I wrote Jesse Helms (R - North Carolina) a simple, 2 sentence letter
stating that I support *lifting* the ban on gays in the military and
recieved the following garbage filled, hateful diatribe in return.

The following letter is reprinted without permission.  It is a form-
type letter printed on United States Senate official letterhead and
addressed to me.  It is dated June 17, 1993.  I have typed the letter
verbatim, all errors in syntax, grammar and spacing are attributable
to Mr. Helms.

************


     I appreciate you taking the time to contact us
about President Clinton's foolish and unwise obsession
to lift the ban on homosexuals in the armed forces.

     Frankly, no other issue during my more than 20
years in the Senate has created a greater firestorm of
reaction.  That pleases me because it shows that the
vast majority of Americans know a bad proposition when
they see one.

     I've not yet received a precise count of the total
number of calls, letters, telegrams, visits, etc. that
came to our office.  (They're still counting, but I am
confident that the total is in the tens of
thousands.)

     We heard from thousands of people across North
Carolina, indeed from across America.  Some were in
favor of Mr. Clinton's policy, but most were opposed.
Regardless, thank you so much for being one of those
from whom we heard.

     The liberal politicians in the Senate marched in
lockstep on this one, following President Clinton's
demands that they vote to kill (temporarily!) the
amendment that I co-sponsored, which would have locked
in the sensible and long-standing military policies
banning homosexuals.  The vote was 62-37.

     However, I assure you that this issue will plague
Mr.  Clinton and his cohorts for the next couple of
months.  Mr. Clinton has vowed to give the homosexuals
their way on July 15, no matter what anybody thinks.

     Well, we'll see about that.  The Senate Armed
Services Committee has been holding hearings on this
issue.  I don't feel that hearings are needed, and I
believe the vast majority of Americans agree.

(page 2)

     Mr. Clinton has disclosed repeatedly that he has
no regard for America's defense forces.  His decision
to lift the ban on homosexuals in the military--despite
the objections of the American people and the combat-
tested leaders of our armed forces--sends a message to
young soldiers, sailors, and airmen that their
Commander-in-Chief is, at best, insensitive to their
needs, and, at worst, contemptuous of all the military
stands for.

     For my part, I strongly share the position of
Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf that permitting
homosexuals in the military is simply wrong.  I am
opposed to any change in the long-standing policy.

     You may find of interest the enclosed copy of my
statement of February 2 setting forth my views in my
detail.

     Kindest regards.

                                    Sincerely,


                                    Jesse Helms
                                    United States Senate

JH/rwv
Enclosure

****************

Remember, I received this letter after sending a letter *supporting*
*lifting* the ban on gays in the military.

You may contact Senator Helms at:

Room 403
Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-3301
202-224-6342