They Didn't Ask, She Didn't Tell, and Yet...

It's a good thing the Atlantic doesn't have a "don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding gays. Andrew would be out the door since he's openly gay. The military discharged quite a few gay service men that were fluent in Arabic at a time when we desperately needed interpreters. You can argue that might not have been a wise move. Straights and gays both have the same goal...to serve and protect our country. Patriotism swings both ways.

"Three-quarters of Americans think gay members of the military should be able to serve openly."

Has anyone in the press asked the TROOPS how they feel about these grand plans?

Sexual orientation, like race, religion, politics, hair color, and favorite team, may not be grounds for immediate dismissal in some quarters, but the idea that we're a nation of uncaring, unthinking homophobes is patently ludicrous.

This issue is more akin to the debate over having women in combat zones, than it is some discriminatory social engineering discussion.

There are many, many people in the military that still think it was a mistake to put women in harm's way (poor upper body strength, lack of girth) and that the decision to do so has in fact made units more vulnerable. Even in forward logistical chores alone, this will not go away as an issue, i.e. proximity to combat areas where females may in fact have to engage the enemy beyond clerical duties.

But forget that, let's talk about gay sex.

Because the Christians in the armed forces really shouldn't have any say, if the press and academics dictate our moral compass.

Note: Polls indicate that blacks (about 20% of modern Army members) are far more opposed to gays in the military than are whites.

If an accurate DNA test for natural born gayness becomes available, what will that mean to the medical industry and schools and media (never mind the military)?

Should gays be excluded from such activities, due to their penchant for unprotected sex?

Or do we just skip over that part, in any discussion?

I assume that an openly gay Army member would be open about their STD charts too, correct?

Or do they get to pick and choose their Private Ryanish proclivities, cafeteria Kennedy style, and still on the taxpayer's dime?

The libs think this is a simple issue, with a simple solution.

Nothing could be more liberal.

DNC Plan For AIDS Treatment:

LET THE ARMY DO IT.

= MARIN COUNTY ACCOMPLISHED =

As the CNN article you link to points out Amy, it's expected to come up for a vote this calendar year - that's pretty fast for Congress.

hulagate gets awfully theatrical when gayness comes up, don't you think?
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But forget that, let's talk about gay sex.
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Throw in tax cuts, and that's pretty much the GOP's domestic policy shop, right there.

Since you ask...I did ask my brother in law how he feels about gays in the military. My BIL is an active duty Marine, currently stationed in 29 Palms. He is been in the Marine Corp for the last 12 years. He stated that having gays in the military, serving in any capacity, does not bother him.

hula
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You dumb phucking bumpkin look at the numbers ass hole. The members of the military ARE serving along side gays and lesbians. The only difference is right now those gays and lesbians can't say they are gay and lesbian. If over 12,000 have been discharged since DADT just imagine how many more just hide it and nobody has a problem with them. How phucking stupid is that?
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By the way hula, everybody knows that the people who are most homophobic are the same ones who are out trolling gay bars at night. Sound familiar?

Wow, I always knew that QH was ignorant but I had no idea his delusionary visions ran quite so deep. I find the notion that straights don't also possess a "prenchant for unprotected sex" particulaty remarkable.

Probably doesn't want to emulate the whole Clinton fiasco. But I agree, there's no need to wait for this discriminatory policy.

" due to their penchant for unprotected sex"
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You IS the craziest lady on the interwebs.

See what happens when Wal-Mart comes to town? Maybe the Phelps Phools will sta

Sorry – my comments are getting posted in mid-draft. I must be suffering from FFS (Fat Finger Syndrome).
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As I was saying, maybe the Phelps Phools will start picketing Wal-Mart for letting lesbians shop there.

Personally I regret Hula's parents penchant for unprotected sex.

Should gays be excluded from such activities, due to their penchant for unprotected sex?
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I assume you speak from experience.

I understand that 17-24 year olds also have a particular penchant for unprotected sex. Perhaps they should be barred from the military as well.

Funnily enough, I'm in the middle of transferring from the Kansas to the Missouri National Guard. I've always been all-male units, either artillery or infantry. We actually talked about the repeal of DADT at drill this past weekend. The main points of concern were how much bullsh!t this would inject into our lives. (separate showers, more pointless harassment classes, separate housing/barracks areas, etc.)
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But yeah, pretty much everyone agreed we a) needed the people and b) gays > felons and the mentally retarded. (seriously, there've been like three cases in the last year where some recruiter got a retarded kid all the way to MEPS. and GT scores have been dropping like rocks the last few years.)

gays > felons and the mentally retarded
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I don't know if I'd print that up and put it on t-shirts and banners, but it's a compelling argument.
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Seriously, Sean, nice post, thanks for the insight. I love that "The main points of concern were how much bullsh!t this would inject into our lives"-- now that sounds like the military!
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Or pretty much any large organization.

I can't help but notice that Sean's post includes the assumtion that gays would require segreagation from barracks and showers, etc. Do I dare tell him that he's ALREADY sharing barracks and showers with gays?
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It would appear that the knowlege of someone's orientation appears more dangerous than that orientation itself. Interesting.

Paul,
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You obviously don't understand how the military works. Gays would require separate showers and barracks for the same reason women do. Can't have the sexes mixing in a way that could possibly lead to sex. Harassment claims and all that. The only times I've every served with women are in training environments/schools. It sucks. You can't even take your shirt off in the bay if there's a chick in the building, even if she's on a different floor. 40 guys will have about 1/2 hour to use the latrine. 6 chicks will get the same amount of time. It's a big damn bunch of hassle.
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Also, you spelled assumption wrong, but interestingly enough in a way that highlights the "making an assumption makes an ass-u-me" saying.

You've missed my point. Under the current policy - you're already sharing showers.

Sean--
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There was an op-ed this past weekend in the NYT from a sergeant(?) who served two or three tours in Iraq. He said the experience had changed his mind about gays in the military. He made no mention of expecting separate accommodation. I don't actually see how that would work--would you be required to declare your sexual preference? And what do you do with bisexuals?
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QH:
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Note: Polls indicate that blacks (about 20% of modern Army members) are far more opposed to gays in the military than are whites.
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What polls? When were they taken?
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Links, please...

Sean:
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Gays would require separate showers and barracks for the same reason women do. Can't have the sexes mixing in a way that could possibly lead to sex. Harassment claims and all that.
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Is that merely a matter of poorly designed or implemented policy?
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Is the statute or regulation unclear enough to cause bad policy that focuses on ass-covering?
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Do also you happen to know if this is how the Israelis operate, btw?

Stuart - I have no idea how the Israelis handle it. Mostly this stuff would be implemented for ass-covering purposes. But also for harassment claims/issues.
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Paul - I don't care. Reality and Officiality are two entirely different things. Officially gay service members means official policies on showers, housing, and everything else.
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Jay - I have no idea how it'll work. I'm just glad I'm not the one who'll have to write the regs on it. Probably a pretty crap work group to get assigned to.