Obama responds to lesbian soldier's letter

[ccharles000]

http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=21121

President Barack Obama sent a hand-written note in response to a Chicago-area lesbian's plea for him to change the military's ban on openly gay and lesbian servicemembers. She sent her letter to Obama just six days after his inauguration, and it was published in the Feb. 11 Windy City Times as a cover story. 2nd Lt. Sandy Tsao

Tsao said she is “very hopeful” after receiving the letter May 5. “I believe he is a man of his word. … My heart is bounding with joy.” The timing is bittersweet: Tsao's last day in the service will be May 19, 2009.

Obama's note reads: “Thanks for your wonderful and thoughtful letter. It is because of outstanding Americans like you that I committed to changing our current policy. Although it will take some time to complete ( partly because it needs Congressional action ) I intend to fulfill my commitment!” It is signed Barack Obama. Windy City Times has contacted the White House but has not had word back confirming the letter's veracity.

In her Jan. 26 letter to President Barack Obama, 2nd Lt. Sandy Tsao, 24, came out as a lesbian in the U.S. Army. The former resident of Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood wrote a fellow former South Sider in his new White House home to tell him she could no longer serve her country because she is a lesbian.

[ZombieHorde]

1. "I committed to changing our current policy. Although it will take some time"

OK, that is what I wanted to hear. K&R

eta: Looks like I am getting one of my ponies.

[pinto]

2. Good to hear this -

“Thanks for your wonderful and thoughtful letter. It is because of outstanding Americans like you that I committed to changing our current policy. Although it will take some time to complete ( partly because it needs Congressional action ) I intend to fulfill my commitment!”

[Hekate]

3. That news made me so happy when I heard it (on Rachel? I think so)....

The commitment that President Obama made in the campaign and reiterates in this very, very personal letter to Lt. Tsao will make a huge difference for the better to the entire military.

I didn't realize that it was going to take a literal Act of Congress to undo DADT; the model I had in my mind was the original racial integration of the US military, which I believe was done by the President. Therefore our work is to work on our congresscritters.

Hekate

[Clio the Leo]

5. Oh, did Rachel mention it?

I emailed her about it to make sure the show know about after they did the stories on Mr. Choi last week. Glad to know that THEY know about it, regardless of how they found out.

[Hekate]

6. I saw both Choi and Tsao on the teevee news &since about the only ones I watch are Keith & Rachel...

... it had to be one or both of them. :thumbsup:

Hekate

[ccharles000]

4. kick

[hulklogan]

7. As long as the President continues to be all talk and no action on this issue

I can't get excited about this note.