The Non-Story Of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Repeal's Anniversary
Today's column is not an actual column, per se, but rather a small collection of random thoughts. The first of these is to congratulate Malcom Fox (whom you all should remember from his cogent and timely reports from the Democratic National Convention here in these pages) for impressing the folks at Huffington Post enough with his writing skills to land a blogger slot in their "Teen" section. We spotted Fox's writing abilities immediately when he asked to blog for us from the convention, and we are pleased to see others second that opinion. So look for Malcom's postings soon in Huffington Post, and we wish him well in his growing writing career!
The second program note to mention is that I am diving back in to the task of finalizing my external writing project, and hence may be taking the odd Tuesday or Thursday off (or, as today, passing off what is clearly not an actual column as scintillating new stuff for you to read). I'm in the home stretch, so hopefully this shouldn't take up too much time.
Thirdly, thanks to everyone for the kind thoughts while ill; I am now once again "better" and running somewhere near 100 percent. Summer colds are a drag. So is flying on commercial airlines. Don't get me started....
Lastly, to justify that headline above, a number of people have been commenting on the anniversary of the full implementation of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal by the military.
The most poignant comment of all is that it is simply a non-story. For all of the fulminating and dire predictions from conservatives and military folks, gay people are now openly serving -- and the U.S. military has not fallen apart as a result! Whoa -- who'd a-thunk it? Western Civilization still stands and America has not been conquered by her enemies. Brave men and women still selflessly serve, and the military is stronger than ever.
Nathaniel Frank over at Huffington Post has probably the best piece I've read on this phenomenon, pointing out what was said before the repeal and what has actually happened. But the best commentary of all is the fact that it wasn't even a big news story. The calamities predicted by repeal's opponents never materialized at all. Something to think about the next time this bunch comes out against some other new policy, eh?
-- Chris Weigant
Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant
The only 'story' is that the VP on the Republican side voted against repealing DADT. Whether or not they'd reinstate it remains to be seen...
Just let me state, FOR THE RECORD..
{michty, pay attention}
I was wrong about the repeal of DADT.
While I have always supported it's reversal, I had felt that the here and now was not the best time to do it.
Apparently, I was wrong about that...
Michale.....
It doesn't surprise me that throughout most of the blogosphere this anniversary went unremarked. All of these right-wing ideologues were getting their panties in a twist, and lo and behold, a year later, there are no problems to report.
I could have predicted this outcome, because I served in the Navy and all the services pride themselves on their professionalism. Give them a job and let them get it done.
I'm gay but I wasn't out in the Navy (long before DADT) but I saw how my shipmates treated gay sailors. Their true criteria was how well someone did their job, not who they went to bed with off the ship.
And most of the people doing the loudest screeching and carrying on were people who never even wore the uniform.
And I can bet you that none of them are going to write an article acknowledging they were wrong and apologizing to our gay military members/veterans either.
I could have predicted this outcome, because I served in the Navy and all the services pride themselves on their professionalism. Give them a job and let them get it done.
I would submit to you that the combat arms of the various services view things a bit differently than other parts of the service..
It's not a position I agree with, but I DO understand it, and it DOES have validity....
I would also point out that the resistance to DADT *might* have little to do with being against gay people and more rooted in military readiness.
If one is to be fair (and isn't that what the gay community is about?? Fairness??) about the issue then one MUST consider that the position of those opposed to gays in the miltary might not be vindictive, but rather sincere concerns...
Michale...
Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I served in the Navy aboard a warship, a cruiser designed to protect the carrier battle groups when not operating independently. We were the "tip of the spear."
And in the navy, everybody aboard that ship is essential to its smooth functioning. Gay or straight, we were all essential parts of that spear.
Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I served in the Navy aboard a warship, a cruiser designed to protect the carrier battle groups when not operating independently. We were the "tip of the spear."
Oh no, you were perfectly clear..
But I am sure that you will agree that firing missiles at a target during war is much less "intimate" (for lack of better word) than sitting dirty, grimy and bloody in a foxhole, where you look the people that you kill straight in the eye..
This is not meant to mitigate or minimize your military role in the slightest.
Liken it to a butter bar that sits in a forward control center that coordinates air strikes and SF units..
Both are combat roles, both vital to the mission, yet the role of the SF is much MUCH different than the role of the butter bar...
I have been both the butter bar AND the SF and I can assure you, it's a completely different mindset...
Like I said.. *I* don't have a problem whatsoever with gays serving in the military regardless of the duty. But I have served on the front lines with men who do and their reasoning IS logical, rational with NO degree of vindictiveness whatsoever...
Gay or straight, we were all essential parts of that spear.
Yes, the counter balance in the rear of the spear is JUST as vital as the tip of the spear...
But, in the end.. Which part is more bloody???
Michale.....
CW,
Brave men and women still selflessly serve, and the military is stronger than ever.
I think there are those who would argue with that last part...
Morale is at an all time low in ALL branches of the military...
While I would pit our Armed Forces against any three nations in the world any day of the week and twice on Sunday, it is undeniable that our military has taken some hits in the morale department.
No surprise, I blame the civilian leadership for lack of just that..
Leadership...
Michale.....
Morale is at an all time low in ALL branches of the military...
Let's see a source for this statement. When President Obama meets our troops, their morale seems very high and they excited to see and meet their CIC.
He ended the war in Iraq. He's winding down the war in Afghanistan. His support for the troops and their families does not end when they come home. He and his wife Michelle support the troops and their families with their words as well as their actions.
Let's see a source for this statement. When President Obama meets our troops, their morale seems very high and they excited to see and meet their CIC.
Yea, they're called "photo ops"...
He ended the war in Iraq.
Thanx to Bush's surge...
He's winding down the war in Afghanistan.
Yea, and look how well THAT is going... Our troops are getting killed by our own "Ally"...
You SERIOUSLY think morale is high??
Michale.....
Every foreign policy "triumph" that Obama has had has been when he has stood on Bush's soldiers..
It's only when Obama struck out on his own, imposed his OWN ideas (leading from behind, etc etc) has disaster struck...
This isn't conjecture or opinion. This is established and PROVABLE fact...
Michale.....
As I said, I'd like to see a link for your assertion that morale is low in the military.
Your feeling or opinion that this is so does not make it so. And as is often said, opinions are like assholes, everyone has one.
Again, a link please supporting your remark.
I have no link to give you. It's just my own personal discussions with military people I know and stay in contact with...
Plus, it can be inferred, considering what a debacle Afghanistan has become due to the mismanagement of the civilian leadership...
Michale.....