'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Repealed

Well, it's about time! Senator Reid can now return Lt. Dan Choi's Ring.

Me = Stunned.  Surprised. Somber.

Now, Mr. President, do what you promised to do and make this nightmare end forever. I hope this begins to heal those like Dan Choi and all the others who've been mistreated for almost 2 decades. Their lives will never be what they were once promised and that is the tragic part of all this. NYT this afternoon:

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Saturday struck down the ban on gay men and lesbians serving openly in the military, bringing to a close a 17-year struggle over a policy that forced thousands of Americans from the ranks and caused others to keep secret their sexual orientation.
By a vote of 65 to 31, with eight Republicans joining Democrats, the Senate approved and sent to President Obama a repeal of the Clinton-era law, known as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” a policy critics said amounted to government-sanctioned discrimination that treated gay and lesbian troops as second-class citizens.
Mr. Obama hailed the action, which fulfills his pledge to reverse the ban. “As commander in chief, I am also absolutely convinced that making this change will only underscore the professionalism of our troops as the best led and best trained fighting force the world has ever known,” Mr. Obama said in a statement after the Senate, on a 63-33 vote, beat back Republican efforts to block a final vote on the repeal bill.
The vote marked a historic moment that some equated with the end of racial segregation in the military.
It followed a comprehensive review by the Pentagon that found a low risk to military effectiveness despite greater concerns among some combat units and the Marine Corps. The review also found that Pentagon officials supported Congressional repeal as a better alternative than an court-ordered end. 

A shot of Jameson's was administered by the GM this afternoon (to soothe a sore throat, of course) then I arrive home to this great news. G*d knows we need some positive news these days. I look forward to a restful sleep tonight and feeling better in the morning.

And so it goes.
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