(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.