(no subject)

[lsanderson]

"Gay Army Linguists (Article.)

To the [New York Times]  Editor:

In "Gay Army Linguists Say They Were Ousted" (news article, Nov. 15), you report that "nine Army linguists, including six trained in Arabic, have been dismissed from the military because they are gay, even as the military faces a critical shortage of translators and interpreters for the war on terrorism."

While we down under debate Australian support for any United States-led war
on terror, I would be ever so grateful if an American politician would explain why the Taliban's persecution of women is considered barbaric, yet persecution
of gay military personnel by your government is deemed quite acceptable.

MIKE LECLERC

Sydney, Australia, Nov. 15, 2002"

From today's NY Times