An e-mail:

I just lost my dad last November; he and I spent more time in heated debate than any other activity (and we both loved it). In the 90’s when Clinton was President we got in a huge argument about gays in the military (I was probably pro, he was probably against, but who knows?). Finally, I said: Look, Dad. Neither one of us is gay; neither is in the military, neither one of us knows what we’re talking about, so let’s drop it. To which my husband, for years a quiet observer of our debates said: Since when does knowing what your talking about make a difference to either one of you?
Fast forward 15 years. I have a son in the military. To the current debate I would say: Leave it up to the military. They know best and only they should have a voice in the decision because they have to live with the consequences. But after the Ft Hood debacle and military’s mishandling, I no longer have the confidence that they have the common sense to make the correct decision. Apparently they are as PC and foolish as the average politician.