Military Veterans Push for Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

[LnGrrrR]

So if youre OK with the infrequent killing of sexuals by phobic re s in the military in the name of personal liberty and freedom, thats fine.

Yes, this is what I'm saying, and I'm sure gays who openly serve will know that risk as well. I say, let THEM make the decision for themselves. Isn't that the fair thing to do?

[Anti.Hero]

The Spartans ed one another to increase comradery on the battle field.

Whatever works

[8ft.tall.tejano]

, i can't imagine being in combat next to a .

He can take his filthy sinning ass somewhere else tbh.

my guess is that you never served...some of the most value driven, gung ho, hi-speed soldiers that i met were gay...closeted...no fam to worry about, nothing but love of country and sense of duty...i was honored to serve next to them and even more so that they trusted me w/their secret...

Yes, this is what I'm saying, and I'm sure gays who openly serve will know that risk as well. I say, let THEM make the decision for themselves. Isn't that the fair thing to do?

so true...and like any soldier, sailor, airmen, or even marine, gay or straight, once someone proves them self to not be an idiot or screw up, they get the respect they deserve...

[AFBlue]

Yes, it would change. How long do you think the military should wait to integrate?

Historically, the military has been ahead of the curve in many civil rights causes. Who were the first blacks to be freed? Those freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, which allowed them to join the service during the Civil War. When did blacks become integrated in the military? 1948, six years before Brown v Board of Education outlawed separate but equal.

As for some ideas of how many people now support allowing open gays in the military, here's some links for you.

From Pew, on increased acceptance of gays in military: http://people-press.org/report/273/l...litary-service

From militarytimes.com, on how there is no empirical evidence that allowing gays to serve has any noticeable detrimental effect: http://www.militarytimes.com/news/20...litary_070708/

From militarytimes.com, an article stating that over 500 troops are serving while openly gay without yet being discharged: http://www.militarytimes.com/news/20...troops_080108/

From ABCNews, a poll showing that nearly every major group is in the majority for supporting openly gay soldiers: http://abcnews.go.com/PollingUnit/Po...5387980&page=1

Finally, from Zogby, a poll showing that the majority of troops are fine with openly gay soldiers: http://www.logoonline.com/news/story...entTypeID=1299

All the evidence shows that a majority of people are for allowing openly gay soldiers to serve.

I waited three pages for someone to make this point.

If they repeal the current policy there will most assuredly be consequences and situations to resolve. If the biggest concern is over whether to create seperate bathroom/shower facilities, I would think the military (in typical fashion) would say...deal with it.

Sure, you'd lose some military members that objected and you'd have some cases of discrimination and harrassment on both sides. But in the end, it's the right thing to do. If someone chooses to admit their sexual preference they should not be penalized for it....period, bottom line.

[Spur-Addict]

I can definitely see what youre saying, but persecution at school/work/the bar is far different from persecution on a battlefield.

People at work arent required to carry M16 rifles and know how to use them.

I forgot about Police Officers, yeah, Gay police officers. Do they not work with others who are armed with firearms? I think that's a comparable analogy. We also have private security, etc.