(no subject)

[heidi]

Generally, I think my congresswoman is an utter git and an idiot. But sometimes, she does things like this

At odds with her party's leadership, Republican Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Miami is urging the Pentagon to allow gay men and lesbians to serve in the military -- a direct challenge to ``don't ask, don't tell.''

''We've tried the policy. I don't think it works. And we've spent a lot of money enforcing it,'' said Ros-Lehtinen, a member of the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations, who Tuesday co-sponsored a bill allowing gays to serve.

''We investigate people. Bring them up on charges. Basically wreck their lives,'' she told The Herald. ``People who've signed up to serve our country. We should be thanking them.''

Although her support won't change the law overnight, it represents a dramatic break with GOP leadership over a hot-button issue that has split both parties and the nation.

Ros-Lehtinen (with House Republicans Christopher Shays of Connecticut and Jim Kolbe of Arizona) joins 70 Democrats in support of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, introduced last month by Rep. Marty Meehan, D-Mass., to repeal the longtime gay ban.

''Don't ask, don't tell'' became law 12 years ago, a compromise after President Bill Clinton sought to relax military policy and allow gays to serve openly. The law, which easily passed in both the House and Senate, prohibits commanders and investigators from prying into service member's sex lives, but calls for military discharge if someone in the armed service acknowledges he or she is gay.

''It doesn't make any sense,'' Ros-Lehtinen said. ``There's no scientific evidence that sexual orientation has an effect on the ability to perform as a military officer or a buck private.''

and I have to give her props. So tonight, I do. Good show, Ileana, and good luck.

Comments

Wow

[in-a-tizzy.livejournal.com]

She said it but most importantly she said it well. Now if only they'd listen.

[shezan.livejournal.com]

Yayyy! My kind of conservative!

[aidenfire]

Whoo hoo!

[shelaghc.livejournal.com]

She did say it well. One would hope this isn't just posturing to make sure she's re-elected and that she'll follow through when the time comes.

I'm reminded of an elected official just a few months ago who constantly sponsored pro-gay legislation because he said his constituents wanted it. But when the time came for voting he always voted against his own legislation because he disagreed with it.

But he could always say that he sponsored it during campaign season.

[cleverthylacine]

She's endorsed by Log Cabin Republicans--I really think she means it.

[selinakyle47.livejournal.com]

Is she up for re-election?

In any case, I hope the bill manages to stay alive.

[anna-in-the-sky.livejournal.com]

I don't mean to be too cynical- or heck, maybe I do- but this wouldn't any by chance have anything to do with the fact that ever since the Iraq war, the army is missing one third of the necessary recruits? I can't help but wonder if this is not simply another effort to recruit more soldiers.