Don't Ask, Don't Tell ... Who Cares?

[MsRay]

First it was reported (http://www.planetout.com/pno/news/article.html?2003/06/06/2) that the Army journal Parameters (http://carlisle-www.army.mil/usawc/Parameters/) had an article (http://carlisle-www.army.mil/usawc/Parameters/03summer/belkin.htm) arguing that the policy against gays in the military has no basis in reality. The basis of the argument is an analysis of the militaries of the U.K., Israel, Australia, and Canada which have all lifted their gay bans with no effect on performance.

Now, it is reported that General Wesley Clark (http://www.planetout.com/pno/news/article.html?2003/06/16/3) has said the policy does not work.

I agree. The idea that if the ban were lifted, all of a sudden gays would come out in droves to terrorize the enlisted men is silly and adolescent. As argued, with no ban, most gays will remain silent on their preference for a variety of reasons including privacy. The point is to not have to worry about being discharged because one is gay.

Whether gay or straight, someone in the military is expected to perform within certain ranges of behavior both on and off duty as representatives of their unit on up through to representing the U.S. Why is it believed that a gay person would not be able to "control" themselves is beyond me since their sexual urges are no more intense than the average straight man working alongside women.

i agree 100 percent

[FAST]

Originally posted by MsRay
First it was reported (http://www.planetout.com/pno/news/article.html?2003/06/06/2) that the Army journal Parameters (http://carlisle-www.army.mil/usawc/Parameters/) had an article (http://carlisle-www.army.mil/usawc/Parameters/03summer/belkin.htm) arguing that the policy against gays in the military has no basis in reality. The basis of the argument is an analysis of the militaries of the U.K., Israel, Australia, and Canada which have all lifted their gay bans with no effect on performance.

Now, it is reported that General Wesley Clark (http://www.planetout.com/pno/news/article.html?2003/06/16/3) has said the policy does not work.

I agree. The idea that if the ban were lifted, all of a sudden gays would come out in droves to terrorize the enlisted men is silly and adolescent. As argued, with no ban, most gays will remain silent on their preference for a variety of reasons including privacy. The point is to not have to worry about being discharged because one is gay.

Whether gay or straight, someone in the military is expected to perform within certain ranges of behavior both on and off duty as representatives of their unit on up through to representing the U.S. Why is it believed that a gay person would not be able to "control" themselves is beyond me since their sexual urges are no more intense than the average straight man working alongside women.

some men can't control themselves...hence rape....

I personally dont give a shit if a gay is in the military or not as long as he is willing to die for this country and risk his life for the life of the soldier next to him then fuck it, give him the gun.

oh but absolutely no PDA on any type of military base....I dont think any of the older military men would appreciate it ..

isnce most are mid-west or down south hard asses.

[MsRay]

Originally posted by KID FAST
some men can't control themselves...hence rape....

...

oh but absolutely no PDA on any type of military base....I dont think any of the older military men would appreciate it ..

isnce most are mid-west or down south hard asses. Those men who can't control themselves -- gay and straight alike -- are in the minority and should be dealt with severely.

I agree that PDA is not appropriate on a military base, but again that goes for both straight and gay. Regardless of who it might be offensive to, I don't think PDA is something that is compatible with the expected behavior of a solider on duty on a base (This is admittedly based on no experience of being on a base or being in the forces ... insights from anyone who has would be most welcomed).

But I think you said it best with:


I personally dont give a shit if a gay is in the military or not as long as he is willing to die for this country and risk his life for the life of the soldier next to him then fuck it, give him the gun.

[Bekim...]

I was in the army for 8 years.. and when i was in bootcamp we were the first to have intergrated platoon's male and female together... and all I know is everyone was banging away in the bathrooms... straight/gay whatever lol

[MsRay]

Originally posted by DJbEK
I was in the army for 8 years.. and when i was in bootcamp we were the first to have intergrated platoon's male and female together... and all I know is everyone was banging away in the bathrooms... straight/gay whatever lol Were there identifiable and/or self-identified gays there? Did it matter?

[Bekim...]

Originally posted by MsRay
Were there identifiable and/or self-identified gays there? Did it matter?

there was one identifiable gay male in my squad... but no one treated him diffrerent.. except for some comments from inbred hicks from the south.