Cpl J.A. Landrith, Jr.
Box 28, HQMC, OLA
Arlington, VA 22214
19 Mar 93
2112 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-1318
Dear Mr. Michel,
First let me thank you and your staff for your assistance in matters concerning my family and myself over the past 20 years, specifically my parents’ battle with the I.R.S., my battles with Universal Insurance Co. upon my return from the Gulf War, and inestimable assistance after the murder of my grandfather, Robert Jackson.
I would like to take this time to express my support for the lifting of the military ban on homosexuals and as a U. S. Marine, I am very aware of the current homophobia and lack of knowledge on homosexuality by members of the Armed Forces in all ranks, billets, and posts. This is very unfortunate as all it breeds is hatred and ignorance and teaches young Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen that hatred and prejudice is accepted behavior for military members. The most detrimental threat to the morale and cohesion of the Armed Forces and the future of our Nation is the continued campaign of misinformation and double standards. It is time to live up to the Constitution instead of trying to work around it and continue our current double standards which teach the next generation that “all men are created equal, but some are more equal than others”. Many of those opposed to lifting the ban are quick to quote the Bible but they seem to ignore one of the most basic guidelines: “Thou shalt Not Judge”. That is a divine and non negotiable law that God established to keep his people from thinking that they are God. If those opposed to the lifting of the ban are going to quote the Bible, they need to read and adhere to the Bible in every facet of their life, not just when it is convenient for their political convictions. The Constitution guarantees separation of Church and State. Its time to adhere to that basic guideline that our country’s founding fathers fought so hard to establish, instead of emulating 18th century Britain. It is sad that in the late 20th century, with all of mankind’s scientific and industrial advancements; society still seems intent on reverting back to the dark ages. It is time to stop embracing ignorance and tradition. Ignorance is the disease that is destroying society and the world, everything else is just a symptom. Let us work toward to advancement of the human race and an end to fascist intolerance and prejudice.
Again, thank you for your assistance and taking the time to hear my views as military member and resident of the 18th Congressional District. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance to you as I work in the office of the Legislative Assistant to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. My phone number is (703) 614-1686.
Sincerely,
Cpl James A. Landrith, Jr.
April 1, 1993
Cpl J. A. Landrith, Jr.
BOX 28 HQMC OLA
Arlington, VA 22214
Dear Cpl Landrith:
Thank you for contacting me on the subject of President Bill Clinton’s pledge to allow homosexuals to be members of our armed forces. I support the current policy excluding homosexuals from the uniformed services because I believe it is in the best interests of our national security, a position best articulated in recent months by General Colin Powell, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
As you know, the Senate, because of its much less restricted rules allowing amendments to legislation, has the ability to act first on the issue. They did so on February 4, 1993, by attaching the following language to S. 5, the Senate version of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, which passed by a 71-27 vole:
“The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a comprehensive review of current Department policy with respect to the service of homosexuals in the armed forces. The review shall include the basis for the current policy of mandatory separation, the rights of all service men and women, and the effects of any change in such policy on morale, discipline, and military effectiveness. The Secretary will report the results of the review and his recommendations to the President and Congress by July 15, 1993. The Senate Committee on Armed Services shall then conduct comprehensive hearings on the current military policy with respect to the service of homosexuals in the military services and shall conduct oversight hearings on the Secretary’s recommendations as such are reported.”
I have made known to Floyd Spence, Ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, my feeling that Republicans on the Committee should ask Chairman Ron Dellums for full hearings on this issue. I will be in close contact with Floyd Spence on this issue as it unfolds. Our goal is to codify the existing ban, i.e., to write into law the existing regulations.
Obviously this is an issue whose complex ramifications for our entire society go beyond the specific question of whether self-identified homosexuals should be allowed to enter the uniformed services. We’ll be keeping an eye on the entire issue as the situation develops.
Again, I appreciate having the benefit of your thoughts on this important and controversial subject.
Sincerely,
Robert H. Michel, M.C.
RHM:jem