Repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” ban on gays in the military
(AP—Star Tribune)
After seventeen years, the United States military’s “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy may be repealed. On Tuesday, the Pentagon announced an 11-month review of the policy banning openly gay individuals from serving in the military.
President Barack Obama has pledged to work toward lifting the policy, which was introduced in 1993 as a compromise that let gay men and women serve as long as they were not open about their sexuality. While an act of Congress is needed to repeal the ban completely, the policy is under review and the effects of removing it completely are being studied.
In the meantime, Defense Secretary Robert Gates has announced plans to loosen the policy’s enforcement rules.
Protecting Haiti’s Children from Illegal Adoptions
(BBC News)
Over the past few weeks, child welfare organizations have been overwhelmed by offers from United States families willing to adopt orphaned Haitian children, and in the confusion, children are being taken out of the country illegally by independent groups.
The actions of groups like the New Life Children’s Refuge are worrying for a nation historically troubled by child trafficking.
“In these kind of situations, there are all types of charities and church groups with good intentions…but it doesn’t help an already messy situation," said Richard Danziger, head of counter-trafficking at the International Office of Migration.
Danziger added that in addition to being illegal, these actions take advantage of people in a bad situation.
The Haitian government has also made its position clear with a statement from Social Affairs Minister Yves Christallin: “This is abduction, not adoption.”
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