So I was reading through Fox News online a few days ago when a news story caught my eye, that story being about a survey that was just released concerning the topic of homosexuals being allowed to serve in the military. Seems that someone out there took a survey of people who were actually serving in the military and asked them what they thought of the idea of openly homosexual people being allowed to enlist, and whether or not the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law should be scrapped.
And surprise, surprise, a whopping 70% of the people surveyed said they were okay with homosexuals being allowed to enlist, and supported the idea of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” being scrapped!
Honestly, I have to admit that I’m surprised by this. I knew that opposition among service members to the idea of homosexuals being allowed in the military wasn’t anywhere near as strong as it was when I was in the service, but I must admit that I didn’t think it had changed that much. And I also believe that this is a good thing for both those people who want to serve and the nation who needs people willing to serve.
I just flat-out don’t see the opposition to someone being denied the chance to serve their country, to give back something to the country that has given them so much, based solely on the grounds of their sexual orientation. As I’ve said before, as long as someone is physically capable of carrying out their assigned duties, and as long as they conduct themselves according to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, I don’t see why they shouldn’t be allowed in the Armed Forces of the United States. Of course, the UCMJ will have to be amended because homosexual acts are prohibited by military law, but once DADT falls by the wayside I have a feeling that the necessary changes to the UCMJ will take place in very short order.
Unfortunately, there are still some folks out there who don’t see it this way. I had the occasion to have the “homosexuals in the military” discussion with one of them two weeks ago, and it was not exactly what I’d call an either pleasant or enjoyable conversation. This person stated flat-out that he didn’t think homosexuals should be allowed in the military for one reason and one reason alone: because the Holy Bible said homosexuality was wrong. Period. No other dissenting reason was given, because this person thought that alone was enough.
Needless to say, I think this is one of the most ludicrous, short-sighted, unrealistic, and just plain stupid things I’ve ever heard in my entire life, and I told the other person so.
Didn’t matter. What I said didn’t make a dent, not that I expected it to.
Those of you who have been reading my blog or who have talked to me in person know my feelings on religion in general and the Holy Bible in particular, so I won’t bore you with the details. You also know that while I respect the opinions of others and their right to have them, I also will quickly state that no one’s opinion is “right” and the other is “wrong” – they’re “different.” What galls the living shit outta me is when people take those opinions and try to force them on others, or try to dictate how others can and cannot live their own lives because of their opinions – especially when those opinions are based on their religious beliefs, no matter what the religion. As the saying on the bumper sticker goes, “I have no problem with God – it’s his fan club I can’t stand.”
Sure, I’m fully aware that our nation was founded on Christian principles, and I’m all for that. I’m also fully aware that our nation was founded by a bunch of folks who left their native country to avoid religious persecution, too. So be very careful before you start swinging that particular sword around, my friend, because it cuts both ways.
Like it or not, the world is constantly changing around us, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Most of the time it’s for the better, regardless of what some folks will tell you. 35 years ago I would have been one of those people telling you that letting homosexuals into the military would be the death of discipline and the death of the military itself, but as the old saying goes, “That was then, and this is now.” Since then I’ve grown up and matured, and I see things in a broader, more practical sense than I did when I was filled with the exuberance and inexperience of youth. I’ve also had plenty of first-hand experience in some areas to help me wise up and see things for the way they really are.
And the bottom line in this case, in my opinion of course, is that there is absolutely no reason that anyone should be denied the chance to serve their country in the military for the reason that they’re homosexual. What’s more, I fully expect the Department of Defense to abandon the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in the very near future – especially now that the service members themselves are saying it’s OK with them.
I’m sure there are people out there who will vehemently disagree with my opinions and the abolishment of DADT, but all I can say to them is this: Times change. Either change with the times, or get left behind.
It’s as simple as that.
IHC
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