When it comes to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," is there any reason why

[cboy4]

the Democrats shouldn't try to help end this discriminatory policy immediately!?

I mean seriously.

Haven't we thrown out enough translators who speak Arabic and the Iranian language of Farsi....simply because they're gay? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14052513

At least 36 countries allow openly gay people to serve including the U.K......EVEN POLAND! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_orientation_and_military_service

Below is a poster for Israel (which ALSO allows gay people to serve their country.)

Why does Israel allow it and not us? I've yet to hear anyone argue that country's very powerful defense force has been weakened because of "the gays."

COME ON MAJORITY PARTY....there's no reason for this form of discrimination in the United States of America.

And I'm still waiting for someone to offer a reasonable argument as to why Don't Ask, Don't tell should remain in place!!

[dsc]

1. I think it divides us to some extent

Many on our side want to see the Iraq situation taken care of first. IMO I would prefer ENDA to this but think we can and should do both.

[JackBeck]

2. I always hear the "unit cohesion" argument.

Never made sense to me.

[Monkeyman]

3. I will tell this once and only once

I had a Brother Vet in Nam who was gay. I did not know it no one else know it. This Brother was a hero. He saved allot of mens life's. He is still my friend and Brother but if the Army would of known he would of been tossed out. Then would my story be I died in Vietnam. Sometimes what is not said is best.

[dsc]

4. thanks for sharing that

that is a moving story.

[cboy4]

5. That is nice to hear.

:thumbsup:

[BOSSHOG]

6. There is no reason it should remain in place

I am a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer. I served with gays. The Straight guys who beat their wives, wrote hot checks, got drunk and showed up to work late or not at all were a problem but since they didn't crave cock they were considered no problem. How fucking asinine is that argument? But we deal with and spend countless hours and countless dollars tending to those deficiencies but by gawd at least they weren't gay. The military services provide counseling for alcholics and bad check writers and spouse abusers at a cost of millions but they are not gay so that's okay.

Bottom line: conservative values are a cancer on our country and on our military.

Hopefully a trolling conservative veteran can jump in here and explain to me why a gay can't be a good Soldier, Sailor, Airmen, Coastguardsmen. You hating them is not a reason they can't serve proudly.

[Monkeyman]

7. HooYa Brother Hog

Well said

[cboy4]

8. The argument I hear, and I've brought it up before, is straight

guys feel too uncomfortable showering with gay guys.

And I want to know why that is.

[Monkeyman]

9. I don't know the reason but small minded people

If a man or a women is gay so the hell what. My opinion is what they think he will attack them

[gratefultobelib]

10. So what if the straight guys feel "uncomfortable!" That's their problem and

I wouldn't spend any more time wondering why.

[cboy4]

12. I understand, but I do spend time wondering why because

it's that mentality which is making life very sad and uncomfortable for gay service members.

If and when the ban is lifted, then I'll stop concerning myself. ;)

[Nickster]

18. I think it's a matter of men feeling uncomfortable about being in the situation

that they themselves put women in and they don't know how to deal with it. They see women as sexual objects and they don't want to be seen as sexual objects by other men because they feel that they have power over women, but not over other men. I think the possibility of being seen as a sexual object by another man would make them feel weak and not in control.

I'm not saying that I feel this way. It's just my two cents about what I think homophobes think.

[cboy4]

20. Hmmm. Well, I don't think they're concerned about feeling "weak

and not in control," although you could be correct.

I just think they feel uncomfortable because they're worried a gay person will get all turned on seeing them naked in the shower or in the barracks and then try to make a move.

At least that's what I've heard.

[Nickster]

25. That's what they say, but I don't believe that. Maybe that's what they tell themselves, but

if that situation happened to me, I'd say no thanks, not into that. It's not like I'm going to be forced into having gay sex or anything. He would have all the same bits as me, so it's not like I'd really have to hide anything. He can hit on me all he wants, it would just be frustrating for him. I do think it's a matter of straight men putting themselves into the situations that they put straight women in. They get sexually aroused,they hit on a woman, they get turned down, they try to force themselves on the woman.

I dunno, like I've discussed with you before, I just don't get homophobes. Too many other important things in this world to focus on then hating someone for who they love.

[cboy4]

26. I just think it's funny/weird/sad/ironic/silly that there are *some*

soldiers and Marines who bravely dodge bullets for our country, yet are uneasy about a gay comrade seeing them naked. LOL!!!

Too much!

But of course, you know this.

I always appreciate your words of wisdom and support bud. Seriously. ;)

[sarge43]

13. Because sexual predation can be scary.

Well, welcome to the club said the old woman. As said before if the UCMJ had an article specifically prohibiting predation within the ranks, a fair share of the problems would be eliminated. And before I'm jumped on, I'm well aware that gays and lesbians are no more predators than straights; I'm very well aware of that. I was never harassed by another servicewoman. I wish I had a dime for every time I had to wipe a serviceman's paw prints off my pelt.

As for unit cohesion, that's a crock. Cohesion is damage by setting members of the unit against another and DADT does exactly that. So long as service members have to hide their orientation, they are at odds with the unit.

The other real reason for the government sponsored homophobia is it allows for an enemy when no others are available; it's a distraction.

[xchrom]

14. but they DO and always HAVE.

to any conservative vets out there -- you've been in fox holes, fire fights, showers, mess, drunk, whatever -- ALL with gay men.

whether you like it or not -- they were there.

[Glorfindel]

11. Thanks, Boss! As always, you said it just right.

:toast:

[Bronyraurus]

15. Perfectly idiotic

And I think that the Demcratic Party can jump on this bandwagon by standing up for both homosexuals and love of country. It really is a case of discriminating against a minority for the sole reason that that minority is disliked by the majority. That's not a problem with the minority, that's a problem with the majority, and the majority needs to change.

[gollygee]

16. Very well put

"It really is a case of discriminating against a minority for the sole reason that that minority is disliked by the majority. That's not a problem with the minority, that's a problem with the majority, and the majority needs to change."

:thumbsup:

[Bronyraurus]

21. Thanks, Golly

One thing I secretly liked about my new Governor, Charlie Crist, is that he might be gay. Lordy, do these crackers down here in Florida need a bit more familiarity with homosexuals! You would be shocked by the bullshit I hear almost everyday from otherwise nice people. And it only stems from ignorance!

[sarge43]

17. Yes. n/t

[jesus_of_suburbia]

19. The Christians, Muslims, and Jews won't allow it...

They will go down fighting to discriminate against gays and lesbians.

[dsc]

22. Jews are actually more likely to support marriage equity

than LGBT people themselves. They aren't the problem.

[cboy4]

24. And in fact, you can join the military in Israel as I pointed out

in my OP.

[cboy4]

23. I appreciate what you're saying, but I don't think it's good to

generalize like that.

Not all Christians, Muslims and Jews are anti-gay.

[DKRC]

27. Definitely need to end DADT

I've seen the vindictive witchhunts the military conduct first-hand.
I grew up in a Southern town outside a military base, and over the years had the honor of being a beard for some of the guys rotating in. Great guys, great service records, but because they were gay they were in danger of losing their careers.
I'm happy to say I really spiked the gears in a number of witchhunts. But, how much energy wasted on all sides as they had to hide who they were while the homophobes tried to ferret them out.