The Hill: Lieberman, Levin Take Lead on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Repeal Bill

[flpoljunkie]

(Interesting, the trade-off here with ROTC in universities where it had been previously barred. Sadly, there's always a trade-off.)

Lieberman, Levin take lead on 'Don't ask, don't tell' repeal bill
By J. Taylor Rushing - 03/07/10 12:11 AM ET

Legislation was launched on Wednesday to repeal the 17-year-old policy that prohibits openly gay men and women from serving in the U.S. military.

A group of six Democratic senators — headed by Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, an independent who caucuses with Democrats — introduced a three-part bill that would immediately repeal the policy, prohibit discrimination against armed service members based on their sexual orientation, and establish Reserve Officer Training Corps units at colleges and universities where they had been barred.

Lieberman joined Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Roland Burris (D-Ill.) in announcing the policy in the Armed Services Committee Hearing Room in the Russell Senate Office Building. The crowded press conference was punctuated by several former members of the military who told tales of harassment before their discharges, as well as five other gay men and women who stood off to the side wearing T-shirts that said, ‘Fired Under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’

Lieberman and Levin are taking the lead on the legislation, following President Barack Obama’s vow during his State of the Union address in January to repeal the policy. Lieberman and Levin also both emphasized the “ground-breaking” testimony last month of Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen and Defense Secretary Robert Gates before the Armed Services Committee, during which both men backed repeal of the policy. Gates said the military is currently conducting a review of the policy, which should be complete by year’s end.

more...

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/85309-lieberman-levin-take-lead-on-dont-ask-dont-tell-repeal-bill

[still_one]

1. All I can say is fuck lieberman because he fucked me and the rest of the country with HCR

The SOB not only worked to defeat the Democrats in 2008, he has worked against HCR and financial reform

Of course the Democrats have no problem letting him keep his chairmanships, and giving him status by presenting legislation to make him look good.