Judge: Witt Should Be Allowed Back Into Air Force

[Ian David]

Source: KIRO-TV

Posted: 1:26 pm PDT September 24, 2010Updated: 2:04 pm PDT September 24, 2010

Federal district court judge Ronald Leighton has ruled that 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' -- when applied to Major Margaret Witt -- violated her rights. He says she should be allowed back in Air Force.

Read more: http://www.kirotv.com/news/25149009/detail.html

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Hat-tip to: http://twitter.com/#!/VictoryFund/status/25438909296

See also:

Tacoma: Judge rules lesbian nurse should be reinstated in Air Force

Margaret Witt has won her legal battle with the Air Force. The military was not justified in firing the lesbian flight nurse for homosexual conduct, U.S. District Court Judge Ronald B. Leighton ruled today at the federal courthouse in Tacoma.

Leighton's decision in the closely watched case throws the government's "don't ask, don't" tell policy into even more uncertainty.

Witt was fired for her homosexual conduct in 2004 after 18 years. The highly-decorated flight nurse challenged her dismissal, arguing it infringed on her constitutional rights.

Attorneys for the Air Force argued during the trail that all regulations in the military - including those involving homosexuality - must be enforced uniformly to maintain order and morale.

More: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/09/24/1354926/judge-rules-for-against-lesbian.html#storylink=twt#ixzz10U4MrIa6

[Solly Mack]

1. K&R

[xchrom]

2. Lgbtiq people getting their own victories, thank you very much. Nt

[jobycom]

3. I regret that I have but one R to give for this thread! nt

[foxfeet]

4. K&R

And thanks to Major Witt for fighting the good fight.

[Historic NY]

5. The time has come to stop getting rid of our best people for whom they love.

[Romulox]

6. The right thing to do. k/r. nt

[cal04]

7. Statement from SU's Alex Nicholson:

http://gay.americablog.com/2010/09/breaking-margaret-witt-won-her-dadt.html

"Yet another judge has taken yet another righteous, historic, and courageous stand against a discriminatory and unconstitutional law. Major Witt's case is a clear-cut one in which her discharge itself actually harmed unit cohesion, morale, and combat readiness."

Victory in Maj. Margaret Witt’s DADT Case
http://servicemembersunited.org/?p=3084

[Little Star]

8. k&r!!!!

[Dappleganger]

9. K&R

[bluestateguy]

10. Judge is a George W. Bush appointee

nt

[Tx4obama]

13. How about that! Link to his bio below....

Ronald B. Leighton bio:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_B._Leighton

and that other judge, Vaughn R. Walker, that ruled in the CA Prop8 case is a Bush appointee too.
Even a broken clock is correct twice a day :)

[Tx4obama]

11. HuffPo Front Page Top Headline! AP article via Huffington Post link below

Margaret Witt, Air Force Major Discharged Under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' Ordered Reinstated
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/24/margaret-witt-reinstated-dont-ask-dont-tell_n_737656.html

p.s. WOW. That's in Washington state - at first I thought it was the case out there in California!

[ruggerson]

12. the grassroots are forcing the government's hand

This thing is going to crumble DESPITE the cowards in DC.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

14. Federal Judge Orders Air Force to Reinstate Lesbian Nurse

Source: Courthouse News Service

(CN) - A federal judge on Friday ordered the Air Force to reinstate an openly gay flight nurse terminated under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the military. "The reinstatement of Maj. Margaret Witt will not erode the proficiency of the United States military," U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Leighton wrote.




Read more: http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/09/24/30574.htm

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This is great news!

[Newsjock]

15. Waiting for the administration to appeal the ruling

In 5, 4, 3 ...

[GoddessOfGuinness]

16. I hope you're wrong...

I'm convinced that most people want to put an end to this stupid DADT policy.

[Newsjock]

17. I hope I'm wrong, too

I'm getting tired of being right.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

18. This seriously needs a celebratory kick!

:kick:

[DeSwiss]

19. K&R n/t

[OmahaBlueDog]

20. Judge orders lesbian reinstated to Air Force

Source: AP via Yahoo News

TACOMA, Wash. – A federal judge ruled Friday that a decorated flight nurse discharged from the Air Force for being gay should be given her job back as soon as possible in the latest legal setback to the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton came in a closely watched case as a tense debate has been playing out over the policy. Senate Republicans blocked an effort to lift the ban this week, but Leighton is now the second federal judge this month to deem the policy unconstitutional.

Maj. Margaret Witt was suspended in 2004 and subsequently discharged under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy after the Air Force learned she had been in a long-term relationship with a civilian woman. She sued to get her job back.

Leighton hailed her as a "central figure in a long-term, highly charged civil rights movement." Tears streaked down Witt's cheeks and she hugged her parents, her partner and supporters following the ruling.


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_gays_in_military

[Rosa Luxemburg]

21. At last, well done!

[Omaha Steve]

22. Federal judge in Washington state orders lesbian flight nurse reinstated to Air Force

Source: AP

TACOMA, Wash. (AP)

A federal judge ruled Friday that a decorated flight nurse discharged from the Air Force for being gay should be given her job back as soon as possible in the latest legal setback to the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton came in a closely watched case as a tense debate has been playing out over the policy. Senate Republicans blocked an effort to lift the ban this week, but Leighton is now the second federal judge this month to deem the policy unconstitutional.

Maj. Margaret Witt was suspended in 2004 and subsequently discharged under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy after the Air Force learned she had been in a long-term relationship with a civilian woman. She sued to get her job back.
Click here to find out more!

Leighton hailed her as a "central figure in a long-term, highly charged civil rights movement." Tears streaked down Witt's cheeks and she hugged her parents, her partner and supporters following the ruling.


Read more: http://ww2.cox.com/myconnection/omaha/today/news/national/article.cox?articleId=D9IEMOSG0&moduleType=apNews

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Margaret Witt talks to reporters at the federal courthouse in Tacoma, Wash., Friday, Sept. 24, 2010. A federal judge ruled Friday that Witt, a flight nurse discharged from the Air Force for being gay, should be given her job back as soon as possible. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)


Darn liberal activist judges. :-)

[madrchsod]

23. who was appointed by little georgie bush.......