Congress recently voted to appeal the policy of “don’t ask, don’t tell”, which allows homosexuals to serve in the military as long as they do not discuss their sexual orientation. Many homosexuals have been affected by this military policy.

This policy has resulted in the discharge of around 16,000 patriotic soldiers since it policy was put in to effect 17 years ago. Approximately 4,000 other service members have voluntary left the service because of this policy. Military services are experiencing shortfalls, and allowing gays to serve openly could be expected to increase recruitment.

This policy seems to be based off nothing but fear and has nothing to do with performance. In a 1993 study by the Government Accountability Office, it was shown that allowing gays in the military was not a problem and that there were no issues in the functioning of military units. This policy was not based on sound research, we know of no research to prove that an openly gay service hurts the military.

This is not a matter of whether or not you support gay lifestyles or gay marriages. These are the people that fight for our freedoms. We should find it disrespectful to tell the men and women who are fighting to protect this nation that they cannot be open about things like their sexual orientation.

The late Sen. Barry Goldwater, R-Ariz., is a respected conservative and was the 1964 GOP presidential nominee. He also served in the United States Air Force and was a veteran of World War II. Goldwater got it right with one sentence, “You don’t have to be straight in the military, you just have to be able to shoot straight.”

MDavidScott