he's already on his way back to kabul. now back to "hardball." welcome back to "hardball." welcome back to "hardball." a new era in the american military began at 12:01 this morning when the pentagon stopped enforcing the don't ask, don't tell law, which said gays and lesbians could serve only if they did not reveal their sexual orientation. well, president obama issued a statement this morning that read in part, quote, as of today, patriotic americans in uniform will no longer have to lie about who they are in order to serve the country they love. as of today, our armed forces will no longer lose the extraordinary skills and combat experience of so many gay and lesbian service members. and today, as commander in chief, i want those who were discharged under this law to know that your country deeply values your service. stacy vasquez was an army