Posted on 12/02/2010 7:56:33 AM PST by ConjunctionJunction
Press coverage of the new Pentagon Don't Ask Don't Tell report suggests that large majorities of U.S. servicemen and women wouldn't mind the repeal of the military's current policy on gays. Don't believe it. What the report actually shows is that the military is deeply divided over the policy, both between the service branches and especially between those who have served in combat and those who haven't. Did you know that 59 percent of Marines who have served in combat say repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell would have a negative effect? And that 45 percent of Army respondents who have been in combat say the same thing? That is significant, not marginal, opposition.
Overall, the survey of 115,000 servicemen and women presents a mixed-to-positive reaction to the proposed repeal of the current policy. Seventeen percent of all service members say repeal would have a positive effect, while 21 percent say it would have a negative effect, 33 percent say it would have equally positive and negative effects, and 29 percent say it would have no effect.
But the picture is considerably different when you compare the opinions of service members who have and haven't been in combat. For example, the Pentagon study group asked the following question of respondents "who have never been deployed or haven't been in combat environment since September 11, 2001":
If Don't Ask, Don't tell is repealed and you are working with a service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect your immediate unit's effectiveness at completing its mission on a day-to-day basis?
The answers are a mixed bag but suggest that there would be support for repeal of the current policy. Seventeen percent of all service members say repeal would have a positive effect, while 21 percent say it would have a negative effect; 33 percent say it would have equally positive and negative effects, and 29 percent say it would have no effect.
Then the Pentagon team asked service members "who have been deployed at some point and been in combat environment since September 11, 2001":
If Don't Ask, Don't tell is repealed and you are working with a service member in your immediate unit who has said he or she is gay or lesbian, how, if at all, would it affect your immediate unit's effectiveness at completing its mission in a field environment or out to sea?
The differences are striking. Just 11 percent say repeal would have a positive effect, while 44 percent say it would have a negative effect. Twenty six percent of those surveyed say it would have equally positive and negative effects, and 19 percent say it would have no effect.
Break down the numbers by service branch, and the results are even more striking. Fifty-nine percent of Marines who have been in combat say repeal would have a negative effect, and just 11 percent say it would have no effect. Forty-five percent of Army respondents say it would have a negative effect. The opposition is less intense in the Navy and Air Force, where 35 percent and 41 percent say repeal would have a negative effect, but those are still significant minorities.
And these are large groups. According to the study, 70 percent of respondents are now or have been deployed, and 83 percent of them have been in a combat zone or an area where they received hostile fire pay. There is simply no way to argue that they overwhelmingly support repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell.
But repeal is what the president and many lawmakers want. And civilian control of the military is a bedrock principle of the U.S. government. If the president and Congress order service members to do something, then that's what they are going to do. But don't pretend they all think it's a good idea.
Gay journalists don’t tell of their proclivities and they are among those pushing this issue in the news.
Gates was bought and paid for by the Soros/obambi campaign
Queers are a SECURITY RISK !!! Look at what ONE queer pfc. has done with our secret info. Kick ‘em all out!!! No “gay” military!
This is based on a 10% response. The combat troops are sharing a computer with a company and have little time to take surveys. They send their e-mails to their families and let the next guy in line get on.
What I still do not understand to this day is - what gives these turkeys the notion that the rest of the world wants or needs to know how and with whom they have sex? Who gives a “rat’s behind”? (Pun intended? I’m not sure.)
We all know what this is about...and it’s not about “diversity” or “equality” or any other politically correct buzzword they come up with. It’s another way to lessen the strength, morale and character of our military. I hate barack obama. “Commander in chief”, my a$$.
I don’t have good facts on this, so just offering what I read somewhere else (do not remember where), but it was said that this survey, which gives such “wonderful” results was done after the CA court case that theoretically invalidated DADT, at which time the troops were led to believe that repeal was a certainty. Even if there is any validity to the survey results, I have to believe that the responses would be different if DADT seemed to be solidly in place into the future, as opposed to having the appearance of being repealed.
But we are dealing with an administration and Gates, who will tweak and twist the numbers in whatever way serves their needs, so it does not matter, I guess.
Put all the queers in the same unit and send them to the area where the fighting is the fiercest. Rapeat until no one is standing.
I’m most interested in the military’s policy (currently) regarding those infected with HIV who are deployed- does it change? Will the soldiers deployed with the HIV virus, but not sick, be required to inform other soldiers deployed with them?
Soldiers living in the, necessarily, tight situation of the barracks, sharing a “head”- will they be allowed to know the HIV status of those who engage in aberant behaviors? How about those seving on ships? submarines?
WHAT are the rights of soldiers and sailors who are NOT gay? How about their families?
“DADT” was a stupid idea...a very “clinton” idea. But THIS one is a whole lot dumber. When one chooses a twisted lifestyle, then they should also accept the consequences.
They are achieving success with the military. Mark this: the traditional and evangelical churches are next.
You have not heard of Doug Dannger then, his tag line is “I’m a gay man and a gay journalist”.
LOL
I guess that's technically true. I mean 17 percent is, well, 17 percent.
Of course, it would be technically true to say there would be opposition to repeal of the current policy because 22 percent is, well, 22 percent.
Of course understanding that 22 percent is greater than 17 percent would probably require a course in advanced magazine writing.
The opposition is less intense in the Navy and Air Force, where 35 percent and 41 percent say repeal would have a negative effect, but those are still significant minorities. But what is the percent saying it would have a positive effect?
Does Anderson Cooper know?
I can say this, when (and I do think it is when, not if) homosexuals are allowed to serve openly in the military, military service will NOT be a career I will urge my sons or daughters to pursue.
There are millions more like me too, as the lion’s share of military personnel come from the most socially conservative parts of the country (read, “the South.”)
When the military gets dominated by sexual perverts, who will defend us?
I don’t know about other branches, but the Army will not deploy a soldier who is HIV positive. Simply being HIV positive is not a reason (by itself) for discharge, either IIRC. So we have soldiers who won’t be deployed while other soldiers deploy over and over.
The disease risks alone—given that ALL research shows the inescapable massive promiscuity of homosexual males—should disqualify homosexuals from service.
Not to mention the fact that ONLY after physical threats and intimidation did the American Psychological Association remove homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses.
Active homosexuals are both sexually perverted and mentally ill, not to mention immoral, and besides this pose a direct health threat to any and all around them in combat situations.
Military folks and their civil service counterparts have been subjected to such incredible amounts of politically correct required classes/briefings/command direction/etc. they know, absolutely know, what answer they are supposed to provide.
I am pleasantly surprised at how many answered honestly and in the negative. No straight male or female wants a gay superviser/superior in the military with the power they will have over their lives. They already know how difficult it is with both sexes working together already. For the most part, they make it work, but still "stuff" happens.
The stuff that still happens usually gets covered up, but once in awhile it makes it to the mainstream press. For a taste of the future might look like with DADT repealed look here for a USN example and for a USAF example and imagine how these two examples could read. It won't be pretty.
What a loaded poll question. First of all it asks about the effect of “a” homosexual rather than multiple homosexuals. Then it asks about a generic effectiveness.
How about asking:
If Don’t Ask, Don’t tell is repealed and your commanding officer is an open/active homosexual, will it affect your ability to serve in the military and obtain fair promotions if you refuse to engage in homosexual activities?
or
If Don’t Ask, Don’t tell is repealed and your unit has a dozen or so open/active homosexuals, will that affect the close interaction that is required for ALL members of a unit (such as a submarine)?
or
If Don’t Ask, Don’t tell is repealed, will you willingly join/transfer to/recruit to a group with more homosexuals than another?
or
If Don’t Ask, Don’t tell is repealed, do you believe that greater emphasis will be placed on social issues or military ability?
Will the soldiers deployed with the HIV virus, but not sick, be required to inform other soldiers deployed with them?
Soldiers living in the, necessarily, tight situation of the barracks, sharing a “head”- will they be allowed to know the HIV status of those who engage in aberant behaviors? How about those seving on ships? submarines?
That would be "no" on both counts:
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/summary/index.html
The real issue with DADT is whether the discussion is about status or behavior. A soldier just being gay is not problematic, but if he knows he can’t be discharged for it, will that lead to wearing makeup in uniform, applying it in the latrine, sex in the barracks, sex in showers and overtly effeminate behavior? Admittedly, most homosexuals don’t or won’t engage in the overt objectionable behavior (many don’t at all) but it will only take a few. Watch the gay pride parades and consider how that “in your face” behavior will be received in a barracks setting. Flaunting the most disgusting behavior seems to be the trademark of some (not all) gays.
How many homosexuals are going to demand promotion in rank to increase their representation? When are they going to establish a GBLT social group on base? etc.
The lawsuits will only begin from the act up crowd if this goes through.
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