Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

To the Editor:

Re “Senate Ends Military Ban on Gays Serving Openly” (front page, Dec. 19):

I commend Congress for finally repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell,” a policy that was wrong when it was created and is wrong now. At a time when our military is stretched thin, we could use all the people who want to join.

It is a matter of civil rights that the military not discriminate for any reason. Many other countries have allowed gays to serve openly in their militaries; I guess when it comes to ours, better late than never.

Steven M. Clayton
Pittsburgh, Dec. 19, 2010

Note from KBJ: The letter writer assumes, without evidence or argument, that the change in the law will result in more people serving in the military. I predict that it will result in fewer.