For diversity

With the specter of political correctness thick in the air, the Pentagon announced Thursday it would conduct an investigation into the recent massacre at Fort Hood.

"It is prudent to determine immediately whether there are internal weaknesses or procedural shortcomings in the department that could make us vulnerable in the future," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said.

Fine.

But even as the military was announcing the move, some of its top brass continued to worry that the murders of 13 people at the hands of a soldier who was waist deep in Islamic extremism could hurt their efforts to promote "diversity" in the armed forces.

What inanity.

Yes, there is value in having a diverse fighting force, open to all those who are able to serve their country. But that should be secondary to the military's primary mission.

And about this commitment to "diversity." Surely the gay community will be surprised to hear about it. If "diversity" is so great, why exclude qualified homosexuals? In fact, we'd wager most soldiers would be far more comfortable in a foxhole next to an openly gay colleague than next to a soldier who'd spent the past two months trying to contact al-Qaida.

This nonsense about diversity is just that -- nonsense. Investigate the Fort Hood shooting? Good. But let the chips fall where they may. Don't set up some dubious pretense for a whitewash.