Don't Ask....Don't Tell. Good Policy?

[notofworks]

There is a swirl of activity in the courts recently concerning the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

But in general, what do you think of gays in the military? Should they be allowed in? If not, why? What is the basis for prohibiting them? I would especially be interested in hearing from military or ex-military people.

[MissBrattified]

I'm not sure about all the reasoning behind "don't ask", but I think "don't tell" is a great policy--for the protection of homosexual men. Even our wonderful military is home to some certifiable idiots. I'm sure if those dolts found out they'd been bunking & showering with a gay man for the last few years, they'd be angry enough to do something stupid about it.

If the gays were suddenly allowed (or forced) out of the closet, I predict there would be dire consequences for at least a few.

[whoami]

Originally Posted by notofworks

There is a swirl of activity in the courts recently concerning the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

But in general, what do you think of gays in the military? Should they be allowed in? If not, why? What is the basis for prohibiting them? I would especially be interested in hearing from military or ex-military people.

I have no problem with gays in the military, but I think Don't Ask Don't Tell is good because there are hate-filled people EVERYWHERE who don't hesitate to hurt someone for being something that they're not comfortable with. My husband has been in the military for 13 years, and he thinks Don't Ask Don't Tell is a good thing. Maybe someday there won't be a need for such protective measures, but currently, I think it's necessary.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I'm not sure about all the reasoning behind "don't ask", but I think "don't tell" is a great policy--for the protection of homosexual men. Even our wonderful military is home to some certifiable idiots. I'm sure if those dolts found out they'd been bunking & showering with a gay man for the last few years, they'd be angry enough to do something stupid about it.

If the gays were suddenly allowed (or forced) out of the closet, I predict there would be dire consequences for at least a few.

And what does that say about the "straight" folks? Humanity isn't a pretty picture.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I'm not sure about all the reasoning behind "don't ask", but I think "don't tell" is a great policy--for the protection of homosexual men. Even our wonderful military is home to some certifiable idiots. I'm sure if those dolts found out they'd been bunking & showering with a gay man for the last few years, they'd be angry enough to do something stupid about it.

If the gays were suddenly allowed (or forced) out of the closet, I predict there would be dire consequences for at least a few.

Maybe not do something stupid about it but...if it's ok for a man that is attracted to men to shower with men, why not also allow men that are attracted to women to shower with women?

My point is, when you actually know there is a guy showering with you that is sexually attracted to men it's a whole different story

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by notofworks

There is a swirl of activity in the courts recently concerning the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

But in general, what do you think of gays in the military? Should they be allowed in? If not, why? What is the basis for prohibiting them? I would especially be interested in hearing from military or ex-military people.

I asked my retired military dad once about gays in the military, he stated something like military has always discriminated against certain people such as handicaps, flat feet, low IQ, etc.....he made the point that gays are handicaped in their minds so it should disqualify them. Good point, IMO.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by notofworks

And what does that say about the "straight" folks? Humanity isn't a pretty picture.

It doesn't say anything about "straight" folks; it says something about "idiots."

People can be incredibly cruel, especially when it comes down to pride. I'm not personally hip on the idea of gays in the military, although I haven't exactly fleshed out my reasoning. I'm also not hip on anyone getting hurt because their secret is revealed.

The story from the past few weeks of the high school boy who committed suicide because of the gay sex video that was broadcast was incredibly sad and sickening. I'd wager that's nothing compared to what could happen if gays came out in the military. The nature of the beast requires that the men in the military be "men's men" (no pun intended), and a large measure of narcissism and chauvinism is a given to go along with their abundant testosterone. Add to that their training in lethal force and their pack instincts, and it's a disaster in the making.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

I asked my retired military dad once about gays in the military, he stated something like military has always discriminated against certain people such as handicaps, flat feet, low IQ, etc.....he made the point that gays are handicaped in their minds so it should disqualify them. Good point, IMO.

They are handicapped in their mind???? How so?? I've seen studies that show the average IQ of a gay person is actually higher than the average straight person, so surely he didn't mean intelligence.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Maybe not do something stupid about it but...if it's ok for a man that is attracted to men to shower with men, why not also allow men that are attracted to women to shower with women?

My point is, when you actually know there is a guy showering with you that is sexually attracted to men it's a whole different story

I didn't really address the "don't ask" part. I'm just saying I think it's unwise to flip the policy at this juncture. If it were reversed, I would say that everyone who is presently IN the military should be grandfathered in with a "Don't Ask; Don't Tell" smoke screen for their protection.

This isn't just about men, Prax. This applies to lesbians as well.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

I asked my retired military dad once about gays in the military, he stated something like military has always discriminated against certain people such as handicaps, flat feet, low IQ, etc.....he made the point that gays are handicaped in their minds so it should disqualify them. Good point, IMO.