The Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell debate seems to be heating up. Less than a week after five Democrats came out against the discriminatory anti-gay military ban, the Washington Post has also voiced their opposition.
Highlighting the “absurdity” of the military’s gay advertising, the Post editors write:
Since 1993, more than 11,000 people have been discharged from the services because of their homosexuality. Of those, 800 were in positions deemed “mission-critical” by the Pentagon.
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According to USA Today, which informed the Defense Department of its unusual advertising venue, the Navy is looking for Arabic translators and intelligence analysts, the Air Force is looking for social workers and nurses, and the Army and Army National Guard have infantry and artillery positions available. Mind you, the military didn’t go to GLEE.com directly. The ad placements involved a mix-up with the military’s private ad agency. And the listings were removed once the Pentagon was informed.The whole sorry episode highlights the absurdity of the ban on openly gay people in the military. Israel, Australia, Britain and 21 other countries have no problem with gays and lesbians serving openly in their armed forces. With its military stretched to the breaking point, the United States should follow their wise lead. That it doesn’t is as shortsighted as it is unjust.
Now, we doubt this editorial will make the military rethink its backward policies, but it’s nice to know the paper’s got our back.
Rt. Rev. Dr. RES
Let me see. The volunteer service was not adequate for the military adventures planned…soon in Iran. The reserves and especially state national guard troops are federalised for duty in the Middle East. Assets are there and not here fighting fires, hurricanes and tornadoes…their real mission of the citizen soldier.
Oops….the soldiers of fortune were too busy breaking laws of man and God. And, then, we lowered standards to recruit high school dropouts and petty criminals.
Gays and lesbians – the patriots despised by their nation like the blacks of old – and including black gays and lesbians too – want to serve openly. Yes…..send them to Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan.