House votes to end 'don't ask, don't tell'

[nmbluesky]

WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives voted Thursday to end 'don't ask, don't tell,' the 1993 policy that bars openly gay men and lesbians from serving in the military.

The House vote was a victory for President Barack Obama, who has pushed for a change in military policy.

The full House took up the amendment late Thursday amid fierce opposition, particularly among Republicans who cited letters from military service chiefs urging Congress to hold off on the legislation until the Pentagon completes a study of the impact on military life and readiness.

The 234-194 vote for passage included 229 Democrats and five Republicans voting for the change and 26 Democrats joining 168 Republicans against it.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37388025/ns/politics-capitol_hill/

[csziggy]

1. Finally n/t

[SoCalNative]

2. FReeper heads must be exploding

all over the country

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[ladym55]

3. Now to get it past the obstructionist Senate

The House gets it done -- AGAIN -- now we must wait for Mitch McChinless and his buddies to whine and whinge before anything happens.

[MindandSoul]

4. Finally a concrete step forward! Great news!

[LoveIsNow]

5. Who are the five Republicans?

Being a former resident of her district, I'm pretty sure one is Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. It would be interesting to know which few are remotely reasonable people.

[Unvanguard]

6. Biggert, Cao, Djou, Paul, Ros-Lehtinen (you guessed right)

That said, there are no reasonable Republicans. At least not in Congress. :)

Link: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll317.xml

[pinto]

7. Nice one - two from Congress. Amendment gets passed in Senate Committee and House votes for repeal.

:thumbsup:

:thumbsup:

[JulieKatz]

8. Another DADT Story

While they are serving an unrelated warrant on the wife of a lesbian airman, Rapid City SD police happen to see the couple's Iowa wedding certificate. Feeling "duty bound," they report it to the air force.

http://www.pennlive.com/news/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1275865807109460.xml&coll=1

I hope the ACLU or someone sues their badges off.

[ZombieHorde]

9. Fantastic news. nt