A party whose titular head appears to be Rush Limbaugh with strong competition from Roger Ailes' Fox News could be expected to be disturbed over the recent proposal to scrap the "Don't ask, don't tell" rule regarding the service of homosexuals in the military invoked when President Bill Clinton was in office.

A party moving perpetually backwards while heating up the forces of hate in a manner consistent with Limbaugh and his radio broadcasts would be expected to launch the same parade of horribles rationale so popular when Republicans are confronted with policy changes that reflect modern reality.

On the issue of gays it is particularly appealing to conjure up fear with a tinge of hatred since the most rightward and antagonistic element of the base can be more easily rallied by such an appeal.  

The accusation of an appeal to prejudicial hatred will always be denied with the angry retort being that the interest of America is the ultimate barometer but it has been easy to see for some time where the party's dominant right flank, which has been in control for so long, stands on gay issues and conclude why such a posture is being taken.