The president, the defense secretary, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Pentagon’s top leaders favor repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. As this week’s release of a 10-month survey revealed, more than two-thirds of U.S. troops have said they do not object to gays and lesbians serving openly in the military. A federal judge has ordered the Pentagon to stop enforcing the policy, calling it unconstitutional. Americans largely have made up their minds, too. Recent surveys indicate that between 58 and 70 percent of Americans believe it’s time for “don’t ask, don’t tell” to go. Plus, the United States is conducting two overseas military campaigns. It cannot afford to continue a discriminatory policy that has forced the discharge of thousands of troops with valuable skills. Enough. As we argued in our editorial today, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., should bring “don’t ask, don’t tell” to another Senate vote without further delay, and Republicans should help shape the way the policy meets its end.
After Rep. Todd Tiahrt (in photo), R-Goddard, finishes his last term in Congress in January, he may fill the Republican National Committee member position being vacated by his successor, Rep.-elect Mike Pompeo, R-Wichita. Tiahrt said he was asked to run for the national committee spot, which will be filled in late January at the Kansas GOP’s annual Kansas Day festivities. He wants to ensure that Kansas tea partiers have a say in GOP politics. “I just want to make sure that when it comes to new ideas, the Republican Party doesn’t become the party of old, stodgy ideas, and that we are very receptive to this new movement and the ideas they bring,” Tiahrt 
Kansas tax revenue collections in November came in just slightly below estimates, Follow us
