During the darkest years of the AIDS epidemic I didn't have a blog to protest Phelps' actions. Had I one at the time you better believe I would have said the exact same thing. It was wrong!! Heck, I was still in school at the time. Fred Phelps deserves a fate far worse than AIDS will ever inflict on anyone. Likewise I didn't have a blog when Shepard was killed, but I mourned his loss and wished a death sentence against those that killed him. You've got me on the Randy Shilts thing. I don't even know who that is. But, I'm sure I feel the same way.

The fact of the matter is that Fred Phelps' church is a band of idiots and miscreants. They are the least Christian "christians" I've ever heard of. Believe me or not because I'm a Mormon, these are my views.

I'm a convert to the Mormon religion. I've never thought homosexuality was right, but that never stopped me from being their friends. No church ever imposed that belief on me. I have spoken MANY times on this very blog about how I think it is wrong that military doesn't allow openly gay soldiers to serve. I think it's a flawed policy. The problem with my position is that it's logistically cost prohibitive. Everything from dorms, to tent allotment, to bathing facilities would have to be changed. I've had soldiers who worked for me that were gay. I never turned them in until they asked me to so they could get out of the Army. They were just as good, in some cases better, than other soldiers.

Next time you want to question my motives on something, how about getting the whole story. Just because I don't agree with the sin, doesn't mean I hate the sinner. Give me a break. This website is not set up for gay bashing. It's a soldier's perspective.

I would like to address your post without this becoming a back and forth issue. You are entitled to your opinion as I am entitled to mine.

You see sir I feel for your loss of your home on 9-11 because I like you are a New Yorker. I lost many, many friends that day in those towers. I worked in New York for the Stock Market for many years. I had lots of friends in Cantor Fitzgerald. I had lunch plans that day with 2 friends of mine from Cantor who as we will know anyone in that company never made it out. Growing up in NY every other one of friends became fire fighters. That day I lost 15 friends (fire fighters) – 3 of which their bodies were never recovered. I have years of memories of the Trade Center.

As far as you contracting AIDS I'm sorry for you. But you write who the hell needs you now and that is your opinion. But the families of these soldiers need and want us now. I am going to continue to do what I do no matter anyones opinion on it.

You know what sir as I said I am sorry you contracted AIDS but the Military didnt give it to you and neither did the soldiers.

Just my opinion….

My question to all of you is: Where were you when the Phelps people were tormenting all of us at the hundreds upon hundreds of funerals of people with AIDS during the darkest years of the epidemic in our nation? Where were you when they went to Wyoming to cheer the death of Matthew Shepard? Where were you when they came to San Francisco to praise God for the death of Randy Shilts, the pioneering HIV reporter who saved thousands of lives?

Where the hell were you then?

And who the hell needs you now?

Joseph Smith

A Soldier's Perspective has a request. I know I'm a little late, but we can still do some good! Letter Writing RequestThanks to Fix 4 RSO and PCS to LinkedInUSAF for the head's up!

LET'S GET THIS SPREAD THROUGH OUR LITTLE CORNER OF THE BLOGOSPHERE!