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Ballot dropbox ban a barrier in SD primary; former President Donald Trump says jail threat won't stop him from violating gag order; EBT 'skimming' on the rise, more Ohioans turn to food banks; new maps show progress on NY lead service line replacement.

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Hamas accepts a ceasefire deal amid warnings of a ground attack on Rafah by Israel, some faculty members defend protesters as colleges cancel graduation ceremonies, and Bernie Sanders announces his re-election run.

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Bidding begins soon for Wyoming's elk antlers, Southeastern states gained population in the past year, small rural energy projects are losing out to bigger proposals, and a rural arts cooperative is filling the gap for schools in Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

GLBT Community Responds to Obama's Pledge on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

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Thursday, January 28, 2010   

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Some civil rights activists are applauding President Obama's State of the Union pledge to work toward repealing the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy that prohibits gay soldiers, sailors, air-men and -women from revealing their sexual orientation and remaining in the military.

Heather Draper, communications and marketing manager for the GLBT Community Center of Colorado, says the policy is not only discriminatory and unjust, it's also a burden on the military and taxpayers.

"American taxpayers spend more than $30 million each year to train replacements for gay troops who are discharged under Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

Draper says many Americans have been directly affected by Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

"It forces them either to live in the closet, or they don't feel safe. Hopefully, the repeal of this will allow them to serve proudly and safely."

24 foreign militaries, including Israel, Canada and Great Britain, have lifted their own bans on gay troops without any difficulty, she adds. Proponents of the rule say it is important for the day-to-day functioning of the military, but several officers, including a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have spoken out against the policy. A repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell is expected to be included in the defense appropriation bill for the 2011 fiscal year.



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