I have just about zero interest in doing anything productive at work today and with self-paced jobs like mine, this is a Very Bad Thing. I have some filing to do, some papers to review, and some other various freshmen-related things stacked up. And yet, it’s already ten and I have put them off and off and off. It could have something to do with the weather; it was very cold this AM – 28! – and I still feel chilled, though it;s “supposedly” 73 in here. But, I did happen upon this article and I am intrigued.
Admittedly, I don’t know the ins and outs of the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy but it seems to me that without it, there actually could be problems. People are still relatively close-minded (can I dare to say “especially in the miliitary”?) and I would worry that if you were gay and open about it when joining, this could – with certain people – cause many more problems. But on the other hand, this is great because then you, as a gay solider, don’t have to hide who you really are. I don’t know; decisions made like this always have two sides and different repurcussions. So what do you all think?
incognitusscriptor.com 
Homosexuals should be allowed to serve in the military with no restrictions. I can offer two reasons for this. First, given the over-deployment of the military right now, being openly gay is a pretty poor reason to deny someone the ability to serve his or her country in the military. What makes it even worse is that openly gay soldiers who were Arabic translators are being discharged in the face of a shortage of Arabic translators in the military. It just doesn’t make sense from a manpower (no pun intended) perspective.
The second reason is that the military has always been forced to integrate new groups into its ranks – African Americans and women most significantly. There was uproar at the time, but soldiers are trained to follow orders and eventually the presence of black or female members of the military is not given a second look. Being openly gay is something that some people are going to have a problem with, but it’s a problem that will go away eventually.
Well put. Thank you.
I just wanted to comment that yesterday (Thursday,) it was -17 degrees out. Yeah, negative. At this moment, 28 would feel like a heat wave! God, I wish it were 28 right now! (I never thought I’d hear myself say that. 🙂 )
Somewhat echoing Scott’s message, this is a scene snippet from The West Wing episode “Let Bartlet Be Bartlet.”
Two military officers (Tate and Thompson) are having a meeting with the White House Deputy Communications Director about the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy regarding homosexuals in the military. Admiral Fitzwallace, the African-American Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, enters the room and interrupts the meeting, which is of course getting nowhere fast.
FITZWALLACE
[to Tate and Thompson] We’re discussing gays in the military, huh?
MAJOR THOMPSON
Yes sir.
FITZWALLACE
What do you think?
No response.
FITZWALLACE
I said what do you think?
MAJOR THOMPSON
Sir, we’re here to help the White House form a possible…
FITZWALLACE
I know. I’m asking you what you think.
MAJOR TATE
Sir, we’re not prejudiced toward homosexuals.
FITZWALLACE
You just don’t want to see them serving in the Armed Forces?
MAJOR TATE
No sir, I don’t.
FITZWALLACE
‘Cause they oppose a threat to unit discipline and cohesion.
MAJOR TATE
Yes sir.
FITZWALLACE
That’s what I think too. I also think the military wasn’t designed to be an instrument of social change.
MAJOR TATE
Yes sir.
FITZWALLACE
The problem with that is that what they were saying to me 50 years ago. Blacks shouldn’t serve with Whites. It would disrupt the unit. You know what? It did disrupt the unit. The unit got over it. The unit changed. I’m an Admiral in the U.S. Navy and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Beat that with a stick.