Presidential candidate John Edwards, who managed to be both an Ethics Dunce and a Liar of the Month in February, earned an Ethics Hero award to kick off March.

An Edwards campaign press release reads:

“It is long past time to end the military’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy and to allow openly gay men and women to serve in the military. It is critical to our national security that we have the best people in our military. Gay men and women have continually served our country with honor and bravery, and we should honor their commitment and never turn away anyone who is willing to serve their country because of their sexual orientation.”

“Don’t ask, don’t tell” represented a cowardly and hypocritical “solution” to the issue of gay service in the military courtesy of the Clinton Administration, which always retreated to deceit when the pressure was on. If it is unconstitutional to prohibit gays from being in the military, then it is degrading and offensive to require them to hide their identities. Institutionalized dishonesty undermines ethical conduct. Indeed, it is illicit heterosexual relationships that are causing the military expense and disruption. Edwards’ position is unassailable, right and brave, and he deserves praise for it.