Posted on 02/12/2010 5:03:52 PM PST by max americana
Three-quarters of Americans say that they support openly gay people serving in the U.S. military, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, a finding that could lend momentum to the Obama administration's effort to dismantle the policy known as "don't ask, don't tell."
SNIP***
President Obama called for the policy's repeal last month in his State of the Union address, and the military's top civilian and military leadership has also expressed personal support for a repeal.
SNIP***
The percentage of Americans who say they support gays openly serving is the same as a Post-ABC News poll found in July 2008; both are far above the 44 percent who said so in May 1993.
In the new poll, majorities across party lines favor such a policy, with support among Democrats (82 percent) and independents (77 percent) higher than among Republicans (64 percent). The poll also reveals several sharp demographic divides. Men (65 percent) and seniors (69 percent) are far less likely than are women (84 percent) and young adults (81 percent under age 30) to say that gays should be allowed to serve if they have disclosed their sexual orientation. Knowing a gay person makes a big difference: Among those who say they have a gay friend or family member, 81 percent support allowing gay people to serve openly, compared with 66 percent who say they do not know someone who is gay.
The poll was conducted by telephone Feb. 4-8 among a random national sample of 1,004 adults, including users of both conventional and cellular phones. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I’m serving active duty, and I honestly don’t care. They’re already in all branches of the military serving honorably and shedding the same blood as the rest of us. The same regulations that apply to us regarding fraternization, displays of public affection, etc. would still apply to them. Meaning they leave that crap at home. That’s not to say issues and problems wouldn’t accompany this, but it won’t destroy the military.
Not in this economy.
And in the event of a draft, being gay will not disqualify you anymore. So suppose a major war starts and the experienced people have been thinned out a lot. A lot of gays will be drafted and put in the ranks and face hostile fire. And they will be slaughtered in large numbers (along with straights).
Maybe that is the plan...
Really? How so?
Only 75 percent? They’re losing their push-poll data manipulation magic touch. I bet if they go back and try harder they can push the number to 105 percent.
Most of whom have no idea what it’s like to be in the military.
Pure bull____. The regs would be charged to give them special status as an "oppressed" minority, all you dewy-eyed idiots who see no harm in this would spend 80 hours a year being indoctrinated into "accepting" the alternative lifestyles, and you'd get your unprogessive a__es kicked out in a heartbeat if you didn't shout kumbaya and join the lavender parade.
“Meaning they leave that crap at home”
It really doesn’t ever work like that in the real world.
I wonder what percentage of the population would vote to have themselves share an open shower with homosexuals? It’s really nice of them to choose that for the brave young men and women who have volunteered to protect this country.
If they decide to act unprofessionally and flaunt their sexuality at work, holding hands and kissing each other and stuff, it’ll stop pretty quick when they start getting busted down, restricted pay, restricted to quarters, extra duty, etc.
There is something to be said about allowing homosexuals to serve openly along a libertarian model. Frankly, few would want to openly serve along a libertarian model because they would not receive special protections and privileges. War is a brutal business--not a sashay down mainstreet to sip cafe-latte with your latest boy squeeze.
This insanity would be implemented along an Obama-extreme left wing model, and the gays would have their vengeance. They would flaunt it openly and often, and if you didn't like it, YOU'D be history.
Even in this economy, the conservative Scots-Irish males from the South who make up the backbone of the military would be loathe to be serve in a lavender military run by screaming mustachioed feministas and gay men and their enablers in the highest ranks anxious to curry political favor with the Obama administration.
We are NOT Israel. This would be a disaster.
“Pure bull____. The regs would be charged to give them special status as an “oppressed” minority, all you dewy-eyed idiots who see no harm in this would spend 80 hours a year being indoctrinated into “accepting” the alternative lifestyles, and you’d get your unprogessive a__es kicked out in a heartbeat if you didn’t shout kumbaya and join the lavender parade.”
No, I don’t think the USMJ would be changed to allow gays to act in an unmilitary manner on and off duty. THAT would do great harm to the military, not simply allowing homosexuals to be officially in the military while having to obey the same rules as the rest of us. And name calling is unprofessional when I’m simply giving my own opinion on this topic.
No it won’t stop at all, that is the point. Why burden the Military with that? What officer will risk his career? Let this particular cat out of the bag, and it’s all down hill.
Most of these brave young men and women have already shared showers with homosexuals. They may or may not have known about it (but everyone pretty much already knows who the gay people in their commands are).
Don’t get me wrong, I have my own concerns about the issue, but I don’t think it’s going to be the earth-shattering event it’s being made out to be, with homosexual activists running around like commisars in the Soviety Army punishing everyone for their thought crimes.
And you're currently serving where?
Anyways, I hope you're right. I could use a few more AO1 slots to open up next exam cycle. Nonetheless, my observation here in today's navy is far different from the point you presented. Sure, some may loath the idea but are they going to run for the exits? Not anyone who has career aspirations. And in this economy, the military is a pretty damn good career.
Because it is quite different from other polls I’ve seen, from the percentage of Americans who are against same sex marriage, and because you think pushing homosexuals on the military is a good thing. It’s the Washington Compost, for crying out loud.
And gosh, Drewy boy, you’re on the wrong side on every issue apparently.
As long as they’re aren’t shedding their blood ON anyone.
The vast majority of the military do NOT want homosexuals in the military. It’s bad enough with DADT. Open homosexuals would be a disaster.
This is what I don’t understand. There are already gays in the military. IMHO, you are a Soldier first and foremost, that is basically it.
Does openly serve mean they can have relationships? Partner benefits? Will we now see quotas? What about discrimination suits?
I really believe it those on the outside that want it more than those ACTUALLY SERVING!
You’d have issues with off base housing and the military honoring gay “marriages”. I could definitely see some heterosexual friends going to the judge and getting a marriage certificate so that the military would have to give them BAH (basically more pay for being married), then laugh about it at their new house with their girlfriends. There’s technicial issues that would arise because of this that people of a higher pay grade than me will be stuck with making decisions on.
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