Judge Rules ‘Don’t Ask/Tell’ Illegal

A federal judge in Riverside on Thursday declared the U.S. military’s ban on openly gay service members unconstitutional, saying the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy violates the First Amendment and due process rights of lesbians and gay men. U.S. District Judge Virginia A. Phillips said the policy did not preserve military readiness, contrary to what Justice Department attorneys and many supporters have argued, saying evidence shows that the policy in fact had a “direct and deleterious effect” on the armed services. Phillips said she would issue an injunction barring the government from enforcing the policy /Los Angeles Times . More here . (AP file photo)

Question: Is it time for ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ to go?