sleepy jack

Oh hey I'm President Obama. I said I would reppeal Don't Ask Don't Tell and even campaigned on that promise - you know the one that it was absurd to deny talented men and woman the right to serve their country. Forget all that though. Right now I'd rather let the Bush administration get away with murder and pretend certain atrocities never happened while a talented and much needed translator is fired for a biological condition which impairs his work in no conceivable way. YES WE CAN!

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Freebase Dali

Yea, it sucks that homosexuals aren't allowed to be open about it while serving in the military, and eventually I believe the general outlook towards homosexuality will change enough to affect the military's stance on it (and maybe Obama will do something with that Military Readiness Enhancement Act), but as of right now, if gay Americans want to serve their country, they just have to keep their superiors out of the know regarding their sexual orientation.
It's probably the least demanding thing when compared to the other crap the military throws at its members.

Also, it's a nice loophole to have, the whole thing...
If someone wants out of the military, all they have to do is provide some compelling evidence that they're homosexual, and they can get out without a negative discharge. Anyone can use it, but I'd say that homosexuals have the upper hand when it comes down to providing proof.

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sleepy jack

Yeah you're right. Outright discrimination is nice; I love the freedom they have in the military. You can't be open about something you can control but you can tell everyone you're fighting Muslims for God.

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Bane of your existence

Who in the military says they're fighting Muslims for God?

Alfred

Dude.

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Freebase Dali

I see what you're saying, but as with a lot of other things humans aren't getting right, it's going to take some time before we see a non-discriminating military.
At least there's somewhat of a middle-ground that allows homosexuals to serve in the military at all, albeit under a requirement to not be one's self.
But in that context, and I can tell you from experience, the military is the LAST place you'll ever be able to express any individuality whether it's sexual in nature or not.
I don't agree with the sexual part, but as far as everything else, it just wouldn't be a very effective military if it wasn't strictly controlled.

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sleepy jack

"We hunt people for Jesus.... That's what we do." | Slog | The Stranger

This isn't even something that's new. There's a deliberate attempt by evangelicals to create "military missionaries" and they've passed out more than bibles; there was one instance where they passed out comics of Muhammad burning in hell. They do all this in full US military uniform. One side of this war already is convinced this is a cosmic war and a crusade. We don't need guys in Jesus jerseys to vindicate this ideology. It's counterproductive.

That's not the point. Obama said he was going to abolish this pointless policy and he's already said he's staying out of this situation. I don't want to hear "oh that's just election talk" if he's going to claim to be the left's white knight he needs to stop talking about it and start acting it.

The individualistic argument strikes me as silly - you're allowed to be openly heterosexual but not openly homosexual? How is one more individualistic than the other? Because it isn't the societal norm? It's absurd to treat it like they're both anything more than biological conditions which can't and shouldn't be hidden and shunned in the corner based on what certain facets of society deem as "moral" or immoral."

Dan Choi Explains 'Why I Cannot Stay Quiet' - ABC News

There's more than that; it's not a simple case of keeping "I'm gay" quiet. As Choi points out you have to hide the fact you have a boyfriend, whereas heterosexuals can be as open as they want about their wives and girlfriends. It isn't fair in the slightest and Obama's pussying out shouldn't be excused.

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Bane of your existence

Gays shouldn't be in the military because they can't fight. They're weak. What are they gonna do, bejewel their camo?

sleepy jack

Or braid all them bearded arabs.

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Thrice

I know many *** men (and butch women) that would tear you up. I also knew many *** folk in the military that were getting kicked out after an attempt to represent a rainbow belt buckle or reasons alike. Do you do much fighting?

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Lew Harrison, who looked like an anarchist with his red eyes and fierce black beard, had been writing furiously in one corner of the room. "That's good—happiness by the kilowatt," he said. "Buy your happiness the way you buy light."