Before taking office, President Barack Obama pledged to end the ban on openly gay personnel in all branches of the armed forces. He has yet to do this, but most analysts believe hs is just biding his time, waiting for the right moment.

A senior military official speaking on the condition of anonymity yesterday stated that the Pentagon wants more time before the ban on openly gay servicemen is repealed. He is concerned about the change sparking a polarizing debate and splitting unity among personnel.

There have been instances of gays serving openly in the military for years without problem, though. What about Lt. Daniel Choi, who graduated from West Point and was recently discharged? He said, “My subordinates know I’m gay. They don’t care. They are professional.”

If some of our servicemen and women aren’t able to handle a few openly gay individuals, then perhaps these dissenters aren’t mature enough for the military. Don’t our armed forces call upon recruits to be more professional and mature than the average citizen, after all?

The fact of the matter is “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” doesn’t work. It represses the rights of those brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day, but also discourages qualified individuals from entering the military because of a sexual preference.

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