Posted on 12/30/2010 7:35:01 AM PST by IbJensen
Millions of folks are all aglow now that the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy regarding gays in the military has been repealed. While that may be a good thing in some ways, there will be some fallout we can expect, that some folks haven’t thought of. And that won’t be a good thing.
Folks who have read my blogs know that I supported the DADT policy, and thought it should remain. I don’t see straight people walking around announcing they are heterosexual. I don’t see the need for homosexuals to make such announcements. I don’t know how that advances the military. Meanwhile, gays have served proudly.
I have also written that I have no objection with open gays in scores of functions within the military. However, that’s different when it comes to the intimate quarters that prevail such as boot camp. Being an old timer with values that were ingrained during the “Grease” years, I would be uncomfortable sharing sleeping quarters, showers, etc., if I’m aware that my shower partner is gay. I would bet that thousands of straight soldiers today feel the same.
That aside, here’s what we can expect now that gays have a full and open voice in the U.S. armed forces.
1 – Gays in the military, now open and legal, will be empowered to establish minority status organizations within to ensure their rights are not violated, similar to blacks and females.
2 – If anyone says a derogatory word toward or about gays, they may be subjected to court martial for inciting “hate speech.”
3 – If and when a superior, i.e. boot sergeant, screams and hollers at a recruit who he knows is gay, the sergeant may be accused — and even disciplined — of anti-gay behavior. Civil suits are not out of the question.
4 – Will gays who are not promoted for legitimate reason file discrimination complaints and/or suits based solely on their sexuality. Will the Armed Services committees of congress now form statistical studies to ensure gays are being promoted at the same rate of heterosexuals? Will gays get promoted at a faster rate now, to make up for discrimination of the past?
5 – Will an officer’s negative opinion about gays be an impediment to his getting promoted in the future?
6 – What about gay partnership rights? Will they mirror marriage laws that apply to heterosexuals? Does the spouse of a married homosexual get an I.D. card, or qualify for “dependent” status? On base housing entitlements? Health care entitlements? Then again, what would be the definition of a “legal” partner?
7 – Will homosexual Marines be allowed to date each other, hold hands while on duty and on base?
8 – Will homosexual soldiers be assigned to countries where homosexuality is forbidden?
9 – Will gays who are HIV positive be discharged? Could that be a “service connected” illness?
Sure, other countries have openly gay service members serving in their military. But those countries don’t have the U.S. Constitution and it’s wake of liberalized interpretations, which have fostered law suits by the kazillions, especially by minority organizations on constant watch to demand equal rights.
I would suggest the items listed above are but the tip of the proverbial iceberg once this gets under way.
What’s most important now, is adjusting to reality. The law is changing, and people have to change with it.
It was President Bill Clinton, a very liberal Democrat, who first supported the DADT policy which went into effect during his administration. It was a good one, and it worked. It certainly did not mean that he — or any other supporter of the policy — was anti-gay.
I have a wonderful 23 year-old family relative who is bright, beautiful, cheery, exciting, and gay. I love her with all my heart, and she knows that.
But we must be aware of all the consequences of enacting new policies that are not in the best interest of the military armed forces, in general. And if it’s not in the best interest of our military, then it’s not in the best interest of national defense.
Good for you. What the Left has finally succeeded in doing is turning the world's greatest fighting force into a social experimentation laboratory. If you can parlay your military skills into civilian employment, I recommend doing so without ever looking back.
Let's start with the fundamental problem, that of definition. Who, exactly, is the focus of the DADT repeal--gays and lesbians? Bisexuals? Chaste pedophiles? Men who feel "trapped" in female bodies? Women who feel "trapped" in male bodies? Men who sometimes feel like a man and sometimes prefer living and dressing like women? Women who sometimes feel like women and sometimes prefer dressing and living like men?
Is the taxpayer going to be paying for sex change operations so LT COL Al Cheezwhiz can become LT COL Alice Cheezwiz in time for the O-6 board and claim an affirmative action selection for a choice command billet as a woman? Will it be enough for him to submit a report from a psychologist confirming that he "feels" like a woman, and not a man? Or does he simply change his name to Alice, check the block on the selection folder showing his gender as "female," and defy the board to non-select him and run the risk of an EEO complaint?
How about men who are sexually attracted to women, but who want to claim tax-payer supported quasi-spousal benefits on behalf of close male friends? How will that be policed? Can it be policed? Should they be required to prove they're sexually attracted to men? How will that be done? Will they have electrodes attached their dangly bits and be shown photographs of Barney Frank in a banana sling? Will they be required to perform sodomy with their boyfriend in the commander's office?
Far from making sexual orientation a non-issue, the repeal of DADT will make sexual orientation an issue that will devour endless resources and time.
Thank you, ScottinVA!
Although I’m a supporter of our military, I have never been a member, so when it comes to rules and regulations, I’m pretty much out to sea, so to speak!! :) .
I’ve sure learned alot here at FreeRepublic, and appreciate the information.
Thanks again!!!
Gladly!!!
The Second Amendment allows for the formation of well regulated militias. I think now is the time to start forming them.
The real problems won’t be in the trenches, it will be in the Pentagon years from now. I doubt if their loyalties will be with the Constitution.
FYI, military members are allowed to serve with HIV, though in a restricted status.
I am a lesbian woman trapped in a man's body.
I have 3 sons and 2 are already enlisted. 1 on Active duty home right now on pre-deployment leave, the other is on delayed entry.
I am appalled at the repeal of DADT. But, while it has been repealed the rules have yet to be written and it is up to the Chiefs to write the rules. This can end up backfiring big time. The combat arms, which my son is in, is against the repeal, the chiefs know this. While certain things were able to slide while DADT was in effect, the new rules may cause gays to be under a microscope now so as not to cause any disruptions.
Besides that, it will be a lonely time for an openly gay man to be loud and proud amongst a 99% heterosexual, hyper testosterone group of guys. Even my son said it, life would be hell for someone in his squad to come in and talk about their boyfriend, even in passing....It ruins the “Circle of trust”.
Well, I have over 35 years in now, and will turn 60 in just over a year. Can’t stay after that anyway without a waiver and those are very hard to get.
There is a record setting waiting list of applicants for the military due to the recession.
What is being missed here is that gays are no more represented in the military then they are in civilian life and a case can be made they are represented less due to the strenuous duties possible and fear of being “dealt with by heteros” regardless of the law. As for the disciplinary action taken against those not happy with gays rooming with them, showering with them, etc, they would need a witness before any action would be taken against an accused hetero soldier. My guess is that when these “mid night counselling sessions” take place their will be a dearth of witnesses to back any claims by the gay.
The guys are worse off now that they will be known by everyone on the base then they were before when they could freely interact and make friends with almost anyone they wanted to make friends with. It will take about 1 hour from the time a gay lands on base for the word to spread and the guy will be watched 7/247365 by everyone on the base and the good Lord help him if he has a few beers and pats another guy even on the shoulder. The blade cuts both ways in this area and gays can as easily be charged with sexual harassment towards straights (even more easily given the ease of gathering up witnesses against the gay)as gays can charge it against heteros.
Wow, that often? Really? 52 times a year? No way....
The greatest difficulty I have with it is gays will want special treatment. If all they want to be treated like the rest of the folks who serve that’s one thing. But I don’t think the Left will be content with equal treatment. Knowing how casually they tossed aside DADT, I don’t think it will stop there.
We’ll see if that’s the case.
You always seem to chime in on how this is no big deal.... You’ve made that point MANY times. We get it. Enough.
So you are OK with the idea of homosexuals serving in the military?
10. Will chaplains remain or resign in protest at not being allowed to counsel against sin?”””
11. How many enlisted men & women & officers who have been working toward a military lifetime will resign?
How many of the Special Forces—How many with higher rankings who have extremely valuable experience & training will opt out?
I predict that the largest number who will resign or not re-up will be the ones who we can least afford to lose.
It takes millions to train a military aviator—Will they leave? Will a swish wearing the latest rainbow scarf replace him or her?
Who will organize & demand a Gay Pride Rainbow parade at every military base???
How many straight soldiers will try to bring back a captured homosexual soldier inside a Muslim setting???
You cannot engineer these kinds of feelings.
Guess DI’s and TI’s can’t use this anymore.
TI: Boy where you from?
Airman: TX
TI: Ain’t but two things from TX, steers and queers,which are you?
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