Time to Get Real
We were pleased to read in Stars and Stripes a letter by Staff Sgt. Cory R. Schneckenburge, who reminded us, "There is a standard regarding sexual harassment that gays who are currently serving in our military are meeting and that will continue to be met if gays are permitted to serve openly. I suggest [critics and skeptics] get past their own fears and deal with the modern day integration in an honorable fashion befitting the U.S. military."
The Staff Sergent is responding to those who want to keep "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in place and who sexualize the argument, wildly speculating -- even day dreaming perhaps? -- about what could happen in the showers and foxholes. Get real.
First, give our service members more credit; they are professionals. Second, integration of gays and lesbians in the British and Israeli militaries (and in 24 other countries) has been a nonissue. Third, if by some slim chance there was misconduct by anyone, gay or straight, there are rules in place to deal with it.
U.S. engagement continues in Iraq and the Commander in Chief just announced his plan to add 17,000 service members in Afghanistan. With two wars and a military hurting for highly skilled men and women, we must allow all who are qualified and want to serve to have the freedom to do so - now more than ever.
03-27-09 By Kevin Nix, SLDN Communications Director |
1 Comments
Comments for this entry are closed.Marc Kapou in Waimanalo, HI on March 27, 2009 at 06.31 pm
I agree. There are stories that removing the policies will undermine unit co-hesion, when actually the DADT policy IS undermining unit cohesion in that professional military members are being fired, just because the military can do it anyway. Presently there are homosexual military members that are doing a fine job, but laden with anxiety while the DADT is at their backs ready to fire them just being born a homosexual. Imagine trying to balance a fight between a physical war and a mental/psychological war of fear, anxiety, and total helplessness in trying to suppress one’s innate sexuality. Sad.