Understand, please, that I beleive a private group may have its own rules. If the Boy Scouts want to have a sexuality requirement for its scoutmasters, it's not any of my business since my son is no longer of scouting age. And so I'm not saying anything about this story other than, if it was me in charge of it, things would change.

Everyone agrees that Ligaya Lagman of Westchester, N.Y., is a Gold Star mother, part of the long line of women whose sons or daughters were killed in combat for the U.S. armed services.

Her 27-year-old son, Army Staff Sgt. Anthony Lagman, was killed last year in Afghanistan.

But the American Gold Star Mothers have rejected her for membership because -- though a permanent resident and a taxpayer -- she is not a U.S. citizen.

The group's national president, Ann Herd, said: "There's nothing we can do, because that's what our organization says. You have to be an American citizen." She added: "We can't go changing the rules every time the wind blows."

You should react better to sunlight, Ms. Herd. You can change the rule because it's your group.

Mrs. Lagman, meanwhile, has decided not to pursue membership further.

(H/T: Burt Dubow.)