Gates: No Change Soon on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

The Associated Press
March 29, 2009

CBNNews.com - WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert Gates said not to expect changes anytime soon to the "don't ask, don't tell" policy about gays in the military.

Both he and President Barack Obama have "a lot on our plates right now," Gates said.

"Let's push that one down the road a little bit," the defense secretary said Sunday on Fox News Sunday.

White House officials have said that Obama began consultations with Gates and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on how to lift the ban on gays in the military.

According to Gates, dialogue on this subject has not progressed very far at this point in the Obama administration.

The Pentagon policy has been in place since 1993, when former President Bill Clinton tried to lift the ban on homosexuals in the military.

The policy refers to not asking recruits about their sexual orientation.

In turn, members of the U.S. military may not discuss their homosexual orientation, i.e., if they are gay or bisexual, nor may they engage in homosexual activity or marry a member of the same sex.

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It seems odd that Milton Bradley wants kids to openly decide their sexuality at age eight but once they are of adult age we can’t ask or tell. I say, “Do tell!” because if you are defiant in your sexuality you shouldn’t care what others think.

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Here’s a news story heading to small town America, soon.

U.N. Urges Criticism of Religion Ban

Christian World News
March 28, 2009

cwn.org - The U.N.'s top human rights body passed a resolution urging laws banning the criticism of religion.

Pakistan proposed the measure on behalf of all Muslim countries.

The resolution is against the "defamation of religion" in general although the only faith mentioned specifically is Islam.

A coalition of more than 100 secular and faith groups opposed the resolution saying it would have a chilling effect on free speech and would worsen relations between faiths.

I’ve written about my chaplain and I’ve included an article about the ACLU trying to ban chaplains from mentioning Christ when they pray. Whenever you see a story like the next one, you can be sure there’s a tough-as-nails chaplain watching out for loved ones in the military.

Troops Make 'Joyful Noise' in Worship Band

By Mark Martin
CBN News Reporter
March 26, 2009

CBNNews.com - Christian team in Iraq is leading the troops to worship God, and forming a close-knit family of brothers and sisters in Christ.

Hope Chapel is well-named because military men and women are filled with hope in this place of worship on the grounds of Camp Victory in Baghdad.

"I'm able to get into the week with an extra boost of strength and an extra boost of energy, and it just helps me get by day to day when stress hits," SPC Timothy Dippel, 18th Airborne Corps said.

Fire controlman, first class, Daniel Parsons is the worship leader of the praise and worship team called "joyful noise."

"It's exciting to be up there, and singing and worshipping God," he said. "There's been so many times that I've come in, maybe a rough week or something like that, and then I just release it all. There's never been a Sunday that I've walked away unhappy."

Praise Team Member SSG Lani Yearicks said the praise team has helped him grow.

"I love being in the praise group. It's like my family away from home. I've been a member of Joyful Noise for about 10 months now. I joined right after I got here. It's been an awesome experience. I've really grown in the Lord," he said.

Through their worship, the team hopes to point others to a meaningful life in Christ.

"Maybe there's one person out in the congregation that is just coming to Christ," Yearicks said.

The praise team constantly changes as units rotate in and out of Baghdad. But no matter who's taking part, team members say they're all family.

"Without God, without this praise team, it would have been a rough time, and it hasn't been. I've really enjoyed these orders, and I'd do this again in a second," Parsons said.

They know the battle belongs to the Lord and they are giving him the praise he deserves.

From the Beatitudes:
Blessed [are] the peacemakers:
for they shall be called the children of God.