Don't Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell

In the United States the military has strict rules against the inclusion of openly gay men and lesbian women serving. I don't know if this is the macho image that the United States military has decided to give to the world or if the Christian moral values from the inception of America has caused the trouble. What I do know is that President Bill Clinton chose to allow gay men and women into the military as long as they did not tell anyone they were gay.

To me, being homosexual is not a choice, it's a way of life. The people who are gay were more than likely born that way. Of course there are some who have chosen this path because of a problem they had with the opposite sex in some manner or other. Some have chosen to be gay out of emotional stress or traumatic experiences. Those are the few. The many are obviously gay. If you just look at or talk to a genetically gay person it is not very difficult to determine that they are not heterosexual.

I do not think that the previous administration did anything wrong except to not have fore-site on this issue. The military should not discriminate based on sexual preference. It is not up to the military to be the moral binding for our country. It is their job to protect and to serve the interests of Americans and to defend the Constitution, which incidentally states that all men are to be treated equally. Funny that the very branch of the US government that is charged with this very important job is breaking it's very basic concept of equality.

I think that if a military member is discovered to be gay he should not be fired from his job. If he is gay that's it. Has he displayed his loyalty to the government? Has he done an exemplary job? I have known many gay and lesbian people and know them all to be intelligent, loyal, compassionate and intelligent. What common sense would cause a person to reject this kind of person into such an important role in our country?

I do think, though, for the protection of our gay service members that they not tell. Being openly gay in a world of homophobia is a dangerous thing. I read of a person who's platoon mate proved to be gay and ended up scalded to death, hung upside down in a sleeping bag in the common shower. His crime? He was gay. The gay man and woman is not the problem. The problem is those who believe that being gay is contagious, or that a gay person is a pervert, child rapist or molester, or that the gay person may wish to "hit" on the straight person. These inaccurate thoughts cause such discomfort in the heterosexual man and sometimes woman that they will do anything to rid themselves of their own personal issues, even if it means causing harm, torture, discomfort, or death to the source of their problems. It is sad to think that being gay can be blamed as the cause of an uncomfortable feeling. To me it is a personal problem.

People do not believe that a gay man is as effective as a straight man in combat. These men should be taught about the Spartans. They should be taught about the ancient people who were all or mostly all gay men who fought with such passion that they were hardly ever beat in battle. They were effective soldiers, leaders, and even kings! King Nero married one of his most beloved man-servants. The anger I hear from straight men who are, have been, or will be in the military is ignorant and ill-educated. They are good soldiers, but they are narrow minded and they need to be taught that tolerance goes beyond the little guy with the glasses to the man who has a desire to be with like-minded men.

Fear of a gay man? This is just nonsense. It is like saying that all father's are incestuous, or that all straight women are going to go after high school students. I do not believe that there is anything different in morality between most gay men and most straight men. The Bible is also used as a defense against gay people. Considering that the Bible was translated in the Roman era of power where the Catholic church was burning women for witchcraft and using their knowledge of the Bible to advertise and support their own narrow view of their world, it is not the most efficient and accurate account of God's word. I appreciate the greatness of the novel but the human effect of the Bible cannot be denied. The agendas of those of the age when it was translated was most assuredly integrated into the words that were in fact inspired by God. We know that even today that supposed "men of God" are using their position to fornicate and other terrible acts against children and their "flock." How sad that so many grasp to a faith that may be half truths.

So, Mr. President, please do not repeal the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" initiative, just modify it to work in today's world. We do not need to have all admit, but if they do get "found out" or if they do decide to tell they should not be fired for this. That does not show equality.