This week we will begin a discussion on same sex marriage. We will learn how homosexuals have almost no legal protections in the United States. To further expand our discussion I would like to devote this week's blog to examining the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy regarding homosexuals in the military.
The policy was enacted by President Clinton in 1994. President Clinton who initially said he wanted to overturn the ban on homosexuals in the military, ended up compromising for the controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. The policy makes it illegal for commanders to ask their subordinates about their sexual orientation, and it also bans homosexuals from openly discussing or engaging in openly homosexual behaviors. Over 13,000 troops have been discharged under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy since its was first introduced.
President Obama has repeatedly said he wants to end the Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and allow homosexuals to serve openly in the military, however he has yet to set a time table. You can view President Obama give his thoughts at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2xzRMLmEoI.
Regardless of the outcome of this policy, it is certain to be controversial, with both supporters and opponents fueling the fire.
So, this week I would first like you to view President Obama's comments. My question to you is "Do you think "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy should be overturned? Do you think there should be a new policy regarding homosexuals in the military in its place? Why do you think this is such a controversial issue?" Answers are due no later than Thursday, October 22nd, 2009.
In America we have the right of choice. The choice of car we drive, the food we eat, the religion we are, and this list could go on and on. However, if we are gay we cannot choose to serve our country. I feel America is worth dying for and I am sure there are countless gays and lesbians who feel the same way. Becasue I am straight I was given the right to join the service and I did and I am proud of that fact. There are those who have been restricted from doing the same thing not because of a physical condition or a question of their citizenship, but merely because of their sexual oreintation. This is a travesty in my opinion. I have three daughters and though I disagree with a gay lifestyle on a moral level, if one of my daughters decide they are a lesbian they will not stop being my daughter due to that decision. In America Uncle Sam wants you and has since World War II, but only if you are straight. That is a crock! Sexual oreintation should not effect your patriotism and desire to serve this country that proudly promotes itself as the melting pot of the world. Some things should be left up to God. This should not be a governmental issue in my opinion. In short, you should not ask and I should not have to tell, but if I choose to it should not effect what I can become or what I can obtain as long as I am following the laws of the land.
ReplyDeleteBruce A. Wilson
I am on the fence regarding this issue. On one hand, I believe that an individual should be allowed to serve his or her country without having to identify or explain his or her sexual preference. The matter should be handled as if they were in a professional setting. Then on the other hand, issues may occur if an individual’s sexual orientation is not known, but is abruptly discovered. No one should be discriminated against for any reason, and sexual preference should not be a reason to dismiss someone from serving their country. I think there is more negative concern for male gay soldiers as opposed to female gay soldiers. I have a friend that just openly admitted she was gay and the only issue she seems to have with people accepting her choice is with her friends/ family, not in the army. This is such a controversial issue in the military because it is controversial in America. I think the issue is magnified in the military because these people represent America, and America (government) does not support homosexuals.
ReplyDeleteDesaree Jones
Homosexuals have been in the military for as long as it has existed. It is impossible to keep them out. A person should not have to lie about who they are. I hope that someday homosexuals can serve openly in the military. A persons sexual orientation has nothing to do with their ability to serve their country any more than than the color of their skin. ALL people should have equal rights.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, most of the controversy stems from strong religious beliefs. As a christian I was taught not to judge others and I feel that the government should not judge either. In talking with friends who have served in the military I have come to understand that it is those outside the military that make this a bigger issue than those who are in the armed forces. There is no other profession in this country that has a don't ask don't tell policy. Why should the military be any different. There should not be laws or legislation on this topic, it should be a non-issue.
i agree with bruce on this one. my opinion on this matter is that we are in the land of the free and while i dont share or beleive there lifestyle is right they should have the freedom of fighting for there country. the prefered lifestyle of people should not play into if they should be able to defend there country or not.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone taken the time to think about it in reality? I am certain Bruce knows what I am talking about when I say, think about the life of a soldier while in the forces. There are reasons the sleeping quarters seperate men and women, unless I am wrong about that. I hope I am not, as that will completely negate my point.
ReplyDeleteNow that you are thinking about the relations between male and female, take the time to think about the opposite with either gender. How many things could happen between two people who are involved with each other physically or emotionally? I know from experience this may come as a big problem. The possibility of this problem may have something to do with the law or arguement for such a ban. I am unaware of the reasoning for it, but hey think elsewhere.
If you pay direct attention to the wording of Obama's interview, you will see how he mentions one action he is taking or planning to get this changed. A few times he mentions how 'I want to see this changed'. However, I am not convinced he will strive for this. He is a representative, and speaks as one. Nothing is definite or strongly portrayed. This is why I despise viewing politics. He told me nothing. This is why I am clueless when it comes to government issues, because I pay attention to what is and is not said.
In case I wasn't clear, I was referring to same gender sleeping in the same quarters.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Bruce because America is worth dying for and if i was in a gun fight with someone over in iraq or any other war that is going to come i am not going to ask the person if they are gay. I really would not give a crap. As long as they are there to do the same job as me then it does not matter. Uncle Sam says he wants you. Did he say i want you but i need to ask you a few questions no.
ReplyDeleteI have some positive out looks with the previous posting from the class, about homosexuals in the military. The way I personally feel is that, these conflicts are what's wrong with the world now, looking outside in. Rather then looking inside out of a person. No matter if the person is homosexual and wants to dedicate their life to serve for the military, why should they not be able to? People right now couldn't even imagine even stepping foot into any part of the military, so why should the sexuality of a person who does be stop for that?
ReplyDeleteI know I'm asking questions with a question, but it bothers me to know that the sexuality can make such a fuss to sever their country just as any other man. We all as humans bleed the same color blood , which is red. So why does it make a difference to fight the same fight for the country we live in? In conclusion I disagree with the commotion of homosexual in the military, because they are American just like the next man in line. ~ Anesia M. ~
This is a sticky topic.....Desaree made a good point about how soldiers represent America and American does not support homosexual. I believe that one of the reasons why the government does not support homosexuality is because of the Christian beliefs that the country was founded upon. However, last week Bruce made a statement that’s very true. I'm not sure if I'm quoting him correctly, but it was something to this affect that if a person’s life is in danger, will the person in danger stop to asked the other person that’s helping them what is their sexual lifestyle. I don’t agree with this lifestyle, however, they are first human beings before they chose this lifestyle, and that being said they should have a right to work a job that they choose…..even if it’s the job of being in the military. Lee Jackson
ReplyDelete13,000 troops who were willing to sign up and join our military were kicked out due to their sexual preference. This is ridiculous! Homosexual beings are citizens of this country, pay their taxes and some are willing to sacrifice their lives in joining the military because they believe in serving our nation. Basically the "Don't ask, Don't tell law is a joke in this present day. It was once a step in the right direction, to move forward while working with peoples' prejudices, but it is time that we face the reality of our country. Homosexuals are NOT lesser human beings and hold every right any other citizen holds. I personally know of a hand full of gay people who worked on Clinton's and Obama's campains and their brains are good enough to work along side our country's presidents. What does this say?
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that the military has found ways to integrate women into the mix, when accommodations had to be laid out and planned. Gay men and women don't need any extra effort, they can join in the mix without any additional bathrooms or sleeping quarters. If homesexuals can't leagally marry and join they military without hiding their sexuality, then all they leasons of our past history such as, slavery, African Americans and women's rights , laws against segregation- all of these prejudeces that we have fought to overcome is still repeating itself. We still haven't learned from our past. If we had learned from our past, we would have leagal marriage for gay couples and a larger military.
I think that anyone should have the right to fight for their country no matter what their sexual orientation is. See I don't know why people have such a big problem with homsexualality. It's that person's choice to be that way, its their problem not yours so let them be. People just need to worry about themselves and their family. If they want your opinion, they'll ask. The government needs to concentrate more on the economy then on people who have a different sexual orientation then what is considered normal. I don't think it is a problem until someone makes it a problem. WE ALL SHOULD BE TREATED EQUALLY. It seems like everyone has a problem with being equal. Maybe one day we will get to that point but it seems like it's a long way off from now.
ReplyDeleteIsn't everyone suppose to be treated equally? I don't think it's right for homosexuals to be treated the way they are treated. People shouldn't judge othere people just because they are different then them. See that's what's wrong with Americans these days. I believe that if a person is a homosexual then people should respect them and let them live their lives. I think that it is really stupid how they are banned from serving the military if they wanted to. They have a right just like everyone else. So why treat homosexuals differently it's not like their bothering anybody. They should have the right to serve for their country just like everyone else.
ReplyDeleteShould the policy be overturned?
ReplyDeleteYes. The U.S. Military defends the constitutional rights of free citizens. If people join the military and are expelled because they wish to express their freedoms, then the policy is an oxymoron.
Do you think there should be a new policy?
Yes. The new policy should include anyone physically fit enough to serve effectively and not based on their freedom of expression.
Why do you think this is such a controversial issue?
It is controversial because of a mixture of long-rooted religious beliefs, prejudices and ignorance.
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Keith M.
This is always going to be a controversial issue because it deals with so many opinions and the constitution doesn't deal directly with it.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that it shouldn't matter if they are homosexual or not, but I do not think there should be any displaying of affection or homosexual behaivor. I think the same rules should apply for homoxeuals as it does for heterosexuals.
-naomi
I think the policy should be overturned. I believe everyone has a path and a right to follow that path. The military should have no right to keep someone's mouth shut or make homosexuals keep there relationships quiet. Love, lust and passion are all human emotions, so what right does the military have to deter people who are different from the "norm". On the other hand, I'm not sure what should be done about it. I'm from the south and I know people who hate homosexuals and enjoy letting everyone know. I would hate for that guy to be in basic training with a homosexual. Both of their lives would be miserable. The issue is touchy and quite dangerous to fool with, but it is important to give rights to those who are promised them and in the Bill of Rights we are given the right to free speech and the right to believe whatever you want. The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is crossing the line of freedoms in that homosexuals can't express themselves fully.
ReplyDeleteI do not think that the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy should be overturned. There are not relationships that are allowed even between men and women to be made public to everyone, let alone homosexual relationships. I feel that just leaving the policy how it is will keep more people from flaring up in anger from new policies. I feel that things are just fine how they are and should continue the way that they are. I feel the issue is going to be controversial because people always have different opinions.
ReplyDeleteWe have dealt with race and gender issues in our country, of course it was time to move onto the next one. I'm not saying that it isn't an issue that didn't need to be dealt with. However,is true that as a culture, we always find something to fuss about. We have been given the rigth to as to freedom of speak so we love to use it.
ReplyDeleteAs such, it it very much a hard copic to chose on. Me personally, I think it's wrong for them to exculde homosexuals from the army. A person's sexuality is there choice, and as it was discused in class, has no focus on the battle field.
On the other had, I have family of other view points that I don't always agree with but they bring up issues as well. Men and woman have different quartures for many reasons, alot of it being the fact they do not have to worry about sexual advances by the opposite gender.
From what I can tell from the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Act, it was meant to keep sexual advances of any kind from happening on base. Yet, it was turned into something else all together by not allowing homosexual men and women from joining all together.
It is more of an issue of taking a policy and turning it into how a person sees fit then the act being wrong all together.
I have not severed and don't plan on it for my own personal beliefs, so I can't give a truly educated oppinon on how things should be run within army bases, but I do believe that the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy should be clerify more so to allow homosexuals intot he army, but still not give added stress onto men and women who may beleive differently.
-Toni Spatz
1) I don't feel that gays in the military should even be an issue. If someone (anyone) chooses to serve their country, then they should be allowed to do so without judgement being passed on them due to their sexual preference or any reason for that matter.Just because there was a separation of God and government, doesn't give the government the right to "play God" in the absence there-of. So yes, I do feel that the "don't ask, don't tell" policy should be overturned. The only stipulation I would enforce as far as prerequisite to get into the military would be that all soldiers get a psychic evaluation to ensure mental competence. You at least want to make sure that if you're going to send someone to fight for their country, they should at least be able to aim and shoot in the right direction.
ReplyDelete2) Yeah, as long as you are human and mentally competent (excluding K-9's and test subjects if any), you should be able to serve your country. Any and everyone should be given the opportunity to serve their country if they choose. It should be that simple. With that said, here is a good policy I would have regarding gays in the military; an amendment regarding discrimination against anyone who is a U.S. citizen for any reason (sex, race, religion, culture, creed, or sexual preference) will not be tolerated, other then the severely mentally challenged and an invalid citizenship status.
3) I am not meaning to offend anyone that oppose the idea of the law in question or agree with the controversy of the government on this matter, but I feel the issues on gays in the military is similar to the African American and women issues in the past. Just ignorance and the lack of understanding and reasoning. This proves that a lot of politicians has way too much time on their hands, considering that they have the time to sit and think about the different people they don't like and figure out how to keep them from doing the things they want to do. I just need to know who or what gives the government the right to tell people how they will lives? Especially if they are law abiding citizens who just want to live their lives, or fight for their country for that matter. Or maybe I'm just speaking as a black man in America who has seen, read upon, and witnessed the different types of discrimination around the world and of course in America, and none of it is right nor justifiable. Have our government learned anything from the past? Someone just needs to tell them to "just grow up already and quit living in the 17th century".
This is surely a great topic of discussion as there are so many varying opinions about it. As a homosexual male myself I have no interest in serving in the military, but I sincerely respect those that do; Especially those who are so passionate about it. I'm happy to know there are those who have the skin, and the mentality to take on such a task. I feel that if anyone in the gay community is strong enough and willing enough to put their life on the line for our country then they should be given that right just the same as any heterosexual man or women. I personally believe that when someone in the military speaks of gay men they think of a naily queen in pantyhose and lipstick and that's just not the way it is anymore. Maybe it never was. Even as a gay man I cannot say I understand the complexities of transexuals, or crossdressers, but to each their own If that's what makes them happy then so be it. Everyone has their own story in life and their own reasons for the decisions they make or leave behind, the life that's given to them or taken away. Bringing an end to this "don't ask don't tell" policy would take a lot of open-minded individuals who are willing to accept all men or woman as human beings and not just see them as gay or straight. Most of my friends are straight and I feel that sometimes I get more respect and admiration from them than I do in my own culture. Each lifestyle seems to have a sterotype that follows it, and the truth of the matter is that not everyone is the stereotype. Homosexuals who want to enter the military and serve our country do not have an agenda. I believe they are there to do their job, and to fight for our country and for our rights just the same as the heterosexuals. Unless they have a flamboyant trait in them that becomes obvious no one would ever guess or suspect that they were a homosexual. I think (like most) that it will be a highly debatable argument for a long time. There are too many opinions, and the only ones that should truely matter are the ones it will be affecting with it's decision. I really enjoyed G.I. Jane when it came out some time ago. They delt with the same issue. I think the movie was a success in the realization of women (heterosexual or homosexual) being allowed into the SEALS program. It's true that women are not built the same as men are, but they are not useless by any means, and again, if they have the drive, ambition, and passion to do it I say let them. This movie made a good point too. The whole program was conducted; not for the cause, but for political gain. Politics can be a lifestyle and steretype of it's own, and until we can get past the sterotypes and begin accepting each and every person as a human being first then there will always be a controversy.
ReplyDeleteThe topic of homosexuals in the military has been up for discussion ever since I can remember and my personal thoughts on it have changed very little. I see of no reason why any person should have to define their sexuality in a job type situation. This certain issue is more of a moral/religious issue in my opinnion, and I find it to be absolutely ridiculous to be of any concern to our government. I do think this policy should be overturned and I dont think any other policies regarding this issue should be set in place. I am not a person who would go marching through the streets protesting issues like this, but I believe the people who are directly affected by this, and who feel passionate about it should do exactly that.
ReplyDeleteI think the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy should be eradicated within the military because I feel that a person shouldn't have to work with a policy like that over them. Knowing that they have to continuously walk on egg shells could affect their work and performance. If it was removed then there should not be one in place of the previous policy. These men & women are voluntarily serving this country and putting their lives on the line, their sexual preference is of no importance in the grand scheme of things If this is truly the land of equality then we should all be treated as equals.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a controversial issue because it is dealing with individuals who attracted to members of the same gender and it's not completely accepted or considered normal to some. This is due largely to the religious beliefs that many carry and/or their upbringing. It's hard to support something you've been raised and/or told to be against, not to mention the country was founded on religion. That is why it's both difficult for some to support, as well as controversial topic.
Our country is said to be the land of the free and home of the brave. If a person is a law abiding citizen who is willing to fight for for our country and put their lives on the line to defend our honor, they should have that right. A person's sexual orientation is hardly relevant as far as I am concerned. As for the don't ask, don't tell policy, I think it should remain in place. Even if they do not admit it, their are probably a large number of higher-ups in the military who do not approve of homosexuality. If the soldiers are open about being gay, they may be at greater risk for having issues with those people. Sexuality is just not appropriate in a workplace, and that is essentially what we are talking about here
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with "don't ask, don't tell" because people should have the right to ask and the right to tell on either side and should not have to hide any certain things from others if they don't want to. I just do not understand why homosexuals are not treated equally among everyone else in the U.S. What is really so different or so bad about being gay. People should be able to say they are gay and be in the military if they choose. If it makes others "uncomfortable" then too bad! They can get over their own insecurities and go about their own lives without worrying about if the next person is gay or not. It is crazy to me that we fought so hard for equality for man, and in 2009 have issues such as this that should not even be debatable.
ReplyDelete