By One of the biggest Milblogs out there, Blackfive has posted an open letter to the US Congress to listen to the recommendations from the Pentagon in regards to repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell:
JOINT STATEMENT FROM MILITARY BLOGGERS 12 MAY 2010
We consider the US military the greatest institution for good that has ever existed. No other organization has freed more people from oppression, done more humanitarian work or rescued more from natural disasters. We want that to continue.
Today, it appears inevitable to us that the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy and law restricting those displaying open homosexual behavior from serving will be changed. And yet, very little will actually change. Homosexuals have always served in the US Military, and there have been no real problems caused by that.
The service chiefs are currently studying the impact and consequences of changing the DADT policy, and how to implement it without compromising the morale, order and discipline necessary for the military to function. The study is due to be completed on Dec. 1st. We ask Congress to withhold action until this is finished, but no longer. We urge Congress to listen to the service chiefs and act in accordance with the recommendations of that study.
The US Military is professional and ready to adapt to the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell without compromising its mission. Echoing Sec. Def. Gates and ADM Mullen, we welcome open and honorable service, regardless of sexual orientation. [Blackfive]
Click the link to see what other Milbloggers signed the letter. If I was asked I would not have signed this letter without important caveats being added. My position continues to be that this is not an issue about gays serving openly, but one of what special treatment are they going to receive? For example are we going to see gay promotion quotas? The special treatment is already starting and Dan Choi is the best example of this.
I continue to believe that gays should be held to all the same standards and receive the same benefits of a heterosexual soldier to include marriage. If a gay soldier has a legal marriage certificate their spouse should be allowed to receive benefits, however at the same time the servicemember should be held to the same standards as a heterosexual spouse such as complying with the adultery regulations. The military also shouldn’t be forcing chaplains to conduct gay marriages either. It is not the military’s problem that the various state have not allowed gay marriage yet I can foresee people demanding the military conduct gay marriages to get around the state laws.
Additionally straight servicemembers should not be forced to room with gays. I think this is an issue that can be handled at the unit level because I have seen First Sergeants successfully handle where to room gays at before and yes there are plenty of gays in the military right now that are living in the barracks without any issues. However, I can foresee someone demanding the military force straight soldiers to room with gays. It is stuff like what I just mentioned that is going to cause problems not the fact that gays are serving openly.
This is why I have continued to say this has little to do with gays serving openly in the military and more to do with what special treatment they are going to receive.
3:09 am on May 13th, 2010 1
OK. Whatever. Still tossing red herrings? The promotion quota thing was already discussed before. Now, the military forcing chaplains to perform gay marriages!?!
Remember the whole church and state thing? There are generally two ways marriages are done. One way is completely devoid of any religious involvement. Even atheist get married. There are civil officials who are granted authority to perform marriages. That's how most of those gays in Massachusetts and California got married when it was approved for those brief periods of times.
The other types of marriages are those performed under the rites, customs and ceremonies of recognized religions. How and who is authorized to get married by the authority of a minister of a particular religion is wholly determined by the policies of the religion that authorized them.
So, don't worry. You will no more find the military directing an evangelical chaplain to marry two men or two women than you will find the military directing a rabbi chaplain to perform a marriage for two Muslims.
3:48 am on May 13th, 2010 2
P.S. If the military wants to seek authority for JAGs or Base Commanders to perform gay marriages, that might happen.
2:39 am on July 29th, 2010 3
So, I agree on quota hiring and promotion. Neither should happen just because you are a minority, but because of your performance. But, does this mean you are also against the affirmative action of the 80's, which saw many minorities "promoted," or just plain recognized and protected as equals?
Religion means squat to me, and should to most Americans who believe in democracy. As long as the states (supposedly secular governments) provide tax benefits to married couples, then they will have a greater say than religious groups. So, I support you on religious freedom (though I'm an Atheist), but I would never deny a gay couple the right to marry.
Interestingly, Canada has allowed gay military members, and gay marriage, for years now, and the world hasn't ended. So have many, progressive nations. Is America so full of itself that they believe the universe will collapse if they recognize basic human rights?
2:43 am on July 29th, 2010 4
BTW… your concerns about straight soldiers "forced" to share rooms with gay soldiers boils down to the hetero fear of gays as rapists. It speaks more of the hetero fear of the homo lecher, than it does of reality. In truth, more than 95% of rapes are committed by hetero-identified males. So, I would worry more about the gay soldiers' safety- especially considering the murder and suicide rate of young gay men and women.
How about a little compassion and research? These are PEOPLE, not animals, after all. Their instincts are the same, or even better, than your own.
5:55 am on July 29th, 2010 5
How much sympathy do you want anyway kimcikomando. But you're correct on one thing. I would worry more about the gay living in the same room with a straight soldier. Some men don't know how to accept "NO", straight or gay. I'm sure there are some women that would agree. As you pointed out. A fag in the military that doesn't know how to accept no, will learn quickly.
Yes, I agree. How about a little compassion for the straight soldier that will be forced to live with a fag. That would be nice. Too bad he will be arrested for assault when the fag forgets his roommate isn't of like-mind.
A fag's "instincts are the same, or even better than your own". See, you are quite different in your arrogance. If a fag's instincts are the same as a horney hetro, I would be worried indeed.
Gays are not people. Gays are GAY. If gays were people they would do what people do. Rent a room and STFU. Go to a gay bar and STFU about it in uniform. Smoke a pole or munch a carpet and then STFU about it in uniform.