Repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'....
Will Obama or McCain have the guts to do the right thing and let gays and lesbians serve their country???
Congress should repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" law because the presence of gays in the military is unlikely to undermine the ability to fight and win, according to a new study released by a California-based research center.
The study was conducted by four retired military officers, including the three-star Air Force lieutenant general who in early 1993 was tasked with implementing President Clinton's policy that the military stop questioning recruits on their sexual orientation.
"Evidence shows that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly is unlikely to pose any significant risk to morale, good order, discipline or cohesion," the officers states.
To support its contention, the panel points to the British and Israeli militaries, where it says gay people serve openly without hurting the effectiveness of combat operations.
posted by GayandRight @ 9:22 AM
8 Comments:
Security is the only issue here, the policy creates a situation where a gay person could be compromised by unfriendly agents or other members of the service who are immoral.
The Canadian military hasn't given a damn about its members' sexual orientation since the early nineties. Hasn't affected our warfighting abilities one bit - just ask the couple of thousand dead Taliban we've racked up over the last few years. Time for our US comrades to enter the 21st century.
Hello Fred,
I'm not sure what the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy entails beyond military personnel not asking recruits their sexual orientation in exchange for gay soldiers not volunteering that info to anyone else. What's wrong with this policy? What would you like to see in its stead?
What's wrong with the policy? People should be free to be open with their sexuality. Why should anybody be forced to keep their preferences secret? Every year, hundreds of recruits are thrown out of the US military because they are gay - and they have even thrown out many Arab linguists - who they really need.
fred
Thanks for getting back to me so soon, Fred, I appreciate it. By the way, I meant to tell you earlier that I do like this blog. I have it bookmarked and I check it all the time. I have in interest in the "unlikely conservative" and have been interested to see you tackle some gay issues.
On to "Don't ask don't tell":
Your answer indicated that there are gays who are kicked out for being openly gay in the military. But from my experience with military personnel, I know that there are also many heterosexuals who are kicked out for fraternizing outside of their ranks, etc. Surely they are losing important people in the heterosexual group as well. Gays aren't the only ones who can translate Arabic, after all! lol
Why do you find it important for soldiers to flaunt their sexual orientation at all? I'm not understanding this, and I truly want to.
Based on what I've been told by military officers (staff sergeants, sergeant majors, etc.) the military doesn't particularly want ANYONE in a romantic relationship because it interferes with their job. For example, a husband and wife cannot be sent out on the same mission- especially if they have kids- for fear that the couple will be killed or will act with ulterior motives. As well, when soldiers marry, one typically leaves the service (usually the lower ranking soldier). From the military's point of view, a romantic couple costs them a soldier.
How big a problem is "Don't ask don't tell"? Is this really an issue that's dramatically affecting the military in a negative way? Or is this just another manifestation of gay activism?
I respectfully await your reply, and I appreciate your patience with me.
Ah, and what's with the link to "Gays for Life"? I checked the blog to see a Pro-life gay writer, but it's all jibberish. Was it something before?
hey fred, i am glad we're on the same side on this matter ;)
(your new friend who moved from la la land)
Dear J. Thomas:
How about this? Suppose you are gay in the military and your boyfriend is at home in the US. Isn't it natural to talk about your spouse and your love for your spouse???? It's unnatural to hide that. And unfair.
You might be dying of lonelinesss...but only your straight friends can talk about their feelings. That is cruel and unusual punishment.
As for the gays for life....I might have linked many years ago..i have no idea what is on that site.
Do you have an email address?
fred
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