Morning Reading, Jan. 29: Haiti, gay teachers, Guam and DADT
Published: January 29, 2010
Spending time with the U.S. soldiers dispatched to Haiti on a mission of mercy, Stars and Stripes reporter Megan McCloskey couldn't help but notice the odd reactions that the mission brought. Trained to fight and kill, soldiers found themselves in a place that looks very much like a warzone. But instead of hunting terrorists, they are delivering food and medicine. Some soldiers welcome the change. Some would rather be fighting.
In the Pacific, Travis Tritten follows up on a story he broke last week stating that the DOD Education Activity would recognize same-sex relationships when approving dual transfers for teachers. The news today is that the DOD, perhaps having second thoughts, is now reviewing the recently adopted policy.
And Teri Weaver reports that Guam's governor has sent a letter to the secretary of the Navy asking that plans for a massive military buildup on his island be slowed down. The military is meeting with several obstacles to the Pacific realignment effort, including continued political disputes in Japan over how to relocate an existing Marine Corps air station on Okinawa.
Also, in D.C., Leo Shane breaks down reaction to the president's mention of "don't ask, don't tell" in the State of the Union and tells us that DOD officials will be on the hill next week to present a plan for eventually overturning the controversial policy.
The Links:
Trained for war, troops finding a different mission in Haiti (Stars and Stripes)
DOD reviewing policy to recognize gay parterships in teacher transfers (Stars and Stripes)
Guam governor asks U.S. to delay military buildup (Stars and Stripes)
Awaiting clarity after Obama's call to end 'dont' ask, don't tell' (Stars and Stripes)
Army's suicide 'crisis' leads to action (USA Today)
GIs in Haiti there to help, but finding it hard (The Washington Post)
Lack of crowd control hampers aid to quake victims (The Washington Post)
Obama faces dwindling options in effort to close Gitmo (The Washington Post)
