TheDay (CT): It's time, Mr. Obama, to act decisively and end don't ask, don't tell.

[Bluebear]

The continuing saga of Bronwen Tomb, who was expelled from the Coast Guard Academy in 2006 for violating the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, reinforces the need for long-promised changes in how the armed forces treat gays and lesbians.

During last year's campaign, candidate Barack Obama promised that if elected he would push to repeal the policy that allows gays and lesbians to serve in the military as long as they don't disclose their sexual orientation or act on it. This policy, though seemingly well-intentioned as anti-discriminatory when established by President Bill Clinton in 1993, has nonetheless resulted in more than 13,000 military discharges.

Now that he is in office, President Obama appears to be dragging his heels...We realize Mr. Obama has a complex agenda, especially with regard to the military, now fighting two wars. And we appreciate his preference to research issues thoroughly before acting.

But sometimes this tendency has led to accusations of dithering. It's time, Mr. Obama, to act decisively and end don't ask, don't tell.

http://www.theday.com/article/20091231/OP01/312319354

[Captain Hilts]

1. The Day is the unofficial newspaper of the US submarine force

In the sub force you shower by yourself and pee by yourself. Seems civilized to me.

[Stinky The Clown]

2. That's Sparkly's former hometown paper. This is in an area with strong military presence.

The Coast Guard Academy is there. The Navy base. Electric Boat (not actually military, but so close it may as well be.)

Good for them for this editorial.

K&R

[Captain Hilts]

7. I was pleased to see it too. Remember when a transexual ran for head of New London's

of the local Legion post?

Three cheers for us Groton Girls! I lived in 'Capehart' on Mallard drive and Lower Pelican.

[Stinky The Clown]

8. Was that right on the base?

Sparkly lived on the Conn College campus

[Captain Hilts]

9. It was actually the New London side in New London. This was about 30 years ago

I think it was on 60 minutes or something.

[Sparkly]

11. Hey!

Did you go to Fitch?

I don't know anything about the transexual who ran to head the American Legion, but wow -- that and this editorial made me think how cool it'd be if New London became Connecticut's own Provincetown!! (Not gonna hold my breath.)

I went to NLHS, and it was completely about vocational training for Electric Boat/General Dynamics... Telling the guidance counselors you were interested in going to college was met with blank stares and "Well, good luck to you."

Do you ever get back to the area?

[Captain Hilts]

12. My sister and brother went to Fitch. I went to Pleasant "Prison" Valley and

Charles Barnum.

I have gone back a couple of times...

[JerseygirlCT]

3. Good for them.

I think he ought to have done this right away - while the glow from the inauguration was still fresh. They righties would have screamed and yelled, but most wouldn't have paid much heed. (Except the people who support equal rights - who would have cheered).

[Thickasabrick]

4. K&R

[Bluebear]

5. tu

[blondeatlast]

6. I could not agree more. k/r

[walldude]

10. K&R

This has to be the stupidest policy in history. Basically it says, "We are going to start a war, but we aren't going to fight it, we want you to do that for us, but only if you are not gay." Sorry but if you are going to start or continue a war, that you are NOT GOING TO FIGHT YOURSELF then you have lost any fucking rights to decide who can fight in your place. They take fucking convicted felons but not gays? Insanity.

And don't be coming in here with this "You just hate Obama" crap, he's wrong about this, and there is no room for debate.