'Don't ask, don't tell' is discrimination

Since its adoption in 1993, the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy has been the basis for the dismissal of about 12,500 experienced, dedicated service members whose only crime was being openly gay. Some 265 of them - more than one a day - have been discharged since President Obama took office with the promise to allow gays to serve openly, free from fear of being discharged because of their sexual orientation.

The latest challenger to Don't Ask, Don't Tell is Lt. Dan Choi - a West Point graduate, an Iraq war veteran, and a much sought after Arab linguist critical to translating what our enemies are saying. A military board has recommended he be discharged from the Army National Guard for being openly gay. Forcing out soldiers with Choi's specialized skills and professionalism jeopardizes our national security.

More than 1,000 retired military leaders have signed a letter contending that lifting the ban on openly gay soldiers would negatively impact cohesion, recruitment and retention. Similar arguments were made when blacks and women were first integrated into the armed forces. Today their presence is the norm.

Discrimination on any basis cannot be justified on the grounds that the majority is comfortable with it.

Sheryl Jedlinski

Palatine