I listened to some of the ‘debate’ re. “Don’t ask, don’t tell”. A
representative “Susan Collins” commented “We welcome the service of these individuals who want to serve their country……”. I am wondering: Would it not make a big difference in terms of support for dropping this rule if just one word was changed in the above?

Suppose the statement was presented in the form: “We welcome the service of these Americans who want to serve their country…..”.