At the same time the Obama administration is taking some initial steps toward dismantling the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, the Justice Department is continuing to vigorously defend the policy in federal court, angering gay activists in the process. The latest point of friction with gay advocates is a brief filed Monday night in federal court in California that repeatedly quotes from retired Gen. Colin Powell’s statements nearly two decades ago in favor of the gays-in-the-military ban without noting that Powell has since reversed himself on the issue.

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