Two judges of a three-judge panel at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted the U.S. government's request for a stay while it challenges the trial court's ruling that the ban on openly gay service members is unconstitutional.

Circuit Court Judges Stephen S. Trott and Diarmuid E. O’Scannlain wrote:  “The public interest in enduring orderly change of this magnitude in the military -- if that is what is to happen -- strongly militates in favor of a stay. Furthermore, if the administration is successful in persuading Congress to eliminate (the policy), this case and controversy will become moot."

This ruling highlights the importance of who appoints judges to our federal courts.  And it is also important for us to let them know we appreciate the principles by which they rule.

President Ronald Reagan appointed Circuit Court Judge Diarmuid F. O'Scannlain from Portland on September 26, 1986.

President Ronald Reagan appointed Circuit Court Judge Stephen S. Trott from Boise on March 25, 1988.

On the other hand, President Bill Clinton appointed Circuit Court Judge William A. Fletcher from San Francisco on October 9, 1998.  Judge Fletcher voted against granting the stay.

Florida Family Association had prepared an email for supporters to send thanking Judges Trott and O’Scannlain for ruling to allow don’t ask don’t tell to remain in force.

However, Florida Family Association has discontinued this email at the request of the court.  They called to express their deep appreciation for all of the emails but needed to get their work done so they asked us to remove the action email from this issue.