Don’t Ask Too Fast

As for using scriptures to press home a poin, consider this one: 40. Who calls us Thelemites will do no wrong, if he look but close into the word. For there are therein Three Grades, the Hermit, and the Lover, and the man of Earth. Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
It may not be Judeo-Christian scripture, but it is holy text to some folk. I bring this up not to challenge the beliefs of the faithful, but as an example to consider that morality is based on faith, and not all faiths agree as to what is and is not "moral" and is morality really what we should consider when debating whether or not our fellow countrymen deserve the privelege to serve thier nation. as I have stated earlier, I would be honored to serve with anyone willing to serve beside me. As for Dont ask, Dont tell, Dont persue. I do not believe the ideal behind repealing it is to force anyone to accept or become homosexual, simply to acknowledge and tolerate it. I would predict that initially if it is repealed we will hear alot of " I am gay" being trumpeted about. thats ok, the elation of such liberation should be expressed...then it will become as mundane as heterosexuality and likely die down to less than a whisper..I dont think it is too much to ask to allow free folk to express joy at their newfound freedoms, after all consider that there is not now any restriction on gay or lesbians serving in the military, they are just expected to hide the fact. All they are really asking for is the dignity to answer truthfully if someone even cares to ask, they are asking that their loved ones are treated no different than ours. I cannot comprehend that there is a danger to America's moral fibre by making it possible for chaplains to console greiving spouses of homossexual servicemembers, their loss is no less than ours. I have seen heroes, we all have, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who we praise for their deeds..does their sexual orientation in any way diminish their sacrifice..can we honestly cheapen their valor over something so trivial? I would like to hope not. We are the "Land of the Free" only because we are also the "Home of the Brave" that is something to reflect on while we debate this.. consider this..why does the only part of our national anthem that is routinely sung end as a question? this may not be as much an argument over gay/lesbian rights as a debate over who we are and who we want to be as a nation.

I think that gay's have as much right to feel free in the military as they do in their normal lives. Why would you discriminate against gays when everyone in the military, whether you are male, female, gay, or straight are fighting for the same reason "peace". Let's not build another war while we are trying to end this one. I am a straight person, writting this comment.

To point out the obvious to those who are homophobic about showering with gays...
Well guess what? You already have/are. Probably have since boot. That's the point of don't ask don't tell. They're -in- the military already. Heck some might be friends of yours. Really, being gay doesn't change the person you know, it just changes how you see them.
And what if you encounter someone *gasp* openly gay? Big whoop. ten to one, they won't be attracted to some homophobe ranting on about the "dirty queers". That's like assuming a woman will be attracted to someone who openly proclaims he'll hate them for no justifiable reason other than their own backwards logic.
In short. The gays are already in the military, we're just trying to give them to option to be honest about who they are.
I doubt many will be though when they're presented with such a negative attitude about their preferences.

To point out the obvious to those who are homophobic about showering with gays...
Well guess what? You already have/are. Probably have since boot. That's the point of don't ask don't tell. They're -in- the military already. Heck some might be friends of yours. Really, being gay doesn't change the person you know, it just changes how you see them.
And what if you encounter someone *gasp* openly gay? Big whoop. ten to one, they won't be attracted to some homophobe ranting on about the "dirty queers". That's like assuming a woman will be attracted to someone who openly proclaims he'll hate them for no justifiable reason other than their own backwards logic.
In short. The gays are already in the military, we're just trying to give them to option to be honest about who they are.
I doubt many will be though when they're presented with such a negative attitude about their preferences.

We are all gods children under the sun, gay, straight, bisexual, or confused. Gay soldiers will no longer have to serve in silence, wonderful. The military has had many gay soldiers serve honorably, and in silence. Within the wood work, and frame of the military many gay soldiers continue to serve. Even married straight military couples are hiding thier own homosexual issues, in a fake marriage. Trust me all these things happen within the military. Four years is enough time to learn the inside out of the militaries structures. 10 men to one woman, come on some of those men are hooking up with other men. Stop lieing, and hiding what is so obvious to the world. Step up to the plate and give gay soldiers more rights to serve in the military.

One thing I need to say is that its funny how the pro-gays in military bash the anti-gay in the military for them standing up for their beliefs and vice versa, I believe that neither opinion is right or wrong but based on personal beliefs, my personal belief is my own and what I believe is right, just as someone elses is right in their eyes, I think blogs such as these are made for people to come with ideas and questions and to resolve things together and not to bash each other...like I said before neither side should be bashing the other...one thing I will say is that I do hold the opinion of someone who served in higher regard then those that have never spent a single day in the military and no that doesn't exclude gays cause from reading comments there are those that have served from all walks gay/straight office/enlisted...just because someone is gay or straight doesn't mean they are close minded or idiots for stating what they feel is right...

I don't know why gay men would WANT to serve in the military. Gay women, maybe.

I think it's funny that we're discussing the military and someone just used the words "gay", "blow", and "unit" in the same sentence.

I am a hetrosexual Reservist of 21 years and have known many openly gay people in the serivices. It didn't harm us or them and damn sure didn't affect our mission. We are people, yes humans first. If they follow the standards and rules and do their work what is the problem???

back to the discussion at hand I don't see why people can't open up their minds a little and just let people be people in the military in america just in general if a gay person wants to hide their sexuality that's fine if not that should be fine to stop being so biggoted and worry about your own life, this isn't exactly going to put our military in harms way as far as I know...unless someone else has a valid point

There are, and have been so many gay soldiers within the ranks of the military for decades now. Being open about it will not change the respect one has had for the military. The fear of being kicked out will disappear, and can no longer be held over ones head for coming out. Hate violence might increase within the ranks. Straight soldiers have been showering with gay soldiers forever, and it will continue. I got out of the Marine Corps because of "don't ask don't tell". I was an outstanding female marine, and got an honorable discharge.

Yes of couse they should. Anyone who talks about God hating anything has missed the point. God NEVER founded a country or anything of that nature. Roger Williams (the founder of Providence RI) would be disturbed that the idea that there's only one God to worship still is an issue after all these years. Gay people (both male and female) shouldn't be excluded from wanting to die for their country any more than anyone else. Get off your moral high horse and join the rest of us human beings before you become crusty and die.