In a New York Times op-ed today, General John M. Shalikashvili (ret.) wrote a well-reasoned article about rethinking the U.S. policy of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" in regard to gays serving in the military. I applaud him for this act of courage and common sense.
When I was serving in Congress in the early 1990s I was asked by a New York Times reporter about my thoughts concerning gays serving in the military. My response was the same then as it is now. If any American citizen is willing to put his life on the line for his country then he should be allowed to serve. And this includes any openly gay Americans. The commanding general at an Air Force base in my former district once told me that he had known many gay enlisted men and officers who had served their country well, and that he thought that this should be a non-issue.
It is high past time that we get on with it. Our armed services today are filled with excellent men and women who happen to be gay or lesbian. Unfortunately many have to serve in the closet, but a surprisingly large number are increasingly open about their sexual orientation to their fellow soldiers. And as Gen. Shalikashvili said there are "24 foreign nations, including Israel, Britain and other allies in the fight against terrorism" that "let gays serve openly, with none reporting morale or recruitment problems." What additional evidence do we need to open up our armed services to a group of individuals who are eager and willing to put their lives on the line for the rest of us. Whether it happens this year or later in this decade it is important for my former colleagues in the Congress to discard the discriminatory and broken policy of "Don't Ask Don't Tell," and replace it with a policy that allows Americans regardless of sexual orientation to serve their country with honor and dignity. It is also important that President Bush or his successor concur with this enlightened policy.
Thank you General Shalikashvili for shining a light into this political closet.