Don't Ask. Don't Tell. Don't Work.
Earlier this month, Lt. Dan Choi, an Iraq veteran, West Point graduate and Arabic linguist, was dismissed from his position with the Army National Guard for publicly acknowledging that he is gay. His dismissal was due to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the federal government’s policy that bans lesbian and gay people from serving openly in the U.S. military.
Dismissals such as Lt. Choi’s couldn’t come at a worse time, either for the armed services or for the gay and lesbian servicemembers who have served our country. The military is desperately trying to recruit and retain qualified personnel to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan while the recent economic downturn makes it difficult for fired soldiers to find employment after being sent back home.
Here’s Civil Discourse cartoonist Matt Bors’s take on the situation:
We hope Congress will soon take action to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, so that gay and lesbian Americans who want to serve their country can get out of the unemployment line and back out on the front lines.
Jun 2nd, 2009 at 10:26pm
Like the 43 that came before him, this president doesn't get us at all. Read more @ http://tinyurl.com/cymw44
Jul 1st, 2009 at 1:50pm
Re: Don't Ask, Don't Tell:
If your house was burning, and your wife was inside screaming, would you ask the fireman who is going in to save her, "Are you gay or straight?"
Jul 2nd, 2009 at 12:38pm
The bottom line is that the US military wants to shield itself from the thought of "Gay rapist" from attacking, overpowering, and having his or her way with a "straight" soldier who is powerless to prevent it. A fear, I might add, that women in this society, have to live with everyday. The Don't Ask, Don't tell policy is the worst form of homophobia and has no place in the military who's exemplary acceptance of diversity throughout it's history demonstrates that it can live without, and thrive, by allowing avowed homosexuals to serve their country without fear of "exposure.."
Nov 2nd, 2009 at 7:56pm
Don't ask don't tell is the most stupid and ridiculous form of homophobia out there. Why shouldn't someone be able to fight for their country and savor our freedom just because they love differently than most do? For years we have had African Americans serving in our military and it has done nothing apart from better our country and help us become more united. If we are to call ourselves the UNITED States of America then we need to start acting like it!!!!!! We can not honestly call ourselves this until we unite everyone together into one community. We can't leave anyone out even if they do love differently. As Americans we aren't supposed to discriminate at all yet we do everyday. We don't let gays or lesbians get married and we don't let them join the military so why do we bother calling ourselves united? It's like leaving out the fat kid and picking on him and teasing him. "We can do this but you can't because your fat." is "We can do this but you can't because your gay." What have we come to in this country? Do we always need someone to discriminate against? Is that how we survive, like the bullies from grade school?
Nov 23rd, 2009 at 2:56am
As both a gay American and a veteran of the Vietnam War, I am apalled that the biased "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy is still the law of the land. A person'job should NEVER be jepordized simply becase of who he or she is. This discrminatory policy is just as bad as the "Seperate But Equal" poicy of the 1960's. As a member of the ACLU,I am also dissapointed in the lack of leadership your organization has provided. You consistently allow President Obama to get away with fabricating the impression that Congress must first debate this issue before there can be any change. THIS IS NOT TRUE! At some point in time, Congress would have to debate the issue. BUT,as Commander-In-Chief, President Obama could sign it out of existence TODAY by siginig an executive order. LBGT people were a big part of Obama's Presidential victory. However, actions speak far louder that words and now (a full 10 months ito his presidency) both he and the ACLU seem to have failed us. Our image as second class citizens endures!
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