Only small minority wants to keep ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
Re: “Pentagon stacked deck on ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,'” Dec. 7
Mr. Cal Thomas is, as they say, entitled to his opinion, but not his own facts. The Pentagon survey he criticizes was the most extensive ever done of military attitudes toward gays serving in the military. And like the overwhelming majority of Americans, most service members are supportive of ending the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
His inference that only the military, and not the American people or Congress, should have a say on this issue is appalling, as is his apparent belief that we should all be held hostage by the small minority of service members whose personal animosity towards gays would have them actually quit the service if DADT is repealed.
The proper response to them is good riddance. And that also goes for the chaplains who can live with adultery, premarital sex, drunkenness, and various other sins, but who are simply appalled at the thought of having gays and lesbians darkening their doors.
Mr. Thomas makes it quite apparent that his true reason for opposing the end of DADT is because homosexuality violates his sense of right and wrong. Well, Mr. Thomas, the right of every individual to decide for himself how to live his life is what we call freedom, which is exactly what our troops are supposed to be fighting for, not some cramped vision of theocracy held by him and an increasingly small minority of Americans.
David Lampo
Log Cabin Republican Club of Virginia
Alexandria
Vouchers have worked wherever they’ve been tested
Re: “Vouchers would create more problems than they would fix,” From Readers, Dec. 6
Mr. Kenneth Stevens should read some history books and get some logic training before rebutting Frederick Hess (“For schools, one size does not fit all,” Dec. 3). As a parent and taxpayer, I should be able to choose where my kids go to school and how my taxpayer dollars are being spent.
Furthermore, every trial of the voucher program has been met with success, whether it was in D.C., Los Angeles or elsewhere.
Why should my tax dollars be used by others when I have to pay for my child’s education out of my own pocket? That doesn’t sound very American. Perhaps China would suit Mr. Stevens better. I hear the government makes all the decisions there, too.
Matthew Cashen
Bristow
Nobody should listen to Jimmy Carter
Re: “Carter should keep quiet instead of removing all doubt,” Dec. 6
In Jimmy Carter’s fantasy world, he is still the president and everyone should be compelled to listen, if not obey him. Apparently he cannot remember that he was one of the worst presidents in this country’s history, presiding over hyperinflation, high unemployment and a flawed domestic and foreign policy.
Why anyone would listen to him now or read his books is beyond me, but perhaps they serve as a guide for a failed government. In retirement, Carter has chosen to demean the office of ex-president, both to the chagrin of the U.S. public and the delight of rogue nations worldwide, including North Korea and Iran.
Nelson Marans
Silver Spring
