On "Don't Ask, Don't Tell -- for the Devout"

Well, I think that I need to take Debra's point on this one. Everyone is entitled to express their opinion. The important thing, in my opinion, is to consider what the political and human fallout of such an expression might be. I still think that public figures need to be very aware of what they say on camera, but they still have the right to say it. The news media is the filter deciding whether we hear about it or even care that it was said.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell -- for the Devout
By Debra J. Saunders

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It will be a sad day in America if tolerance for gays is won because intolerance of devout Christians, whose faith tells them homosexuality is a sin, prevails. You want tolerance? Exercise it. Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, issued this how-dare-they statement: "What is immoral is to weaken our national security because of personal prejudices. Gen. Pace's comments were irresponsible, offensive and a slap in the face to the gay men and women who are currently serving their country with honor and bravery."

Translation: You can't call us immoral. If you do, you have to apologize. But we can call you immoral, secure in the knowledge that no one in the media will ask us to apologize.

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Be it noted, Pace, a Catholic, also supported military sanctions against adulterers, whose behavior he also called "immoral." Because there is no politically powerful lobby for adulterers, there have been no calls for Pace to apologize. Before I continue, let me mention that I don't like "don't ask, don't tell." It's a wrong-headed policy that hurts America's national security by keeping good people who want to serve their country out of the military. A federal audit found that "don't ask, don't tell" has cost the military some 10,000 troops, including professionals with important skill sets -- most notably 322 linguists and 54 Arabic specialists -- since President Bill Clinton promoted the policy in 1993.

Just as important, a caring country does not marginalize people who, I believe, came into this world gay or lesbian. America is strong precisely because it offers opportunities to all, just as San Francisco has a unique flavor because of its history as a haven for homosexuals. I also like how some of the same people who lament that President Bush did not listen to dissenting voices on the Iraq war now argue that Pace should not voice his personal opinions. They are advocating a de-facto "don't ask, don't tell" policy -- but for traditional Catholics.

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It's especially hard for some groups of Christians not to speak out about their beliefs on homosexuality and other perceived sins, since many feel called by Christ to make a witness to all and sundry. For them, asking them not to speak in public about their views is asking them to deny themselves, in a similar way as asking gays to hide their sexuality.