Ma'am; you prove my point about better than any straight person could... Gays deserve equal rights because they are no different; not worse, and certainly no better than anyone else... To me, the military looks like a legal asylum for violent people...Why shouldn't gays be considered in this light??? Are they less violent, less brave, less ambitious, less calculating... I don't know why I would put my self in that situation...I am violent enough, but not at all given to discipline...But, then again; I don't talk politics in bars or out hunting because you never know when a nut might go off... So; if the gays become a target rather than invisible because they are not there; who told you it was a good idea??? They want it, let them have it...Don't ask why they want it...Why does anyone want in the military who has other alternatives???It is one of the poor people's last avenue to a better life, to greater opportunity, to prosperity... They should remember that dieing isn't much of a living... But who told them it was a good idea???It is just the only idea left for many, and those with any gumption have to stick to it... Yet, no one who picks up a gun with the intention of killing is a hero in my book, or a saint... Last alternatives should stay last... Tell that to any kid with raging hormones, and a rash of patriotism... It is a terrible fact that people put themselves by choice into situations where doing evil is as natural as following a chain of command...That is what all people, even Gay people should avoid at all cost...If you do violence, and if you do evil; do it on your own authority because no one can give you that authority....All we have to give in the way of authority to the government- is authority over our own behavior, to do good...If I cannot murder, I surely cannot give that authority... So never put yourself in a situation where some one says kill, and you must... You are still only killing on your own authority, but then you can excuse it... And the world already has enough excuses...Gays like straights should look always for an excuse to not do violence, understanding that no one really has that authority... Joining the military is fine; but if they cannot find justice outside of the military, what makes them think any cause in the military will be more just??? Do you see what I mean??? I am certain Gays and Lesbians can kill...I am certain they do it all the time... What is needed for all is not ability or willingness, but justification; by which I mean: true, legal, sprirtual, and moral justification... Guilt kills far more people than all of our wars combined... Avoiding guilt is more difficult by far than being a gay in the military..The advice I would give to you or to your gay friends or to anyone else is the same...Never surrended personal responsibility for your own good conduct.. ...Thanks...Sweeney