In Historic Vote, Senate Moves To End 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' -- Christian Science Monitor
Eight Republicans joined Democrats to vote for an end to the 1993 'don't ask, don't tell' law banning gay troops from serving openly. Proponents compare it to ending racial segregation in the military.
The Senate Saturday voted to end a longstanding ban on gay troops serving openly in the US armed services – a move Democrats compare to President Truman’s ending the ban on racial segregation in the military in 1948.
“It is time to close this chapter in our history,” said President Obama in a statement. “It is time to recognize that sacrifice, valor and integrity are no more defined by sexual orientation than they are by race or gender, religion or creed. It is time to allow gay and lesbian Americans to serve their country openly.”
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More News On Today's Vote To Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
Obama to sign law ending military gay ban -- Yahoo News/AP
Congress repeals ban against gays in military -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Obama to sign end to military gay ban -- Yahoo News/AFP
Gays celebrate repeal of 'don't ask, don't tell' -- AP
Senate votes to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell" -- Washington Post
Troops at home, abroad watch vote on 'don't ask' ban -- Washington Post
Senate Repeals ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ -- New York Times
US Congress Repeals Ban on Gays in Military -- Voice of America
US Senate votes to allow openly gay soldiers in military -- The Guardian
Senate votes to repeal 'don't ask, don't tell' -- L.A. Times
Senate Passes Bill to Lift Military Gay Ban -- Wall Street Journal
Congress Passes "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repeal -- CBS News
Pentagon: Lifting gay ban to take time -- Washington Post
Andrew Aylward: "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" vote breakdown -- San Francisco Chronicle
My Comment: I did not expect this lame-duck Senate to vote this way. Changing the culture of the military in the middle of a war is not what I would have spent my time on .... but this U.S. Senate had different ideas. What will be the impact of this vote .... only time will tell what will be the implications of this change (if any). I suspect that there may be problems in places like isolated FOBs and other "front line" positions .... but then again ..... a part of me also tells me that maybe nothing will happen at all.
Hmmm .... only time will tell.