Lott Sides with Flinn

WASHINGTON: 1st Lt. Kelly Flinns hopes of receiving an honorable discharge improved dramatically as Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott said the Pentagon has been unfair in its treatment of her. After meeting with President Clinton at the White House, Lott said Flinn was being abused and that he plans on taking up the dispute with Defense Secretary William Cohen. He went on to bash the Pentagon as badly out of touch with reality and suggested that Flinn's potential punishment does not suit her crime. The statement came as Flinn awaited her court-martial at Minot Air Force Base, N.D. Lotts pledge to intervene may explain why the Air Force unexpectedly delayed the start of the proceeding Tuesday morning. As the Senate's top Republican, he could make life exceedingly difficult for the service.