On Simplicity

There was very little media coverage of Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Peter Pace's comments before a congressional committee yesterday. He was called in to "clarify" some comments he made last May regarding homosexuals serving in the military. Here are some highlights of his testimony yesterday:

"We need to be very precise then, about what I said wearing my stars and being very conscious of it. And that was very simply that we should respect those who want to serve the nation, but not through the law of the land condone activity in my upbringing is counter to God's law."

"I would be very willing and able and supportive [to changes to the policy] to continue to allow the homosexual community to contribute to the nation without condoning what I believe to be activity — whether it to be heterosexual or homosexual — that in my upbringing is not right."

He said something similar last May. He was being given the opportunity to retract or change his statements to make them more paletable to the congressional committee. Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa called Pace's remarks "very hurtful".

This is a man at the highest levels of military authority, the highest, in fact. There he is, stating a point of view simply and straightforwardly. He is plainly stating that it is fine with him if homosexuals serve in the military, but that it would be entirely inappropriate for the government to endorse such relationships. Both military and social order depend on individuals acting in the best interest of the community. Activities that disrupt that community are unjust and should be discouraged or disallowed.

It's hard to express how encouraging his behavior should be for all who truly love freedom and fear license. He is stating a reasonable point of view in a very visible way. It is a point of view that no politician could express without ending his career. We should be grateful that some men are still free to speak their mind, and that they have the courage to do so.