Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Last week marked the 14th Anniversary of Don't Ask Don't Tell being signed into law, as well as a large protest in Washington calling for the law to be abolished. For all of you who don't know, Don't Ask Don't Tell, which will now be abbreviated as DADT so I don't go crazy, was a law signed by Clinton that calls for the discharge of all homosexuals in the military. The idea was supported by military officials who figured that homosexuals would cause difficulties within the ranks; taking some of the oil out of the machine so to speak, and everyone wants a well oiled machine when it comes to the military. However, there are now people, such as Eric Alva, speaking out calling the law a form of discrimination and asking for its abolishment.

Sergeant Alva is right, this law is nothing but blatant discrimination against homosexuals. First they can't get married, now they can't even volunteer to fight for their own country? How does allowing homosexuals into the military cause tension among troops? Are troops afraid they might get hit on, that homosexuals can't fire a weapon, aren't as capable of killing an enemy, or are they simply so uncomfortable around people who are different that they themselves will be unable to do any of the above? None of these are valid excuses, as homosexuals are just as capable of firing a weapon, nor would they have any more emotional problems than anyone else when it comes to dispatching an enemy. Not to mention, if we are willing to allow females into the military, they would cause just as many problems, if not more, when it comes to troops making moves on each other.


John Shalikashvili was the chairman of the Joint Chiefs under Clinton when DADT was passed. Coming from a cnn.com article, "...Shalikashvili supported the policy, believing that openly gay servicemen and women would hurt military cohesion. But in a New York Times editorial in January of this year, Shalikashvili said he was convinced the United States could abandon the policy." Obviously, even top brass agree that this law doesn't hold water in today's society. We really need to stop treating homosexuals as second rate citizens just because they act a little different than the majority of us. And honestly, if they are willing to put their life on the line to defend our country, who are we to slap them in the face and say no?