Goldwater on Gays in Military

* In response to “Ban on Gays Is a Senseless Attempt to Stall the Inevitable,” Commentary, June 11:

Once again, Barry Goldwater has, with his wonderfully pithy language, cut through to the core of an issue. Hard-liners cried doom when blacks were integrated, the same with women. The armed forces have survived and are enriched by their contributions. The same will happen when gays are integrated.

Goldwater goes on to challenge the self-styled conservatives who rail against governmental interference in their business dealings but do an about-face and encourage it in others’ personal lives.

Goldwater is the true conservatives. His words should be engraved on the walls of Congress and all 50 state houses. “Government governs best when it governs least--and stays out of the impossible task of legislating morality.”

JOHN B. ATWOOD

Upland

* With all due respect, Goldwater, like the rest of the pro-gays in the military lobby, misspeaks when he states that women have been integrated into the military, and leaves it at that--i.e., the last time I checked, they still are living in segregated living quarters. That’s the issue, Mr. Goldwater. That’s the issue.

HARVEY D. PEARSON

Los Angeles

* It’s a shame that Goldwater’s age is catching up to him, otherwise he would have known that the issue has never been the right for gays to serve in the military. This is merely a steppingstone for the full acceptance of homosexuality into the mainstream of the United States. And that is definitely not inevitable.

KEN LUCAS

Woodland Hills

* Here’s hoping that the lies of Gen. Collin Powell, Sen. Sam Nunn and countless other political Neanderthals read Goldwater’s commentary. Even though I’m a lifelong Democrat, I suppose all you can really say is, “In your heart you know he’s right.”

JOEL R. MALINIAK

Los Angeles

* In response to “College Classes Open the Door to Gay Studies,” June 11:

To the best of my knowledge people have written books, sung songs and had problems to work out since recorded history. Everyone, to some degree, has also had some problems dealing with his or her personal identity as well as the greater meaning of his or her own existence. So to a person who insists on telling me that he or she is gay, I say, as I have always said, “Yes, and what of it?” I see no issue here.

So a person is gay. Does this mean that the person deserves special attention or consideration for that reason alone? And if a person does great things, does it matter that he or she was gay or not? What difference would it make? What exactly do gays want? I think they want love and respect just like anyone else. That’s fine. They should begin, however, by loving and respect themselves first, and not by trying to force society into submission.

ARTHUR G. SAGINIAN

Northridge