy bars women from more than 220,000 US military positions. Yet the Army is gaming the restrictions by attaching women to combat units. The current policy is a legal fiction that not only degrades equality, but combat efficiency. It's high time we rescind it.
The Vote
GOP push for repeal of health reform: Is it politically wise?

House Republicans who ran on a pledge to undo health reform are promising a repeal vote soon. But could it ever pass the Senate or survive a veto? And would it anger voters?
How will Pentagon handle 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal? Five questions answered.

A Pentagon supplement released in November offers clear answers on a number of matters relating to the repeal of 'don’t ask, don’t tell.'
The Vote
In Alaska, Joe Miller steps aside for Lisa Murkowski to take Senate seat

Joe Miller says he is withdrawing his objection to the certification of Lisa Murkowski so that Alaska can have its full delegation seated next month.
Robert Reich
Why Obama wins on the military but loses on the economy

President Obama has scored huge victories — START, gays in the military — and huge losses. The difference? The GOP won't get behind anything that threatens the wealthy.
Six big achievements of a surprisingly 'do something' Congress

The 111th Congress, which adjourned Wednesday, is one of the most productive in US history, its 13 percent approval rating notwithstanding.
Obama hails lame-duck Congress's respite from partisan squabbling

At a press conference Wednesday, President Obama cites 'season of progress' brought about by less partisanship and more cooperation between Democrats and Republicans during the lame-duck Congress.
'Don't ask, don't tell': Repeal signed, sealed, but when will it be delivered?

At signing, Obama says repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell' will 'strengthen our national security.' But the lack of a clear timetable for implementation is already frustrating some gay rights advocates.
Photos of the Day: Photos of the day: 12/22