Lifting Ban on Gays in Military

In response to “Clinton Aides Urge Quick End to Military Ban on Gays,” Jan. 8:

For those who only scan headlines the message was complete. But in 28 column inches, the article did not attribute a single aide. It suggested that some sort of mousy directive would pass the buck to Secretary of Defense Les Aspin to sort out. No executive order, simply a memorandum. Otherwise the only attribution was to gay activist spokesmen who press hard for quick action. “They are not willing to compromise.” It would seem that military leaders of vast experience are being shouted down.

Certainly the activists such as Queer Nation, ACT-UP and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force are pursuing their agenda, hellbent. And it seems to me your staff is helping their cause.

One result of their acceptance will be the entitlements of the resultant gay spouse. Married couples are provided base family quarters or an allowance in lieu thereof. Both are provided medical care and hospitalization. The impact on military medicine is impossible to predict, but it must be contemplated.

I think that the urgency demonstrated by the leaders relates partly to those entitlements. And why with so many urgent matters facing the new Administration must this decision be afforded top priority?

Comes the devolution, our nation may rue the haste.

ROBERT J. SUNDE

Nipomo