We’ve always had ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’
Re: “Pentagon says gays won’t hurt military,” Dec. 1
Few members of Congress have served in the military, so there is heavy reliance on the opinion of the current forces as that body acquires in-depth knowledge of the effect of possible changes to the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ code of conduct. Older military members desire to maintain the current standards, while the younger personnel seem to be less interested. As a World War II vet, I agree with the older folks.
It would seem appropriate for a widespread investigation into the subject by also querying ex-service members from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War when the draft was in effect and large numbers of folks were rapidly thrown together in 50-man barracks. Homosexuals were weeded out by courts-martial. I presume those who were celibate served without controversy, as do certain members of the clergy in civilian life.
But wartime military life is not at all comparable to civilian life, where one chooses his own work, friends, and living circumstances. The current policy is effective and, in fact, was the unwritten policy before its adoption as the law.
Joseph P. Carrigan
Fairfax
Overgrown Congress requires some serious pruning
Re: “Make Congress a part-time job,” Nov. 30
It is not very often that I agree with the political ideology of a Rand Paul or the musings of a Cal Thomas. However, I concur wholeheartedly with their comments concerning both term limits and their proposal to make Congress a part-time job. To the casual observer, this past Congress already seems to be in part-time mode, especially the Republicans.
That being said, I propose the following:
*Limit House terms to three and Senate terms to one.
* Allow Congress to be in session for only four months of the year.
* Cut congressional staffs — and pay — by 66 percent across the board.
Cicero said it best a couple thousand years ago: “Democracy defends the status quo long after the quo has lost it’s status.” If we expect Congress to change the way it governs, we are all going to be in for a rude awakening.
Marvin E. Adams
Washington
Human personhood begins at conception
Re: “U.S. was never a Christian nation,” from readers, Nov. 29
Edd Doerr argues that the Bible treats human personhood as beginning at birth. However, Jeremiah 1:5 clearly refutes his opinion with a direct quote from God: “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.”
If an unborn baby is a non-sentient blob, how could God know him personally? That would be as silly as conversing with a rock.
God assigns human beings value — and thus personhood — from conception. It is we arrogant human beings who use trivial standards like birth status, race, etc., to justify dehumanizing and ultimately exploiting each other. Such behavior is the antithesis of being a Christian.
Frederick D. Weaver
Washington
