We keep ignoring the elephant in the room.
The trial about the largest breach of US classified documents in history is ongoing at Fort Meade. The central focus, by the defense is that their guy, Pvt. Manning, was an open homosexual, and mentally unstable, who unsuccessfully sought help for his condition but was ignored by a chain of command who today, refuses to address the issue as a factor in his treason prosecution. Subsequent commanders have testified that his Top Secret clearance should have been cancelled due to his behavior; he was unfit for the clearance, and his work, intelligence analysis.
His actions occurred in the Don’t ask; don’t tell era. Prior to President Clinton, his outing would have been grounds for dismissal.
Our people die when classified information is given to our enemies. Our nation is wounded when this occurs. Hence, what should our policy be in the light of historical facts? Where, in the spectrum of human conduct, do we, Americans, draw the line? IMHO, when private acts in a bedroom can lead to graves in national cemeteries, or being defeated, it is a valid topic of public debate. This is not religious bias, it is essentially about national survival. And if it is germane to a soldier, it must also bind those who send him into combat.
