Question of the Day
Why do you think Congress should repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell?" We look forward to hearing your thoughts!
10-16-08
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Why do you think Congress should repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell?" We look forward to hearing your thoughts!
19 Comments
Comments for this entry are closed.Amazonian in New York on October 22, 2008 at 10.30 am
We have a duty, as Americans, first and foremost to protect and fight for basic human rights not only within our own country, but throughout the world.
Americans have seen the effects a historical legacy of genocide and slavery can have on a budding democracy.
America is not the country it promises to be because its founding “fathers” decreed it so, but because the People of the Longhouse: the Hausaunee Tribes of Upstate NY were the inspiration and blueprint for an alternative government to the English Monarchy at the time.
America is a disapora of cultures, races and people AND it has always been so. We must support all Human Rights, including those for our own citizens because that is what those who hope for a true Democracy would do. Peace.
Robert Laity in Tonawanda NY on October 19, 2008 at 03.31 pm
I have heard that gays aren’t militarily suited for combat. This isn’t the case. Several wll known homosexuals were military warriors. Alexander the Great was Gay.
Wendy Sands in NYC on October 17, 2008 at 01.57 pm
I do not see what one’s sexuality has to do with work, be in civilian or military.
We should not adopt a two tier system anywhere and then expect the military to represent the best of America - equality.
Look to history for precedents.
I am a straight, retired guidance counselor and grandmother now, and I do not think my sexuality entered into my work at all, as it should be.
We should not allow any kind of discrimination in this country. Think back to September 11, 2001. Did anyone think about the sexuality of anyone involved, victims or rescuers. I think not. They were people, Americans mostly, helping one another.
That’s what this country is about. Have we forgotten that lesson?
roberta munger sebastian in homestead, fl on October 17, 2008 at 09.31 am
“don’t ask; don’t tell” should be repealed because it is an archaic stance, based on fear and total lack of comprehension, perpetuated by individuals whose behavior and thought processes are generated from an emotional position rather than from facts - every single human being is just that: a human being - every single human being is equal - the remainder of details constitutes a person’s inalienable right to be who s/he is
Angie Jackson on October 17, 2008 at 09.23 am
For Bill Reque http://www.palmcenter.org is a good website to check out.
http://www.forplu.com is a website you may find helpful in finding an organization to join. You can google for organizations that are local. Hope this helps.
Bill Reque in San Francisco on October 16, 2008 at 09.46 pm
I was in a CIC [Counter Intelligence] Unit in the Far Eastern Command. The guysI worked with couldn’t have care less about anyone’s sexuality, and supported me though my ordeal….
Meanwhile after quite a few years, I want my pension.
Bill Reque in San Francisco on October 16, 2008 at 09.39 pm
OK…what I’d like to find is some sort of organization of those us who suffered under the anti-gay/lesbian regulations from the beginning of this pogram….
we really ought to get recognition for it.
Sue Dahlin in Washington on October 16, 2008 at 06.01 pm
As a woman serving in the armed forces the only men I ever felt truly safe around were the gay men in my unit. They were the most honorable people I knew in uniform and I think it is criminal that they have to hide who they are in order to serve.
Serving in the military is a choice few are willing to make. Why turn away personnel who truly want to be there? I think the military is grossly under-estimating their personnel by assuming they won’t accept openly gay members in their ranks. I argue that allowing them to serve openly, a unit is strengthened.
Gay men and women exist in every military unit, at every level. Forcing them to hide is the real damage to unit cohesion. If all members can’t be honest with each other, how close can they truly be? If they are not all treated equally and fairly, how much can they rely on each other when it truly counts?
Angie Jackson on October 16, 2008 at 05.43 pm
I served in the Navy from 1986-1992 and I had several friends serving that were lesbian and gay. NOBODY CARED!! The only time I guess it became a problem was when business was slow with investigative services and if they caught wind….my friends were interrogated and had to deny and lie. They did there jobs exactly the same as everyone else and would go about their business like everyone else. I resent paying tax dollars for investigations, training, and discharge for these individuals. Generally if a service member has a problem with homosexuality and lesbians, they had issues with other things as well. It is these discriminatting individuals that are the minority. I assure you there would be enough pressure from other service members for the discriminators to shut their mouths. If they are looking at someones sexuality, they are not doing their job and should be reprimanded.
Lee Rowan in American expat in Ontario on October 16, 2008 at 04.40 pm
NATO has had integrated military for years, as do many of its member nations. I think DADT and the previous glbt ban are just projections of fear. It’s as stupid a prejudice as the former ban on racial integration.
I think anyone expelled from the military for sexual orientation should be given honorable reinstatement and back pay—though given the abuse of the US military in the Iraq debacle, I don’t honestly see why anyone would want to be in the military under this “commander-in-chief” who never completed his own tour of duty.
JOshua W. in texas. san antonio on October 16, 2008 at 04.35 pm
because we are suppose to be a country free from and of oppression, govermental, or religous, especially when the people have every lawfull right to do what they are doing, aka homosexuality is not a crime, but between the anti american christianity opposing marriage and the overly zelous xian run goverment supporting dont ask our country is not a better place untill we over throw those things and become a freer better country, you know, like america WAS SUPPOSE TO BE!
Bill Reque on October 16, 2008 at 04.29 pm
I was a rather expensively trained Army intelligence agent, got “set up” while on duty back in 1948 and thrown out of the service. The charges were totally bogus.
When “DADT” gets thrown out, how about those of us who suffered under those old
regulations? Do we get our rank and pay back? Do we get our pensions back, plus one hell of an apology?
VaLorie on October 16, 2008 at 03.49 pm
As the g/f of a Womyn serving in the United States Armed Forces I am saddened to have to hide my relationship and love whenever we are in public. I was married to a Marine and loved every moment of being a military spouse. I miss the support and family I had in other military spouses.
We aren’t second class citizens and shouldn’t have to behave like one.
friend on October 16, 2008 at 03.08 pm
Because we cannot argue that an entire category of men and women are unfit to serve while demanding that those who currently serve do so in silence.
Because someone who chooses the life of the soldier deserves the right to pursue a meaningful and fulfilling life at home.
Because honor demands that the soldier be truthful to those with whom he serves.
Because humanity demands that he be honest with his loved ones.
Because he who serves earns the right to be heard.
low on October 16, 2008 at 02.42 pm
because it creates a second class of people with fewer civil rights than the primary group.
Shirley Stotko in Port Deposit, MD on October 16, 2008 at 02.39 pm
People should not have to hide who they are and live in fear others will find out. We need a military that permits everyone to serve and does not discriminate against others whose sexual preference may be different.
Amanda in TX on October 16, 2008 at 02.19 pm
- Because a person’s sexuality does not classify how well one can protect and serve our country. Why is it that Race, Color, Religion, Sex, National Origin and Disability are all protected from discrimination, but sexuality is not? It boils down to Equal Rights…
Glenna on October 16, 2008 at 01.56 pm
A person’s sexuality should have nothing to do with whether or not that person is serving in the armed services.
Concerned American on October 16, 2008 at 01.28 pm
Because we have many members of the armed services on multiple deployments. If we share the sacrifice, it will benefit all our forces.