The truth comes out
While listening to NPR on my drive home this evening I heard an interview with Retired Lt. Col. Robert Maginnis, one of the people responsible for crafting "Don't Ask Don't Tell" back in 1993. He was being interviewed because he still supports the ban on men and women who are openly homosexual serving in the US military. At first he trotted out the old arguments in favor of the ban. He talked about how the knowledge that one of your squad mates is homosexual would be harmful to unit morale and cohesion, and other such bull shit. But then he got to the real heart of the matter.
Colonel Maginnis offered the argument that the real harm to the armed forces would come when all of the bigots resigned in protest. Of course that's not how he said it. The way he phrased it was to point out that the current core of the military and future service members are those who come from the south and the mountain west, and who are predominantly Christian and conservative. He said that if homosexuals are allowed to serve openly large numbers of current soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines would seek discharge, and that many more potentials would refuse to join up, creating a national crisis. Like I said: bigotry.
Of course, he could be right. I've never served and the only member of the military I know could easily fall into what he is postulating. But you know what? GOOD. If the culture of the armed forces is so tied to the principles of conservative politics and conservative Christianity then I think it needs to get gutted and rebuilt. Not enough soldiers to fight in our wars? GOOD. Let's bring them all home. Enrollment is down in protest? GOOD. Reform the way we compensate our troops. Turn the military into a more progressive institution that pays better. Hey Republicans, that there's the free market y'all are so juicy in the undies over. Letting in teh gays could be the best thing that has happened to the United States Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force in a very long time.
Colonel Maginnis offered the argument that the real harm to the armed forces would come when all of the bigots resigned in protest. Of course that's not how he said it. The way he phrased it was to point out that the current core of the military and future service members are those who come from the south and the mountain west, and who are predominantly Christian and conservative. He said that if homosexuals are allowed to serve openly large numbers of current soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines would seek discharge, and that many more potentials would refuse to join up, creating a national crisis. Like I said: bigotry.
Of course, he could be right. I've never served and the only member of the military I know could easily fall into what he is postulating. But you know what? GOOD. If the culture of the armed forces is so tied to the principles of conservative politics and conservative Christianity then I think it needs to get gutted and rebuilt. Not enough soldiers to fight in our wars? GOOD. Let's bring them all home. Enrollment is down in protest? GOOD. Reform the way we compensate our troops. Turn the military into a more progressive institution that pays better. Hey Republicans, that there's the free market y'all are so juicy in the undies over. Letting in teh gays could be the best thing that has happened to the United States Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force in a very long time.