A break from health care reform. The Obama administration has apparently finally embarked on the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy implemented during the first Clinton administration. Reinforcing the conclusion that he was just as much a politician that will say whatever needs saying to be elected (except he didn’t succeed), John McCain has done a 180 degree turn from his previous position and now is “disappointed” in Joint Chief of Staff Admiral Mullen’s opinion that gays in the military pose no problem. It’s difficult to fathom why McCain needs to curry conservative favor at this point in his political career–at his age and his showing in the last election he has no future in politics. Anyway, assuming the gossip is correct, if Alexander the Great was in fact gay, then why should being gay in the 21st century U.S. military pose a problem? With an all-volunteer service having at least some difficulty getting people to enlist when the real likelihood of posting to a combat zone is high, why discourage gays from joining? It is time to end the charade. Let them in and leave them alone.
Tags: Don't Ask Don't Tell, gays in the military, McCain, Obama
February 15th, 2010 at 1:53 am
Who cares about Alexander’s sexual likes and dislikes? I don’t see the relevance to the current issue. But once again, no one asks the right questions. This is not a matter of gay rights, it’s an issue of military effectiveness. Will male and female heterosexual soldiers, sailors, and marines feel comfortable showering with those who would like to bed them? If not, can they get over it? If so, what is the argument against men and women showering together?
Merging the men and women into a single force with equal duties would save a lot of money. Why not?
Notice that I am not taking a position. I’m only asking the questions that others don’t have the guts to ask. I leave it to other to come up with the answers. It’s been a long time since I was a marine. Maybe everyone showers in private now. But let’s stop acting like this is some kind of discrimination issue and look at it realistically.
Bob
February 23rd, 2010 at 2:54 pm
I reference Alexander only to note that a possibly gay individual was evidently quite successful at leading an army into battle. Similarly, there are numerous other countries whose militaries have no problem with mixing homosexuals and heterosexuals. I am in complete agreement with you that military effectiveness is the overriding concern, hence my conclusions and observations. I never lived in a college dorm but I have been surprised that they are now coed in many cases and that there are apartment dwellers who have roommates of the opposite sex with whom they are not sexually involved. I have no idea how or why problems are avoided, but perhaps that is just the way people are today–much the same as many younger people today do not have the same hangups with racial differences as did their parents. Does that mean the military should have unisex showers? I don’t know; probably not. But whereever you go, to gyms, the showers of professional sports teams, the YMCA, etc., you will find people who may be attracted to the same sex. That doesn’t seem to stop people from showering after exercise or ruining the competitive edge of NFL teams. I suspect that those who have desires for sex with someone of the same gender have the good sense, in MOST cases of not openly expressing that desire to someone that have no reason to believe will appreciate it. Obviously, mistakes happen and people get into fights. But why should the military have any more problem with this than any other institution. Given the need for competent volunteers, I agree with the current military leaders who see the days of “don’t ask; don’t tell,” as past.