Date: Fri, 19 Jan 1996 08:30:35 EST
From: TCCP00D@prodigy.com (MR ANDREW B EDDY)
Subject: Re: Able vs. USA


                        "We Are One"
               AMERICAN FEDERATION OF VETERANS
             "An Alliance for Equality of Rights"

Press Release                    Contact:  (305) 782-1095
                                           P.O. Box 1281
                                           Ft.Lauderdale, FL 33302
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Letters to the Editor
New York Times
229 W. 43rd St.
New York, New York  10036


                "DON'T ASK-DON'T TELL" AN INQUISITION

Your January 17th column "U.S. Court Hears Case Concerning Gay Troops"
by Don Van Natta, Jr. again hits at the heart of military injustice
which not only abets segregation and/or discrimination but ridicules
the conviction "One nation under God with Liberty and Justice for All."

There can be no compassionate justice as long as the powers that wish to
be reject the "Golden Rule" when dealing with equality. When Johnny came
marching home in the past leaving unwed mothers and fatherless children
behind never once did the cry for celibacy and moral responsibly loudly
ring out from our nations steeples and/or the House and Senate. Who dared
champion the thousands of invisible faces the military did not want to
acknowledge as "accident off-springs." In those day, as now, it was
alleged "boys will be boys" as Tailgate demonstrated.

Certainly some would argue that this behavior preserves order and
discipline in the ranks as well as outside of it.  Others would be more
realistic and say it smacks of hypocrisy.

Mr. Van Natta states that "the law allows homosexuals and lesbians to
serve in the military and prohibits commanders from initiating
investigations...."  This certainly lacks sincere investigative report-
ing as to the existing inquisition which apparently reeks of nothing
less than what it is, a military witch-hunt. If we allow this bias to
fester and promulgate who will be next?

Mr. Van Natta is being mythical when he suggests that the policy of
"Don't Ask- Don't Tell - Don't Pursuit" is a working model and not
discriminatory, based on prejudice. It's an obviously violation of free
speech and equal protection under Constitutional law.

Our patriotic volunteers must be judged on merit, performance and ability,
not sexual orientation.

Karl Clark, Executive V.P
The American Federation of Veterans