Today the Wall Street Journal’s William McGurn wrote an Opinion piece called “Why Harvard Harasses the Military.”

I read it, but I admit I was turned off.

I paused and absorbed. Then my fingers started. I hate when it happens, but it’s not like I can help it. I wrote a reponse. Direct. Clean. And short. I decided last minute, instead of addressing it to the friend who forwarded it, I would send it directly to the Wall Street Journal.

After I hit send, it took ten minutes for the writer to respond. Here is the transaction.

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WHY HARVARD HARASSES THE MILITARY 
William McGurn, Wall Street Journal, May 20, 2008

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MY RESPONSE
I don’t know the back story to Harvard and ROTC other than what this piece offered. But, coming from my perspective, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is a highly discriminatory policy. The problem is, some of my peers do not understand why.
 
Here is why what Harvard did matters. “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” is the tip of the ice berg. If our world class military can discriminate, how can our legislators grant gay people equal rights and protection from discrimination and hate crimes? Take these for example.
 
>10,000. Estimated number of gays and lesbians expelled from the military since under the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy

> 30. The number of states it is legal to fire an employee based on sexual orientation

> Gays and lesbians are not protected under the federal non-discrimination laws (Employment Non Discrimination Act)

> Gays and lesbians are not covered under federal hate crime laws, even though FBI statistics show gays are disproportionately targets of attacks

To my interpretation, Harvard’s actions have nothing to do with dishonoring the service of our military. Quite the contrary, they seem to make the point that one of the greatest institutions in our country - our military - should be subject to look past sexual orientation to achieve the goals in the best interest of the entire nation — the goal of protecting our physical freedoms and our civil liberties. We should hold the highest standard in all that we do.
 
With Respect to All Views,
Erica Anderson

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MCGURN’S RESPONSE:
It’s a fair argument.  And Harvard is a good place to debate it.  I just think there are plenty of other fora, other than the day these officers get their bars.
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IN CONCLUSION
Folks, this is just the tip of the ice berg. I always ask myself, Why Should I Care? Why Should You Care? Because in 30 states, four branches of the military and millions of offices, we are unknowingly enabled to discriminate against a minority. That’s why.