On January 27th, President Obama wanted to get the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law repealed. He planned to "work with Congress and our military to finally repeal the law that denies gay Americans the right to serve the country they love because of who they are."
Now Adm. Michael G. Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates are both fighting to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". Gates stated that ""The question before us is not whether the military prepares to make this change, but how we best prepare for it"
"Don't Ask Don't Tell" seems like a good policy right? Just don't talk about your personal life, and everything will be alright. Alexander Nicholson from The Huffington Post sums it up in the correct light. "'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' still sounds very rational and fair to many -- no one will ask you, and as long as you don't go around throwing your private life in everyone's face there won't be a problem. This common misinterpretation of the policy is what also leads many young gay and lesbian recruits, including myself at one time, to believe that life under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' won't be so bad. The more accurate name for the policy, 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Happen to Get Found Out, Any Time, Any Place, In Any Way'..."
In 2009, 428 gays were discharged.
I don't see why sexual orientation should be important in the military or in any job. As long as it doesn't effect the person's work or performance, it shouldn't be a big deal.
Thursday Night Open Thread
4 hours ago
12 comments:
I agree- sexual orientation shouldn't matter in the military. I never really understood the mentality behind not allowing gays in the army.
I don't understand why it ever did? I mean, I understand that back in the day, it was still a semi-new thing for many people, but seriously, you'd think that people nowadays would be a little more understanding.
No surprises that I agree as well. Sexual orientation obviously doesn't affect somebody's right to serve their country or their ability. They are turning people away that they need to fight these wars we've found ourselves in. Does anyone know how the military as a whole feels about this? I know Silton mentioned something about the Marines being the most upset...
-Katie Jensen
People are more understanding nowadays, but there's still a lot of stigma associated with homosexuality. It's still a very controversial topic, and even in California, people are divided over the subject.
"I agree- sexual orientation shouldn't matter in the military."
That's why it shouldn't be repealed. The military was already hesitant about the policy in the first place and now Obama's attempting to get it repealed. It's the military, it shouldn't matter. I don't see why African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans shouldn't be allowed to parade about who they are in the Corps either, huh?
I 100% agree with this. There is no real reason that sexual orientatiom should matter in any job that you are doing. People are uncomfortable with things that are different so the dont ask dont tell policy is for the people who can't execpet things that are different.
"I don't see why sexual orientation should be important in the military or in any job. As long as it doesn't effect the person's work or performance, it shouldn't be a big deal."
AMEN TO THAT.
I mean, really, being gay or lesbian isn't a disability. I don't understand why anyone would treat it as such. I also understand that there is such a thing as homophobia, but it is completely unfounded. It just completely and utterly escapes me why homophobia even exists. The people living with the old mindset rely on religion and biology to back their claims that gays should be shunned, but when it comes down to it, treating their sexual orientation as if it were a disease or disability is disgustingly unfounded and just pisses me off.
-Annie Yang
I agree that being gay in the military really doesn't matter. I wanted to find out why people would ever think it does, and here's what I found:
so, from the 1950s-late 1970s, the military classified homosexuality as a mental illness, and on those grounds excluded them from serving.
now they use the argument that: If there are homosexuals in the military, they will demoralize the troops and if the troops are demoralized they will fight less well. Basically. They talk about awkward changing and "demoralizing" social interactions.
I guess that kind of makes sense...if you consider talking with gay men so demoralizing it effects your fighting ability. These arguments are pretty durn flimsy, and in my opinion it's the military's self-image that is the military's top priority.
http://users.sfo.com/~rathbone/gw400004.htm
"This common misinterpretation of the policy is what also leads many young gay and lesbian recruits, including myself at one time..."
You were kicked out of the military because you were gay?
While it's true that who one wants to have a relationship with has nothing to do with who one wants to kill, I think there are more reasons that the military is reluctant to permit gays. And it's more political than you think. Service in the military is a distinguished honor, and permitting gays into the military would put the homosexual community in a positive light in the nation. It gives them the green light to go claim their rights for equality. The argument here is that gays should have the right to marry if they put their lives on the line for their country. Hence, this opens up a wide horizon of opportunities to get gays equality.
To Amanda:
"I 100% agree with this. There is no real reason that sexual orientation should matter in any job that you are doing. People are uncomfortable with things that are different so the don't ask don't tell policy is for the people who can't [accept] things that are different."
Exactly. I don't see what more they could want, other than the military submitting to THEIR needs and wants.
"AMEN TO THAT. I mean, really, being gay or lesbian isn't a disability. I don't understand why anyone would treat it as such."
They claim they're being discriminated against which is total and complete BS. They know it's BS too which is why I just smirk whenever this subject comes up.
If this does get repealed, I will even further fear for this country's understanding of ethics.
This controversy is just like women back in the days. Women were not allowed to serve in the military until much later, and I feel like homosexuals will have the same opportunity as well. It will take a long time until everyone accepts homosexuals, but hey, it's worth the wait.
I also agree, it shouldn't affect people that are gay. I never really even realized that gays were not allowed in the army until a few days ago during Obama's inauguration speech. It really doesn't make a difference whether they are gay or not to join the military.
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