From: rjwill6@pbsdts.sdcrc.pacbell.com (Rod Williams)
Subject: "No Wavering on Gay Soldiers"
Originator: rjwill6@pbsdts.sdcrc.pacbell.com
Organization: Pacific * Bell, San Ramon, California
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 16:07:14 GMT


Yesterday's (01/20/93 -- Inauguration Day) New York Times
ran this editorial, reprinted here without permission...

    ---------------------------------------------------

In the heat of the campaign, Bill Clinton pledged to issue
an executive order to repeal the ban on gay men and lesbians
in the military services.  The pledge was not made lightly.
Mr. Clinton was courting the votes and contributions of
homosexuals -- and the approbation of all fair-minded
Americans distressed at discrimination and gay-bashing in
all areas of society.

But now Mr. Clinton is meeting stiff resistance from
military leaders and soldiers in the ranks.  Some top
generals fear that open acceptance of homosexuals will
destroy morale and discipline.  Many officers seem to have a
visceral aversion to homosexuals.

Top aides to Mr. Clinton are suggesting that he pass the
buck to his choice for Defense Secretary, Les Aspin, who
could take the heat for lifting the ban and work closely
with the military to ease the transition.  Under one
approach, Mr. Clinton would issue written instructions to
Mr. Aspin telling *him* to lift the ban, drop all
investigations and disciplinary cases against suspected
homosexuals, and end the practice of asking recruits about
their sexual orientation.

This is a tempting scenario that might allow Mr. Clinton to
have it both ways.  He could honor the spirit of his pledge
by having the ban lifted.  Yet he might spare himself the
personal fury of military leaders whose cooperation he needs
to reshape the armed forces and cope with foreign crises.
Some Clinton supporters are also arguing that this is not an
issue worth fighting about in the early days of a new
administration with more important priorities.

But a contentious civil rights issue like this is not
appropriate for buck-passing.  If social change is to occur
against widespread opposition, it is best ordered from the
very top, carrying the weight and moral authority of the
Presidency.

Mr. Clinton needs to proceed with his original plan to issue
an executive order.  He could lift the ban on homosexuals
immediately while granting the military time to devise new
policies, if needed, governing housing, gay social clubs,
dependents' benefits and other issues.

Issuing an executive order would also uphold the principle
that the President controls the military, not vice versa.  It
would honor a highly visible campaign pledge at a time when
Mr. Clinton us waffling on all too many pledges.  And it
would signal determination to head off expected attempts by
conservatives in Congress to maintain the ban.

The nation is ready for this change.  Polls show that a
majority of Americans favor admission of homosexuals.  If Mr.
Clinton backs off now, he will only invite a backlash against
gay servicemen and his own enlightened effort to promote
fairness.

When a courageous former President, Harry Truman, racially
integrated the armed forces in 1948, he did so by executive
order.  But then he was famous for knowing where the buck
stopped.

    --------------- end of editorial ------------------

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rod williams -=- pacific bell -=- san ramon, ca -=- rjwill6@pacbell.com
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