The End Of An Error

As a member of the Armed Services having to fight to support America, America needs to support to the military. Gays are in the military, we all know that. But changing the rules that the military has to live and die with during wartime is idiotic. While the ones in Washington, New York or San Fran can feel good what they have done for the military (And more importantly themselves), they don't have to live the change in dynamics in a battlefield.

You train and train to know how your team will react in a firefight to kill the enemy. How much thought has gone into how this will change the dynamics on a team in a forward location. Changing one bit will have effects that you don't have to live with.

DADT is wrong. But don't change it when people are dying and have to worry about enough things. I have to guess that this will be too much for anyone NOT in AFG or IZ to understand.

The military is not a Democracy and the public opinion only matters because of politics. Politics ruins so much of our lives, why should it cost some young troop their lives for your opinion.

Oh, and to the ones afraid to share a shower with someone who might be sexually attracted to them: A) there are gays there right now, do you know who they are? B) get over yourself, who says you're attractive, especially with that kind of attitude and intellect?

I am very pleased that this shameful issue appears to be nearing its long-overdue resolution. I am an honourably discharged Navy vet., who was dishcarged because my sexual orientation was discovered when an officer illegally read a personal letter I had left at my workstation (yes, I'm gay). I was honourably discharged due to the high quality of my service, my dedication, and the pride I took in the Navy. At the time I was confronted with the issue, I chose to be honest, although at that time (I was only 19) I had not really engaged much in sexual activites, and I had NEVER done anything to "disgrace" my uniform. The X.O. of my squadron (a decorated Viet Nam pilot) told me personally that it broke his heart to have to lose someone of such value, while other, less dedicated individuals had to be kept on. He told me that he hoped that one day the military would "wake up". Maybe that day is at hand.

The DADT policy is an embarrasment to our military and our nation. There is no reasonable explanation for it and therenever was. End the non-sense policy now.

Would you force a female soldier to share a room and bathroom and showers with a heterosexual man? Of course not. It is not reasonable to say that soldiers must be forced to sleep, bathe and use bathroom facilities with other soldiers who could be sexually attracted to them. Again, would you allow female soldiers in the same showers at male soldiers? Of course not, You would never say that keeping male and female heterosexual soldiers in separate sleeping and bathroom quarters is discrimination. By the same token, gays SHOULD be allowed in the military, BUT you must never allow solders who are sexually attracted to each other, whether they be heterosexual or homosexual, to share sleeping and bathing spaces. If separating male and female heterosexual soldiers is an accepted and non-discriminatory practice, then you must maintain, by the same standards, separate heterosexual living quarters for the same reason. Again, separate heterosexual living and bathing spaces based on gender have been the norm since females have been allowed to serve in the military. This standard has been extremely successful. It is imperative that this standard be maintained, while still attempting to find a way to be inclusive of all who want to serve.

The U.S> will have no moral authority to urge other governments to address anti-gay prejudice or the murder of gay men in Iraq, for example, until this policy is overturned.

Anna, thank you for still trying to bring and instill logic into issues that for whatever the reasons, biases and policy makers paradigm just lacking any reality and long term thoughtfulness. Please do not stop. You have an army of intelligent followers.

Anna, thank you for still trying to bring and instill logic into issues that for whatever the reasons, biases and policy makers paradigm just lacking any reality and long term thoughtfulness. Please do not stop. You have an army of intelligent followers.

Thank you, Anna, for your always-compassionate writings for civil right. Unlike writer Cummings, who writes only as a gay man for men, you write for all, men, women, gay and straight. I enjoy your columns whatever the subject.

Funny how those opposed to rescinding the policy, including members of the armed services, throw out "unit conhesion" as their primary rationale. The military kicks people out, right up until the point when the buillets start flying. Then they implement policies that "suspend" dismissals during active combat. Once the bullets stop flying, they start kicking people out again. The "unit cohesion" argument only seems to apply during peacetime.

It is interesting that all who are against elliminating the policy conveniently ignore the success of those countries that did. Gays attacking straights in the barracks??? This only exhibits the total ignorance of those who know nothing about gays expect the empty sound bites that they pick up from their brain dead macho buddies or the local pastor.

Great article. I served 22 years in the military and saw first hand the harm this law perpetuates. We must repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and allow gay and lesbian service members to serve openly.

As always Anna gets it !!!! Thanks . Joan