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Ask, tell, whatever

12:06 PM 12/20/2010
Jim Treacher

As somebody who’s considered a conservative, or at least a conservative sympathizer, I’m probably expected to be up in arms about the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. But I’m really not. I was ambivalent about it to begin with, and the more I think about it, the more I’m okay with putting it aside.

The way I see it, making the sacrifice to serve your country is one of the noblest things you can do. If you’re physically and mentally fit to serve, can we really afford to turn you away? Isn’t stopping the bad guys more important than protecting the feelings of people who hate gays?

I understand that there will be drawbacks, unintended consequences. It’s going to be tough at first for gays in the military who come out, but it’ll be their choice to make. I understand the concept of unit cohesion, but I also know we have the greatest military in the history of the world. I trust that they can make it work. They stopped the Nazis; are they really going to fall apart over the Nancies?

This isn’t to say that if you’re gay you have the right to serve, or that you’re entitled to it and anybody who says differently is a big meanie and you get to scream at them. No. That might make you feel better, but no. I just figure, hey, we can use all the help we can get defending America.

Besides, it’ll give the terrorists yet another reason to hate us. The Gitmo detainees already go out of their minds when addressed directly by a female with her whole face showing. Just think how these 12th-Century dip$#!+s will react when they get their butts kicked by some gay dudes. It’ll just add to the humiliation.

Also: Gary Johnson said so. And the Dems have had a really bad couple of months. They need a victory to cling to.

Okay, go ahead and yell at me in the comments. If haranguing a cripple makes you feel better…

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  • toddthesofaking

    whether or not the repeal of DADT is detrimental to military readiness is of minor importance when we consider the alternative: offending the sensibilities of Lady Gaga.

  • butters

    By your logic, Treach, should we abort more babies, too, since that will also piss off Muslims who are overwhelmingly anti-abortion. (yeah, I’m aware of their contradiction) I’m just saying you can say they have a point about Western decadence without actually being on their side. Admitting gays into the military just to piss off Muslims is not a good reason. I understand you don’t think it’s a big deal and therefore are facetious about it but us ‘homophobes’ may have a serious point that people are waving away not because they’re poor arguments but because they’re just uncomfortable talking about it. As for the tired argument about putting aside ‘social’ issues in favour of ‘fiscal’ ones, gee, I wonder why libertarians would want that? So next year you’ll help us with the social issues? 10 years? 20 years?

    • Jim Treacher

      Well, that’s an interesting perspective.

      • toddthesofaking

        you seem really upset by this. try not to take it so personally. have a good rest of the day.

        • Jim Treacher

          I’m not sure what gave you that impression, but I’ll try.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Raney-Hogue/1284023724 RetiredE9

    I spent most of 30 years in the military and I’m afraid of what the repeal is going to do to the military. Saturday’s repeal just made the U.S. military the target for every gay advocacy group in the U.S. we are going to see all sorts of legal challenges that is going to tie up and distract our military leaders for years at the exact same time their attention should be totally taken up by the wars.

    In those states that have same sex marriage are we going to have military housing requests for same sex spouses? Medical benefits? In my opinion this issue is going to be raised and soon. I suspect those benefits will be granted. What reason can the services use to deny them? Then if our gay soldier transfer to another post in another state that doesn’t recognize same sex marriages will they still be eligible for those benefits?

    I think we have just witnessed the beginning of a national campaign for same sex marriage.

    I’m also fearful of the real reaction of the troops, not those manufactured feel good surveys the Pentagon keeps publishing. That 70% approval number is pure BS, the survey was rigged. The surveys were sent to home addresses and each survey had a unique tracking number. One active duty friend said because he opposed repeal of DADT he was afraid that if he responded his objection would be noted somewhere and might hurt his career so he just threw it away.

    I’ve been in combat with people I did not trust for one reason or another, not because they were gay, and that kind of environment is corrosive to unit morale and effectiveness. That gets people killed.

    I’m very uneasy with this repeal.

  • BillyShaft

    I believe there is a difference between “Men who happen to be Gay”, and “Gay Men”.

    “Men who happen to be gay” are just like me. Concerned for their families, work hard and keep their private matters largely private. They don’t want any special treatment or protections, but want to be judged based on their character and abilities. They want to serve their country and act appropriately when living in close contact with other men.

    “Gay Men” are different in that being gay is so critical that they self-identify as Gay Men. Seemingly every aspect of their lives is viewed through the prism of being gay. While I enjoy some of the over-the-top activities of this group (and certainly do not hate them) I would not want to serve in a war-zone or live on top of each other as is so common in military environments.

    I have served with “Men who happen to be Gay” and would be glad to do so again. I have no desire to serve with “Gay Men” and have seen several of them get themselves into trouble and get themselves discharged for their antics.

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