Don't ask, don't tell
It has taken Barack Obama a long time from campaign promise to implementation on this one, and you have to wonder what he's still afraid of.
Today, Defense Secretary Bob Gates indicated that there will be a year of study before this woefully anachronistic policy can be sent to the oblivion it deserves.
We've had fifteen years to study it, so what's left to find out?
There are two clear arguments against delaying matters any further: First, if Obama is worried about political fallout from declaring the policy dead as of now (You're the Commander in Chief, for crying out loud--act like one), the so-called damage has already been done by simply declaring he will end it.
Second, if he's trying to ease the "traditionalists" (to use a kind word) into accepting gays in their midst, there's no better way to get them to work together than to just rip off the band-aid. Gradually introducing them to each other isn't going to make any difference. After all, the sky didn't fall when Truman integrated the services.
The biggest sea-change in our culture on this issue has occurred because so many families have a member who has "come out" within the last couple of decades. That's when people began to realize that gays are just human beings who happen to be gay.
CHAN LOWE has been the Sun Sentinel’s first and only editorial cartoonist for the past twenty-six years. Before that, he worked as cartoonist and writer for the Oklahoma City Times and the Shawnee (OK) News-Star.
Comments
Excellent. As always.
Posted by: Raoul | February 2, 2010 4:19 PM
Oh Great. I look forward to the 1st Annual Army Gay Parade. Maybe we can change out the camo for sequins. And instead of M4's, a Gucci purse they can slap the enemy to death with. I bet the barrack's will be decorated to the T. What a friggin' JOKE.
Posted by: Al Casselsa | February 2, 2010 5:36 PM
Al Casselsa -- Are you trying to be funny (not working), or are you as stupid and retro as your post?
Posted by: OK2BGay | February 3, 2010 1:06 AM
OK2BGay - Did you get home from the Copa and decide to throw your two cents in?
Posted by: Al Casselsa | February 3, 2010 6:19 AM
I certainly feel sorry for those who are trapped in homosexuality, but we should never allow homosexuals in the army to sleep and shower with the soldiers. As a father I could not imagine letting my young daughter sleep or shower with male soldiers. It's the fox in the hen house proverb.
You may know George Washington found out about a homosexual soldier in his army. He kicked him out. And that is the policy we should continue.
Posted by: HootsTheSaxMan | February 3, 2010 8:09 AM
First off, I'm all for getting rid of this stupid policy. But don't you think our government has a little more on their plate to worry about than gays in the military. This is a policy that should be repealled with a quick stroke of the pen but I would much rather have my elected officials be concerning themselves with our financial crisis and the middle east. Not to mention strained relations with China and the earthquake in Haiti. I think the gay community won't mind waiting another year if that's how long it takes.
Posted by: Really | February 3, 2010 9:30 AM
Is Chan Lowe's point that not eliminating "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" now has the same impact as postponing for 1 year the Battle of Bunker Hill (Breed's Hill)? What unadulterated nonsense! GLBTs are the nation's military hope? Please!!!
Even the most hardened Liberal knows that's not true.
Posted by: Larry Cumbie | February 3, 2010 9:35 AM
Larry, I totally agree. I guess we can count on the war being over in a year! LMFAO And Chan, we haven't had 15 years to do a study. The military just doesn't flip a switch to change policy. Btw, when did you serve?
Posted by: DontAsk | February 3, 2010 12:55 PM
Love your stuff, Chan. Thought you might enjoy this musical op-ed piece on DADT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfJDBljXYvw
Posted by: John Forster | February 25, 2010 4:15 PM
Oops. Sent you the wrong link for the DADT op-ed piece. Here's the right one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLLuTg72exE
Posted by: john Forster | February 25, 2010 5:35 PM