You know me by now. I find that Letters to the Editor generally depict the unvarnished views of “regular” Americans, and I often use them support a particular point of view. Of course, these same letters can also express points of view that I do not agree with. I am sure that those who oppose my views can and will use those in order to support their views.
Anyway, in the debate to eliminate discrimination in our armed forces based on sexual orientation, those who would like to retain policies such as “Don’t ask, Don’t tell,” or would even like to totally bar gay and lesbian Americans from serving their country, often cite “the facts” that our “straight” members of the military passionately support such discriminatory policies.
They conveniently ignore the fact that attitudes toward accepting gays in the military have dramatically evolved—just as attitudes towards gays have evolved in society as a whole. For example, “a 2006 Zogby International poll found 73 percent of military personnel were comfortable with the idea of serving with gays and lesbians. About one in four U. S. troops who served in Afghanistan or Iraq told Zogby pollsters they knew a member of their unit who was gay,” according to Clarence Page in the Chicago Tribune.
Also, according to the Tribune, “A group of 28 retired generals and admirals, including retired Army Gen. John Shalikashvili, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, issued a letter in 2007 calling on Congress to repeal the don’t ask, don’t tell act.”
Very recently, U.S. Air Force Colonel Om Prakash won the 2009 Secretary of Defense National Security Essay Competition with a National War College study highly critical of the “Dont ask, Don’t tell” policy.
There are numerous other indicators that the tide is turning, or has turned.
But back to the Letters to the Editor.
Here is a letter in this morning’s Washington Post from a Navy man that, in my opinion, speaks volumes.
Friday, October 16, 2009
In 1989, as commanding officer of a Navy carrier-based squadron, I used my authority to block attempts by my executive officer to demean and prosecute a man because he thought the sailor was gay. I would not allow such harassment.
The sailor in question had an outstanding performance record and was serving his country with honor. What possible difference did it make whom he loved?
It’s time for the people of this country to show some courage in the face of the bigots who would shame, condemn, abuse or demean gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens.
As Americans, we are all pledged to uphold the Constitution of the United States. Accordingly we are legally and morally bound to enact legislation that ensures the law shall be applied equally to all of us, regardless of our differences and especially if those differences incite prejudice in others.
Anything less is gay-bashing. I hope the citizens of this country do not continue to dishonor my military service by continuing to permit gay-bashing.
ROBERT J. McNAMARA
Hilliard, Ohio
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.