Politics: 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' takes center stage

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- locutus [removed]
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DADT is a discriminatory policy that forbids gay, lesbian, and bisexual Americans from serving openly in the armed forces, and mandates that they be dismissed if their sexual orientation is discovered. President Obama has pledged to end this immoral and inhumane practice.
http://www.examiner.com/x-4383-Portland-Progressive-Examiner~y2010m2d1-Politics-...
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- Community, Politics, Current Tonight, US Politics, 5 more
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- DADT
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ChristopherX
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Why is revealing your sexual identity such a big issue? I have never filled out a job application that asked for my sexual preference. Ok, maybe if you were a porn star that info would be required. My point is this, if a man could shower at work with female employees and they were game, there would be alot of screwing going on. I was speaking for us men, we would screw any chance we could get if given the opportunity. Only an idiot would think that just because you question anything liberal leaning, that would make you conservative. I refuse to pander to popular demand, I will make up my own mind thank you. I guess you get attacked on this site if you refuse to go with the flow, left or right. Progressive thinking does not equate to blind loyalty. Conformity without question is the surrender of free will. I do believe gays should be equally accommadated in our society. Like the trangression of racial equality which by no means is anywhere near completion, it will take time and much effort before we get there.
- 2 years ago
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ChristopherX
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creativesoul76
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ChristopherX:
I for one am always questioning conventional ideas, left or right. That's what make a strong democracy. Why is revealing your sexual identity such a big issue? Thats an excellent question. It's seems to me that if society were more excepting someone regardless that person's sexuality, it wouldn't be an issue at all. It would simply disappear.
If the military had not gone after gay service members, for the sole purpose of remove them from the ranks, this would be a non-issue. It also seems many people are concerned about showering with a gay person. The discomfort a person experiences because of the possibility of being looked at by a gay individual is nothing compared to the fear of being dishonorably discharge simply for not lying about who you are.
Just remember most of the gay people who have been removed from service, where not removed for telling everyone they were gay, or for sexual misconduct. They were often removed after superiors conducted an investigation into that persons background, it was then when the process of removal began. In most cases the soldier in question had served honorably.
- 2 years ago
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creativesoul76
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Denica_Cassandra
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OMG I just watched Dr. James Dobson on Free Speech T.V.... He made such ridiculous statements about gays in the military you just have to wonder ... If they have a real point, why do Focus on the Family and other Christian hate groups simply make up disgusting (and untrue) points about 'homosexuals?' I think it is because the people that would take an inflammatory statement on someone/thing they know nothing about at face value are not interested in real information, but enforcing their own crafted "reality."
- 2 years ago
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Denica_Cassandra
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RoBot_rOcKer
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there are some really ignorant comments people left on this thread. just to name a few chrisx, ibreak(of course) and wankityspanks.
what the hell were you three taught while growing up? you must of had some strange abusive childhoods to think the way you do.
what if i told you guys that you couldn't serve in the military because you because you are ignorant conservatives?
- 2 years ago
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RoBot_rOcKer
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ibrake4rappers13
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RoBot_rOcKer:
I wouldnt disclose that information then
- 2 years ago
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ibrake4rappers13
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creativesoul76
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ibrake4rappers13:
It's not like gay soldiers are waiting to get rid of DADT so they can run around proclaiming to anyone and everyone of how gay they are, that's not what this is about. It's about the witch hunts that have unfairly gone after soldiers who were discrete about their sexuality, but still faced intense investigations and interrogations. Serving openly gay would only mean that they couldn't be discriminated against even if other officers somehow discovered a fellow solder was gay.
I agree, no one should ever force any aspect of their life in somebody else's space after it is known to cause that person needless discomfort. I wouldn't want someone always forcing their religious beliefs in my face. I wouldn't want someone constantly pushing their political views at me either. It would be just as inappropriate for a gay person to insist a strait person, who is clearly not excepting of that individual's sexuality, to have to hear about it all the time.
Gay soldiers have almost never recklessly disclosed such personal information. If a gay officer were insisting that fellow soldier who wanted to be left alone had to hear about their life as a gay individual, I would not stand for such behavior. Respect is a two way street.
- 2 years ago
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creativesoul76
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ryan8566
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ibrake4rappers13:
so you suggest breaking the long held military policy of 'honesty'...and lying?
- 2 years ago
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ryan8566
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ibrake4rappers13
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ryan8566:
Not disclosing is different than lying.
- 2 years ago
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ibrake4rappers13
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bike10
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Gay men and women soldiers bleed and die the same way for straight soldiers. They protect and defend our right to be Americans.
- 2 years ago
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bike10
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creativesoul76
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Today America takes an important step closer toward freedom and equality for all its citizens. If our society is to break loose the shackles of discrimination, we need to create a world where no gay person is in fear of living open and honestly. I can think of none more deserving of equality and respect than a soldier willing to put his/her life on the line to preserve the freedom we all enjoy.
- 2 years ago
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creativesoul76
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ChristopherX
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If they do this, they might as well go coed. I can see the lesbian soldiers showing restraint, but men our sexual animals. Kid in a candy store Yum!
- 2 years ago
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ChristopherX
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Jessicats
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Imagine the how a Taliban guerrilla would feel when his door gets kicked in by a super butch chick wielding an assault rifle. I think the war would be over in a day if we sent a squad of drag queens to Afghanistan.
- 2 years ago
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Jessicats
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ryan8566
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Jessicats:
i'm not sure how referring to 'super butch chicks'...and 'squad of drag queens'
really advances any intelligent discourse. so where do you stand? - 2 years ago
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ryan8566
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Jessicats
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ryan8566:
I'm not a big fan of government sanctioned homophobia I guess. Why alienate a valuable segment of the population if they're willing to help? Can America afford that right now?
- 2 years ago
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Jessicats
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ibrake4rappers13
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And how exactly will being allowed to be openly gay help the soldiers win these wars?
- 2 years ago
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ibrake4rappers13
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ryan8566
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ibrake4rappers13:
an additional 20,000-3000 soldiers.
- 2 years ago
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ryan8566
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ibrake4rappers13
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ryan8566:
You really think Obama's gonna send more troops?
- 2 years ago
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ibrake4rappers13
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ibrake4rappers13
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ryan8566:
If you were gay and really wanted to join the army, you should keep that to yourself, the army isnt a place to find a hot date.
The gun should be their boyfriend/girlfiend
- 2 years ago
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ibrake4rappers13
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flyingkick
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ibrake4rappers13:
Being openly gay and joining the Army does not mean you're looking for a hot date. Think about it- is an obviously straight guy joining the Army for a "hot date?" You know the Army is coed right? I'm sorry, but your comment is retarded.
- 2 years ago
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flyingkick
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ryan8566
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ibrake4rappers13:
and a strait soldier should keep that to him/herself? how is that done? are you willing and able to change your pronouns when asked who you were with?
this used to be done in the private sector 'at the watercooler' talks before employers were enlightened that this is not cost-effective from a business point of view, and discriminatory legally. - 2 years ago
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ryan8566
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ryan8566
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ibrake4rappers13:
maybe you can help (doubtful), what is it about some strait guys that think that every gay gay wants to hit on them...esp. when you can't even get a chick to do you? i'm a lucky kid with enlightened friends that i hang out with who would totally laugh in your face if you said, 'hey, ryan is trying to pick you up'.
- 2 years ago
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ryan8566
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donkeyfly69
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ibrake4rappers13:
@ibrake: he just had a major troop surge. and he's still sending plenty of my friends over there again and again. he's not ending this war any time soon. you really know nothing about the military
- 1 year ago
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donkeyfly69
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ibrake4rappers13
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They need to leave this policy alone, we're in the middle of two wars, im sure theres something else they can focus on.
- 2 years ago
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ibrake4rappers13
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ryan8566
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ibrake4rappers13:
i disagree...in the middle of two wars why would the u.s. want to lose 13,500 (as of 2007) trained military for such a stupid reason?
- 2 years ago
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ryan8566
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wankityspank
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Its some of the same reasons women do not fill combat roles.
And knowing how crazy most Marines are, a gay man is a sure target for abuse, physical and psychological. Its just another distraction that takes the soldier away from the mission. Seems odd why anyone would want to be openly gay in the military anyways, as it is a very conservative culture that does not accept homosexuality in its ranks. And it will probably be that way for a very long time.
So they should leave DADT alone, there are many other ways to serve your country.
- 2 years ago
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wankityspank
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ryan8566
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wankityspank:
are you suggesting a 'crazy strait marine' would overpower a 'crazy gay marine'?
- 2 years ago
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ryan8566
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bailey78
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I don't care who you folks sleep with so long as it is a consenting relationship between two adults. No one else should give a rats ass about it either.
- 2 years ago
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bailey78
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Joey_Snow
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Um...regardless of how you live your PRIVATE life, you should still be able to serve your country to the fullest. Homophobia ceases to amaze me each and every day. What Joe or Sally does in their free time, is none of your business, Now if their ability to serve effectively falls short, that's a totally different argument. Just because you like something else than "supposedly" most of the population, you can't wear the uniform of honor? It's time to grow up people...seriously. Because last time I checked, everyone was up and arms over civil rights not too long ago. This situation is no different. Period.
- 2 years ago
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Joey_Snow
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ryan8566
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Joey_Snow:
everyone is 'in arms' except gays.
- 2 years ago
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ryan8566
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skiersam10
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ugh! thank god! now, if only obama could make gay marriage rights all over the U.S.!!
- 2 years ago
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skiersam10
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FiatSociety [removed]
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Just out of curiosity what is argument for those opposed to repealing don’t ask don’t tell?
- 2 years ago
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FiatSociety [removed]
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chinese_democracy
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FiatSociety:
"I'm a bigot and you should live your life according to my ideals, so do what I tell you to do"
- 2 years ago
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chinese_democracy
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musiker91
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This should be an easy decision. Gay people are just as bad ass as straight people. Why this is even an issue is totally beyond me.
- 2 years ago
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musiker91
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feefer2010
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It's not like gay men can't conrtol themselves when sorrounded by dozens of other men, in fact they likely have sweethearts back home just like hetro men and the same can be said for lesbians.
- 2 years ago
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feefer2010
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Saladin
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I hope it does end, it was a stupid compromise to make to begin with.
Anyone should be able to serve in the military if they are willing and able.
- 2 years ago
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Saladin
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unimatrix0
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This needs to stop - it is time to "end this immoral and inhumane practice."
- 2 years ago
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unimatrix0
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DJverboten [removed]
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unimatrix0:
Right on!
- 2 years ago
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DJverboten [removed]
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ibrake4rappers13
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unimatrix0:
I really doubt it's inhumane in any way.
- 2 years ago
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ibrake4rappers13
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angelaguayo
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Cant wait for this to end, it does take my escape plan if i do join the army or marines but gays being able to be open in the military is so much greater than one person dropping out. One thing Obama can do for ppl who r gay
- 2 years ago
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angelaguayo
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Brazil617MA
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It was about Time Mr. President ! Good Job
- 2 years ago
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Brazil617MA
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DJverboten [removed]
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Democrats have the majority. There's no excuse to have this sit around gathering dust. End it.
- 2 years ago
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DJverboten [removed]
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bailey78
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DJverboten:
Damn What Happen? I starting to think this place sux balls.
- 2 years ago
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bailey78
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My_America
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Right after debating this Congress will debate College Football BCS legality.
Change we can believe in.
- 2 years ago
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My_America