Regarding the Aug. 28 letter “Petition shows extent of push”: I just hope that people realize not everyone in the military thinks this way.

I agree with the letter writer that stating two Muppets should be married is ridiculous. However, the writer would be surprised how soon people who are homosexual realized this. I’ve known people who told me that they knew they were gay as young as 5.

As for the writer stating that “[h]omosexual behavior is by definition deviant, abnormal and unnatural”: That is his definition of homosexuality, because that is not the dictionary definition of the word. Also, as for him stating that gay-rights activists “do not ask these same provisions [military ID cards and base housing] for unmarried, normal couples”: His definition of a “normal couple” might differ from the definition espoused by other people. What exactly is “normal” anymore anyway? What is “normal” today wasn’t normal 10, 20 or 30 years ago.

What two consenting adults do in their spare time is no one’s business. Do we ask all heterosexual troops what they do in their spare time with their significant others? I guarantee they are probably doing some pretty “abnormal” activities that the letter writer might not agree with.

Homosexuals don’t want “favoritism.” Just because the letter writer doesn’t agree with it does not mean that is what the “majority” agrees with. I’m pretty sure the results of those polled showed they stated that, “In the military, I just don’t understand why people act like someone being homosexual is the worst thing in the world.”

As leaders and noncommissioned officers, we shouldn’t be judging people based on orientation, race, skin color, ethnicity, etc. I want the most competent, capable soldiers working for me who adhere to the Army Values. That’s all any leader and NCO should want.

Staff Sgt. Kelly Calder

Fort Meade, Md.

Congress should follow suit

During a time when our country is engaged in its longest fighting “war” in both Iraq and Afghanistan, the so-called 535 leaders working in the U.S. Capitol continue to play psychological mind games with the men and women serving our great country in places all over the world. The thought of overhauling the military retirement system at this time is ludicrous. Justifiably, veterans groups and fellow patriots around the world are continuing to voice their displeasure at a military retirement overhaul that would destroy the very fabric of esprit de corps which embodies every veteran past and present. If Congress does decide to vote on this bill, one immediate statement should be directed toward them: Put your money where your mouth is.

Members of Congress should be on the chopping block for benefit reductions. They should have a vesting period like the rest of us and not be held in such high esteem as if they “deserve” such benefits.

This is the problem with our leaders today, a “me” mentality. If they do not serve their just period of time, say 20 years, then they do not receive any benefits, plain and simple.

If this idea were broadcast on the news, a better-quality politician would emerge from the muck, and the voice of the people would once again be represented instead of personal interests.

First Lt. Kevin H. Marshall

Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo

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