Comments | gsa_lj: Don't say they didn't tell us

tko_ak in gsa_lj

Don't say they didn't tell us

Feb 02, 2010 20:39

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, has called for ending Don't Ask, Don't Tell. He's said that it was "the right thing to do." Further, he went on to say that "No matter how I look at the issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they ( Read more... )

military, progress, dadt

Comments 8

iconoclast February 3 2010, 06:11:00 UTC

http://gawker.com/5462433/john-mccain-cranky-old-jerk-who-hates-gay-people

henkkuli February 3 2010, 12:37:31 UTC

Heh. Olivetti Lettera 32.

Thanks for linking to this. It's really sad/infuriating the way Sen. McCain is behaving, especially when his wife and daughter are at the forefront of the campaign for equality. At this point, there is no argument in favor or in defense of DADT that does not boil down to bigotry, and John McCain is a bigot. No whitewashing that one.

tko_ak February 4 2010, 07:43:12 UTC

It's indefensible, and irritating as hell. I think the timing of this is costing me naming my puppy McCain.

That said, he has been consistent, and it isn't that surprising that a veteran in their 70s is close minded on changing the military. But it also shouldn't be lost on anyone that McCain is a politician, and concerned about a primary challenge from the right. His view may not be different, but I don't think he'd be outspoken or making a big deal out of it if he weren't trying to shore up his (very conservative) base in Arizona.

It doesn't make it right, but I think his attitude is a little more complicated than simple bigotry. Considering his reaction when Jim Kolbe came out, I don't know if dismissing him as a bigot is completely fair.

emh4ever February 3 2010, 06:28:28 UTC

I look forward to a time, hopefully within the next few years when everyone's gotten over it and openly gay service members just blend in with the rest. Further then that even, I want to see society get to the point when things like this are seen as antiquated and disturbing as segregation and slavery. But I think we've got an awfully long way to go (laaaaaa laaaaaaaaaaaaaaa laaaaaa laaaaa).

mizzoumark February 3 2010, 06:32:11 UTC

To say Mr. Owens's argument is flimsy is an insult to flimsy things. If I'm understanding him correctly, he seems to truly believe that straight military personal have the exact same feelings of friendship and brotherhood toward everyone in their units and have no favorites. That, of course, flies completely against human nature. Even in "band of brothers" situation, I'm going to guess that the vast majority of personal do prefer some members of the unit over others ( ... )

entropius February 3 2010, 07:16:57 UTC

That argument also would exclude women from service, which has already been shown to be utter hogwash -- there are quite a few female Russian war heroes from WWII, for instance.

phillipalden February 3 2010, 18:22:21 UTC

These people deny that gays have served throughout our history, (and before,) and they have played pivotal roles. I have many gay friends who have served with honor.

But this is about bigotry, so I don't expect the other side to listen to reason, or to acknowledge the truth of our military history. They're like small children who put their fingers in their ears and sing loudly so they don't have to hear truths they cannot deny.