''One of the things we're looking at is, is there flexibility in how we apply this law?... That's the kind of thing we're looking at to see if there's at least a more humane way to apply the law until the law gets changed.''

Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, who discussing the silly assertion that the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy might have some wiggle room in cases where a servicemember was outed for vindictive reasons rather than voluntarily coming out as gay. (Associated Press)

"The military has no choice but to follow it. We don't pick and choose what regulations to enforce."

Lieutenant Colonel Paul Fanning, spokesman for the New York Army National Guard, on the recommendation of a military administrative board to discharge Lieutenant Dan Choi who came out publicly as gay on the Rachel Maddow show earlier this year. (Associated Press)

''All I did was tell the truth. I refused to lie about my boyfriend. His name is Matthew, not Martha.''

Lieutenant Dan Choi of the Army National Guard and an organization of gay West Point graduates called Knights Out. He faces a discharge for coming out publicly as a proud, gay soldier taking a stand against the Armed Forces' anti-gay military policy known as ''Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'' (Times Herald-Record)