The High Cost of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
The United States Supreme Court has decided it will not hear a case about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" .
Army Captain James Pietrangelo II, was dismissed under the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy in 2004. He sued the government, charging that the policy is unconstitutional. But at the request of the White House, the Supreme Court is saying it won't take the matter up.
The issue won't end there, though. And it shouldn't. President Obama stated in his campaign that he would overturn Don't Ask, Don't Tell. And he should. But so far, he has does nothing to uphold that promise, and in the meantime, hundreds of gay and lesbian soldiers are being discharged from the US military. Gay and lesbian activists have asked the president if he is not going to overturn the policy right away to at least stop discharging gay and lesbians soldiers. He hasn't done that either. But gay and lesbian soldiers are not keeping silent. Lt Daniel Choi is one of those people. After appearing on the Rachel Maddow show and coming out as a gay soldier, Daniel Choi was discharged from his National Guard unit. He said in a letter to President Obama:
I have personally served for a decade under Don't Ask, Don't Tell: an immoral law and policy that forces American soldiers to deceive and lie about their sexual orientation. Worse, it forces others to tolerate deception and lying. These values are completely opposed to anything I learned at West Point. Deception and lies poison a unit and cripple a fighting force.So what is going to happen now to Dan Choi, James Pietrangelo and the thousands of other gays and lesbians serving in the US Military? Unfortunately, unless they keep quiet about their sexual orientation, gays and lesbians, even those with special skills needed to fight the two wars were are engaged in, are going to be discharged. More than 13,000 troops have been discharged for being gay since 1993, including 619 in 2008, according to The Boston Globe.As an infantry officer, an Iraq combat veteran and a West Point graduate with a degree in Arabic, I refuse to lie to my commanders. I refuse to lie to my peers. I refuse to lie to my subordinates. I demand honesty and courage from my soldiers. They should demand the same from me.
The whole things seems ridiculous, especially since most other western countries allow gays and lesbians to serve openly and a new Gallup Poll indicates 69% of Americans favor allowing openly gay men and lesbian women to serve in the military.
The Human Rights Campaign issued the following statement:
“The time to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is now. The Supreme Court’s denial of a writ of certiorari in this case, and the upcoming hearing to discharge Lt. Dan Choi, is only further proof that this law is not working and is putting our national security at unnecessary risk,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Every day, patriotic lesbian, gay and bisexual service members continue to be discharged under this discriminatory policy. Every moment that the Administration and Congress delay repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” our nation is robbed of brave men and women who would risk their lives to keep our country safe.”
I really don't know what President Obama is waiting for. HRC is right. The time is now to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and allow our military to stop being distracted by this issue and to do the job of keeping America safe.
© Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Hmm, let’s see, they are letting convicted felons join the military because they are so short handed in the mean time they are discharging soliders who have put their lives on the line, who are very patriotic, love this country and what they do, just because of “don’t ask, don’t tell”? I’m sorry, but is this right? Does the gov’t really think this would cause a problem within the military? My God, they need to put those “cowards” who run to Canada in jail for life or give them the death penalty. They have so much else to worry about, suicides namely. We swore, with our right hands raised, to support and defend the constitution and America against all enemies, forgein or domestic, so help me God.
And the gov’t is saying you can, as long as you are straight. Give me a break. I gave three years to this country, yeah it was peace time but I still did it, that’s all I ever wanted to do. Allbeit, that was before I “knew who I was”. I was honorably discharged after my 3 years, do those people who refuse to live a lie get honorably discharged? How could felons ever be trusted with a weapon? Yeah, they don’t let in murderers or pedophiles, just druggies, alkies, thieves, burglars, and whatever wants to join the military. Let’s see would I want one of those next to me with a weapon or a gay person? I will take the gay person everytime. I’m sorry if I’m long winded, but this is a passion of mine. It shouldn’t matter who or “what” you are. We all take the same oath. God bless America and our brothers and sisters serving, straight and gay. I refuse to live a lie also. Be strong.
The sad truth seems to be that Obama pandered to the GLBT community during his campaign, but in reality has no intention of changing things for us. He doesn’t even agree with gay marriage. Oh, if only Hillary had won the primary…
Oh,good. People in our community can put their lives ,on the line,fight,get killed,get maimed,this is okay. But,don’t let anyone know you’re gay/lesbian,because then we’ll just kick you out!
You know,I voted for Obama. If I had to do it all again,I wouldn’t have voted,at all.
What a great country we live in,right?
With liberty and justice for all,unless of course,you’re gay.
So what if we have gay and lesbian soldiers serving our country? Let’s give them the credit they deserve, at least they have, “the balls,” and “the courage,” to serve “Our Country,” to keep all of us, (including all you assholes, and bleeding hearts out there, that want to run your mouths, and most likely, have never served a day in your life, doing what these soldiers are doing,) and that is, “PROTECTING OUR HOMELAND, KEEPING OUR NATION SAFE AND FREE! If it weren’t for,” ALL OF OUR SOLDIERS,” Gay, Lesbian, or Straight, we sure as hell wouldn’t be able to live the lifestyles we have become accustomed to living. At this time of war, I really don’t give a shit if the person beside me, in my foxhole, watching over my ass, with artillery buzzing over my head, is gay, lesbian, or straight! I just hope like hell that they know how to use their M-16, AK-47, Stinger Missle Launcher, Gernade Launcher, or any other type of weapon they may have been issued!! Lt. Dan Choi had to earn his rank! To become a Leutenant, didn’t just happen over night. He put in a lot of blood, sweat, tears, anger, courage, dedication, discipline, long hours, and pride. Not only self pride, but pride knowing he was doing it for , “HIS COUNTRY and OUR COUNTRY!! It wasn’t just given to him. Most likely he had to do it the hard way, in combat, facing his enemy, with pride and courage, like the “MAN and SOLIDER” he is, and always will be! Unless you, yourself, have been in this situation, you have no idea what you may be faced with, or what your reactions would be. Lt. Dan Choi was serving his country, and following the orders he was given! So what if he is gay? He is still a MAN, and most of all, he is, and always will be, an “AMERICAN SOLDIER.” Come on, this don’t ask, don’t tell shit, is for the birds. This is the 21st Century! We, as citizens of, THE UNITED STATES of AMERICA, should be, THANKFUL, GREATFUL, HONORED, and SUPPORTIVE, to EVERY INDIVUAL. NO MATTER if they are, GAY, LESBIAN, MAN, WOMAN, or STRAIGHT. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!!! AND I AM VERY PROUD OF EACH AND EVERY SOLDIER, who is out there, serving in our Military, risking their own lives, to protect mine, and yours! Not to mention, “MY COUNTRY,” the land of the “FREE” and BRAVE!”