I don’t necessarily want them to over turn Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Now, before you freak out, hear me out. I know that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is supposed to “protect” gays and lesbians in the military by “allowing” them to serve and maintain a “sexuality free” service. We all know why I used quotation marks around all of the “principles” behind DADT. We all know that gays and lesbians will be persecuted in the military no matter what, regardless of so-called “regulations” that should be preventing it. We all know that gays and lesbians that are of the “obvious” persuasion (i.e., you can tell without them telling), are always in danger of being beaten up, or worse (see Barry Winchell’s story to understand how “successful” that was; yeah right), and this policy does nothing to help that, it is just persecution.
So basically, I get that DADT is supposed to protect gays and lesbians on the inside, by keeping them quiet about their sexuality, and thus “hidden” from the others that want to hurt them (or at least, that is how they spin it to make us feel more comfortable, when we all know it is blatant discrimination because it is based on the notion that we are the ones that are “different”, and should just conform); or, more importantly and more discriminatory, it is supposed to keep all the other GLBT out of the service, right? Well, I honestly say, while I don’t think that this policy is doing any of the proposed “protective features” of the first part, and is in fact, just perpetuating hate (and for the record, that definitely needs to be reformed or removed all together; although, with such a homophobic bunch going into and serving in the military, is a policy really going to change attitudes and behaviors? Um… no); I personally am FINE with the second part. I say, if you don’t want us, we don’t want to serve.
Now, to some of you that know that I am the biggest “out and proud”, “let’s not be second class!”, “we are all equal” person out there, but in this case, I just don’t give a shit. I obviously am speaking FOR MYSELF, so before you shit a brick, and start pacing up and down the sidewalk (hopefully not at the same time), hear me out. I don’t agree with war. A lot of people know that about me, so that isn’t a shock. So, is it so much of a shock to draw the line between me not agreeing with war, and me not wanting to serve in a war? Now that you are following me, keep up; not serving a war because the government hates you and doesn’t want you to? Does that sound like a perfect out or what? I say, since the government says “fuck all” to me all of the time with basically every aspect of my life and in regards to ALL of my rights, I don’t even want to sit back for one second and consider serving in the military. Period. I don’t think that you can tell me I am second class, and then expect me to step up and “do my duty”, THAT is being a hypocrite.
I don’t see my position as hypocritical, though; I see it as practical. I fight for my rights. I fight for my freedom. But this is one thing that I am willing to let slide. Nothing less, nothing more, so don’t read into it anymore than is there. I just don’t see this as a burning issue for ME, so that is where I stand on it. YES, I think that DADT is BULLSHIT! and should be struck down NOW. But, will I be sad if I can’t serve in the military for a war I don’t believe in, because there is a law that persecutes against me? Hell the fuck no. For once, I don’t mind drinking from the “homosexuals only” fountain, and when I say for once, I mean, only this once. Don’t say you hate me, and then expect me to serve my country, because it ain’t gonna happen.
Now, you may all rip me to shreds, because I know that you think that I am hypocrite, even though I so eloquently stated that I am not.
I don’t think you’re a hypocrite but only because to you, the issue of disagreeing with military all together supercedes your issue with homosexuals being treated differently. Wow… I’m not sure I even undertand that sentence, but whatever.
I think DADT is a crock and should be done away with. I don’t necessarily believe it condones hatred towards homosexuals as you say but it does single them out as different. That’s silly.
Our country is made up of 1000s of different types of people from gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, to whatever else… there is no reason to expect our military to be any different.
If any member of the military is treated unfairly for any reason, they should be able to file a grievance and have that issue resolved. With that said, race, religion, sexual orientation, and whatever should never come to play in that grievance. I totally disagree with that ‘hate law’ nonsense. In my opinion, it does more harm than good. In fact, it singles groups of people out just like the DADT policy does. Again, silly.
That’s just my two cents…
I don’t think you’re a hypocrite, Duane… I think you’re a normal human being! Everybody has personal beliefs that might seem to conflict with their bigger “ideologies” - but very few admit it.
Let’s have each other’s babies now.
BABIES!!!
And dave: I LOVE YOUR COMMENT! For the most part; but one thing I have a problem with (which I don’t think is a reflection on you at all) is this:
Reason being, as with the case I mentioned, Barry Winchell, he did file a grievance, so did his parents when he died, but nothing was done. Sure the kid that beat him to death is in prison, but um, he beat a guy to death for being gay (whether or not Barry was actually gay or not is irrelevant, that kid acted because he believed Barry was)! I think the family deserves some sort of answers as to why the military dropped the ball.
Also, I don’t know if you meant “hate crime laws”; because I disagree if you did. I think that hate crime laws attempt to make a punishment stronger for something that is obviously a MUCH worse crime than simple violence. I think that we should have hate crime laws, and actually use them! But that isn’t the same as DADT, which, as you said, singles people out and actually makes them more vulnerable (either internally, or externally).
I did mean ‘hate crimes’ but seeing as how that is not the topic of your post, I’ll leave it alone.
Obviously the military needs to be better prepared to handle any grievances filed. They should all be viewed objectively and acted upon fairly. That should be the case whether they remove DADT or not.
I’m glad we finally agree on something… if only partially!
this should be one of the things clinton is most ashamed of, not getting head in the oval.
the thing you have to remember is that even though a bunch of conservative, wannabe “christian,” psychopaths don’t want gays in the military, millions of other americans love their gay brothers and sisters, neighbors, children, cousins, students, etc. many gay men and women want to protect their country and there are plenty of americans worth protecting.
i DO wish those assholes who are haters would join the frontlines, though. don’t you?
“…I say, since the government says “fuck all” to me all of the time with basically every aspect of my life and in regards to ALL of my rights…”
It does? Every aspect? ALL of your rights?
Maybe not ALL of them, but it sure feels like that sometimes.
Yeah, quite right, Duane! If they don’t want us, we don’t want to serve.
See, I told you the new you looks gorgeous on the main page! How do you keep your teeth so white and bright?
I use a fucking toothbrush.
In case you didn’t get that, it wasn’t me being a dick, it was me doing a dane cook reference. In seriousness, I have had my teeth professionally whitened. I used the custom trays and the gel. Everyone should do this, because there are stains in practically everything you eat that can’t be removed by just brushing.
You use a toothbrush?? I use a garden broom. Maybe that’s why…
http://www.sldn.org
I had my teeth professionally whitened, too, but it doesn’t last forever. Every now and then I have to use the gel overnight again. But the results in the morning are usually striking!
Now, I also think there’s a limit to teeth whitening… there’s a point where it starts to look creepy and unnatural. Who else here remembers that Ben Stiller Show skit where he’s doing a parody of Tony Robbins, and he says, “I hypnotize you with my teeth and you pay me money!!”
“Now, you may all rip me to shreds, because I know that you think that I am hypocrite, even though I so eloquently stated that I am not.”
Calling you a hypocrite would be harsh. But what is right for you is not always right for others. One survey based on census data shows that approximately 3 percent of military personnel are gay (active and reserve duty combined — that’s 65,000 people).
Some of these are my friends, and they are currently serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and I believe one is still in the former Yugoslavia. They deserve better than the travesty President Clinton brought us in “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Pursue.” Despite the “don’t pursue” portion, the Pentagon did pursue during Clinton’s term (one friend in the Air Force was booted when an ex sent his commander an online profile) and now with the lost Arabic translators.
I do agree with you on “hate” laws. We want equality, not preferential status.
You know if they ever brought back the draft, don’t ask don’t tell would be immediately eliminated.