Republican candidates in the 8th Congressional District made candid comments about gays during a recent Tea Party forum that included discussion about the military's "don't ask don't tell" policy.

Physicians Ron Kirkland of Jackson and George Flinn of Memphis were among the candidates Thursday night who talked largely about how they're against the Obama administration and its policies, according to The Jackson Sun.

The candidates criticized the administration for wanting to overturn the gay policy, which prevents gays from serving openly in the military. President Barack Obama has called on Congress to lift the ban, and military officials are examining how to do that.

The candidates said ending the policy is "political correctness" that adds an unnecessary stress on the military.

Kirkland, a Vietnam veteran, said of his time in the military: "I can tell you if there were any homosexuals in that group, they were taken care of in ways I can't describe to you."

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HONOLULU (AP) — Whether same-sex civil unions become legal in Hawaii is now up to Gov. Linda Lingle, whose office has been flooded with telephone calls and e-mail messages from gay rights and religious groups after the bill won approval in the waning moments of the legislative session.

Ms. Lingle, a Republican, has long avoided saying whether she would veto the measure or allow it to become law. She has until July 6 to make a decision.

The bill was unexpectedly revived and cleared the Legislature on Thursday, the last day of this year’s session.

Religious groups do not plan the kind of large opposition rallies seen previously at the Hawaii Capitol. Instead, they will lobby Ms. Lingle directly with personal messages.

“She’s kept it very close to the vest,” said Dennis Arakaki, executive director of the Hawaii Family Forum and Hawaii Catholic Conference. “She won’t let us know how she feels about it. Now we’ll know.”

Mr. Arakaki is sending e-mail messages to churches and text messages to supporters urging them to contact the governor’s office to let her know how they feel about the issue.

Supporters of the bill will send handwritten letters and postcards to the governor in addition to e-mail messages and phone calls asking her to approve the legislation, said Tony Wagner, the western regional field director for the Human Rights Campaign.

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Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a likely Republican presidential hopeful in 2012, has signed on with evangelical literary agent Alive Communications and evangelical publisher Tyndale House Publishing to write his memoir. The book doesn’t yet have a title, but according to a press release from Alive Communications it will chronicle Pawlenty’s rise from the “gritty streets of South Saint Paul” to the governor’s mansion.

“Multiple publishers were interested in acquiring Gov. Pawlenty’s book because it’s a great American success story of a leader who rose from the gritty streets of South Saint Paul to the highest office in his home state,” said Rick Christian of Alive Communications. “Tim Pawlenty will also share his unique perspective on our times, while taking readers back to values solidified during the Reagan-era foundation of his career in public service.”

Alive Communications is an evangelical literary agency headquartered in Colorado Springs. They are the agent for Sarah Palin and her recent book “Going Rogue.” They also represent religious right leaders such as Billy Graham, Tim LaHaye of the apocalyptic “Left Behind” series and works by the Promise Keepers.

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Brett Edward Stout at the
May 2, 2010 Don't Ask Don't Tell
protest rally in Washington DC.
Photo: Allyson Robinson

Brett Edward Stout, ACCESSline contributor and Marine Corps Veteran, spoke with other members of the US Military at today's Washington DC rally protesting the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

The prepared text of his speech follows: