The time is overdue to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the ridiculous policy which President Bill Clinton promised to throw out, but was thwarted from doing so by then- Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia, (then chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee), and other well-intentioned but misguided members of Congress.
According to Col. Daniel Tepfer, USAF (Ret.), in a letter printed in the Dayton (Ohio) Daily News May 1, the military accepts convicted criminals. He says the Army and Marine Corps grant "moral waivers" allowing convicted persons of crimes including drug offenses, theft, sex crimes, and manslaughter to enlist, and such waivers nearly doubled from 2006 to 2007.
Second chances for deserving people are admirable, and it's surely true that military discipline and morale can transform lives. Like Col. Tepfer, I am a retired colonel; and we're both members of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. One of my children is gay. During my active and Reserve Army career - before I knew my son was gay - I thought little about the policy nor whether there were gay persons in my unit or whether they should be allowed to serve. Since learning of my son's sexual orientation, joining PFLAG and educating myself on the issues, I realize how counter-productive the "Don't ask, Don't tell" policy is. I'm certain that the Army Medical Department had and has many closeted gays. We'd have been crippled by their loss had they all "come out" at the same time.
A recent report by the Government Accountability Office indicated that nearly 800 people with skills deemed "mission-critical" by the Pentagon, all of whom desired to continue to serve, had been dismissed under "don't ask, don't tell" - including more than 322 language experts, some of whom were Arabic specialists (scarce and critically needed skills).
A blue-ribbon commission sponsored by the University of California reported that "Don't ask, Don't tell' has cost taxpayers more than $364 million since its implementation.
I say it's worse than folly to recruit and enlist known felons and miscreants and simultaneously kick out soldiers, sailors, and Marines with unblemished military records solely because of their God-given sexual orientations. Clearly, "Don't ask, don't tell" never had a legitimate time, and now surely wiser heads will prevail.
Col. Reuel Hamilton Jr.,
DMD, U.S. Army (Ret.)
Kennesaw
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I have many gay friends and I would trust them as much as my son to honorably fight for America.
The writer neglects to mention that -- whether Bill Clinton promised to 'throw out' the 'Don't Ask -- Don't Tell' policy or not -- Bill Clinton is also the one who signed it into law.
I really liked this letter. I agree. Don't you think "don't ask don't tell" was kind of a bridge to acceptance of gays in the military? In 1992, the American public would not have accepted the policy you espouse, though I agree with you. But maybe they've gotten more progressive about this.
Col. Hamilton is dead wrong about "gay" sexual orientation being "God-given". It is God who said in Rom. 1 that He gave them up to a reprobate mind. God also says in Corinthians that homosexuals (among others) will not be allowed into heaven. I'm glad the Colonel has "educated" himself, but consider the source of his educators. Of course, PFLAG is biased toward gay-friendly indoctrination. Duh! The Colonel would do better getting his "education" in gay affairs from Holy scripture instead.
Reuel, not sure which 'church' you are attending that epsouses this 'God-given orientation' drivel, but I can find nowhere in any versions of the Bible where God ordains same-sex union. That is a man-made combination of sex drive gone wrong and a heaping of arrogance and beligerence toward the God who designed for ONE man and ONE woman. Sorry your son is gay and you had to adjust your belief system to one of acceptance of that lifestyle. If these folks wish to serve in the armed forces, let them. But let them obey the law (of Clinton.) Once in the service you don't belong to yourself anymore. You are government property and agree to play by the rules. Where the felons are concerned, put them on the front line; see how tough they are now. They are expendable.
Barry: You can pick and choose biblical versus to prove or disprove anything...doesn't Paul in Corinthians disapprove of wearing pearls and gold, as well as women preachers? Paul also accepted slavery, or at least did not condemn it. One's sexual orientations are biological..do you remember choosing to be straight? Jesus was sent to show the earth compassion through example, not condemnation. Jesus also was a law breaker, else how could he not enforce/abide by the stoning of the adulter, which was required by Jewish law?, again a show of compassion against others who were into condemnation.