‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’

Chicago Tribune: Some of the nation’s highest military officers have a difference of opinion on a major issue of government policy.

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has come out in favor of repealing the Pentagon policy that bars open homosexuals from serving in the ranks, as proposed by President Barack Obama. The Army and Air Force chiefs, Gen. George Casey Jr. and Gen. Norton Schwartz, say they’re not convinced now is the right time to lift the ban. Marine Corps commandant Gen. James Conway says “the current policy works.”

Act of Congress

Could the American military survive the presence of gays and lesbians in its ranks? As a matter of fact, it already has. Since 1993, when Congress passed the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy barring openly homosexual personnel, some 14,000 have been kicked out. Nearly 4,000 voluntarily depart each year.

Gays have always been there and always will be. What difference would it make if they could be open about their identity? Probably not much.

Decades ago, many people in the U.S. military didn’t welcome integrating blacks or women into their ranks. Today, it’s hard for young people to wonder why all the fuss.