As the Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) exacerbates the abhorrent maneuver of tacking a repeal of 1993 law banning homosexuals in the military onto the annual defense authorization bill, a review of last week's court ruling exemplifies an activist judge functioning as a mouthpiece of President Obama.
UPDATE 9/16/10: Homosexualists on Warpath, Lobby Congress Intensely
-- From "Senate to debate gays in military" by Meredith Shiner, Politico 9/13/10
Reid spokesman Jim Manley confirmed to POLITICO that the majority leader has decided to move on the legislation – which sets the annual military budget and policies — as soon as the Senate wraps its work on a small business bill. This year's authorization bill, however, also has become a vehicle to begin to roll back the controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy implemented during the Clinton administration.
The Department of Defense is already moving toward a repeal of the controversial measure, with Secretary Robert Gates publicly supporting eventual changes, but is awaiting the completion of study on how altering the policy would affect troop morale. The pending authorization bill would give the Department of Defense the authority to act on those findings.
"It's obviously going to be a controversial part of this debate," Manley said.
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From "'Don't ask, don't tell' policy facing a Senate vote next week" by Ed O'Keefe, Washington Post 9/13/10
Aides to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) confirmed Monday that a vote will occur next week. Potential differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill would still have to be hammered out, so final passage and a presidential signature still appear distant.
Gay rights groups are mounting an aggressive lobbying effort this week, urging supporters of the repeal (including Lady Gaga) to phone senators to urge them to vote for the military bill.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Judge Cites Obama in Overturning ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’" by Matt Cover, CNSNews.com 9/13/10
Judge Virginia Phillips ruled on Sept. 9 that the DADT policy, codified in 10 U.S.C. ss. 654, which states, “The prohibition against homosexual conduct is a long-standing element of military law that continues to be necessary in the unique circumstances of military service,” is unconstitutional, violating both the First and Fifth amendments.
In making her ruling, Judge Phillips cited President Obama’s June 29, 2009 address to a gathering of gay activists and government officials, singling out the president’s contradiction of the long-time position of U.S. military officials that homosexual conduct could damage military effectiveness.
Judge Phillips noted . . . “President Obama, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, stated on June 29, 2009: ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell doesn't contribute to our national security…preventing patriotic Americans from serving their country weakens our national security…[R]eversing this policy [is] the right thing to do [and] is essential for our national security.’”
Obama also stated unequivocally that changing the policy requires an act of Congress, not a mere judicial ruling.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Ruling Could Speed Demise of Military's Gay Ban" by Evan Perez, Wall Street Journal 9/10/10
[The judge] said she would issue an injunction in coming weeks.
Any injunction is likely to be appealed by the Justice Department, which said Friday it was reviewing the ruling in U.S. District Court in Riverside, Calif.
The White House brokered a deal with congressional leaders earlier this year to repeal the law. The House passed the measure, which would take effect after the Pentagon completes its review. The Senate hasn't taken up the issue, which is part of the larger defense-spending bill.
"This is another example of activist judges usurping the role of the people and their elected officials. This should be a decision for Congress and the president, not appointed un-elected judges, after Congress and the president receive the Pentagon report on this issue," Ms. Buchanan [spokeswoman for Sen. McCain], said.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Of course the Democrats need to service their base, but what will the rest of America think?
