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

I am writing in response to Julie Watson's article “Gay ban struck down.” I liked how you wrote the article to show the courage of Judge Philips' action against the military ban “don't ask, don't tell,” while at the same time briefly touching on the points of view of people who support the ban.

I agree with Judge Philips that the government needs to stop enforcing “don't ask, don't tell.” A person's nationality, sexual orientation, religion, or gender should not bar them from defending their country. Firing homosexuals from the military due solely to their sexual orientation is blatant discrimination.

I think the ban is unconstitutional, violates the right to freedom of speech, and should be abolished.

Nicole Bakirtjy

Mundelein