Don't Ask, Don't Tell ('03)

I sent this letter to the LATimes in April 2003 (not published):

Colin Powell is largely to blame for the despicable "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

In December 1992, as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he strongly opposed President-elect Clinton's proposal to let gays serve openly in the armed forces.

Just imagine if instead, he had courageously said, "It's no big deal. We can implement it right away, as soon as the Commander in Chief likes."