Subscribe to Breaking NewsWithers: Another blow against Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
No one here needs to be convinced, at least I don’t think so, but now an article in the Pentagon’s top scholarly journal says its time to get rid of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Air Force Colonel Om Prakash, who works in the office of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, wrote the essay for Joint Force Quarterly; he studied the topic as a student at the National Defense University and his findings give no wiggle room for those who still believe in DADT.
“After a careful examination, there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that unit cohesion will be negatively affected if homosexuals serve openly,’’ the colonel writes. “Based on this research, it is not time for the administration to reexamine the issue; rather it is time for the administration to examine how to implement the repeal of the ban.’’
It would be easy to be dismissive of Prakash’s article, but that would be foolhardy. It wasn’t published in a “gay rag.” While you might not see Joint Force Quarterly next to Out or GQ, it is the reading material of military personnel who make policy. Secondly Colonel Prakash knows the deal. He admits getting rid of the gay ban will cause issues in some units, and violence to some gay and lesbian soldiers. However, like all military problems, one word will be key: leadership.
“No doubt there will be cases where units will become dysfunctional, just as there are today among heterosexual leaders. Intervention will be required; such units must be dealt with just as they are today – in a prompt and constructive fashion.’’
“A prompt and constructive fashion.” Hopefully a general will pass this article along to the Obama White House.
You don’t have to be a citizen to be in the military; all you need is a green card. You know, like the 9/11 terrorists. So what is to stop an enemy power from getting one of its citizens to infiltrate the military, then (in the middle of the showers or the barracks) proclaim himself gay and completely disable and dishearten our military? They could win a war without firing a shot!
If the rationale for DADT were true, revealing it would be treason. I think the military is finally realizing that DADT really portrays them as a bunch of sissies who’d swoon if they knew a faggot was in the room.
DADT has got to go, and the military has realized that the slander has to stop.
I thought that Obama had more important things on his mind right now. Especially the economy and healthcare reform. So if he is so busy with those things, how come he went to Copenhagen to vie for the 2016 Olympics? I’m pissed off that he claims that he’s too busy doing this or that! Obama, I truly am disappointed in you. You will not get my vote for re-election, PERIOD.
It’s always been obvious that DADT was based on the prejudices of the people who authored it, and not any scientific research.
In the Spartan and Theban militaries of ancient Greece, the principle was just the opposite of DADT. It was believed that sex amongst the soldiers (and the solders were encouraged into love affairs with each other) PROMOTED cohesion, and helped the soldiers to fight with vigor and valor. They believed that if all of the soldiers were lovers, they would work harder to defend each other, and be more willing to die rather than be disgraced in their lovers’ eyes.
So much for DADT.
What right do I have to ask a person to lay down their life for my freedom and not allow them to be who that are?
When it does get repealed I don’t expect for everyone to come out at once. There will be some who do. The main thing is you would no longer have to worry 24×7 about using the F word in the wrong context.
Fabulously yours
Bob
Congressman Hastings has already requested the administration to stop the discharges. Obama basically told to shut up. My prediction is that DADT will have to be ended by a republican. Apparently the dems can’t or won’t end this. Sorry but wait until the new administration in 2013.
I’m glad to see the push for this coming more and more from military personnel. I want this thing repealed so very badly, but I also want our armed forces to continue to function in an efficient manner. While I don’t think having queer individuals serving in the military are a threat to that I do think that the sudden change will cause turbulence, with most of the strife being the result of the culture created by DADT being in place. So I hope they begin aggressively crafting a plan to responsibly trash it.
Wow.