Manufacturing the News, Clinton-Style

Honestly, before the Clinton plant was used and exploited by CNN Wednesday night, when was the last time gays in the military was an issue?

I don't recall it even being mentioned during this election cycle--there are, after all, more pressing concerns with the military for those unaware.

But now that the Clinton machine has conveniently injected it into the news cycle (excellent timing, I might add, after Bill Clinton's blunder claiming he was against the Iraq invasion), it's suddenly taken on a new life.

Military opponents of the US "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy banning openly gay soldiers from serving in the military spoke out this week in Washington, in the latest criticism of the legislation.

Coinciding with the law's 14th anniversary Friday, 28 retired generals and admirals put their names to a letter to Congress, demanding that the controversial legislation be scrapped.

"We respectfully urge Congress to repeal the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy," the letter said.

"As General Colin Powell, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said when the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy was enacted, it is not the place of the military or those in senior leadership to make moral judgments," it said.

"As is the case in Britain, Israel and other nations which allow gays and lesbians to serve openly, our service members are professionals who are able to work together effectively despite differences in race, gender, religion and sexuality," the officers said.

Recall when Bill Clinton was inaugurated, this was the first thing he tackled. Do we really need to return to such a divisive issue?

Of course, if you're the Clintons.

Dividing people is all they know.