TV Schedule

'60 Minutes' "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" story asks and tells


  3. woodywoodbeck
  4. related topics
'60 minutes' aired an incredible journalistic piece on what could be called the US' most unnecessary policy; "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Now a few days after, they are being hailed for the piece by most but drawing fire from some.

What do you guys think? Some would say "Who cares!? These people are willing to put their lives on the line like any other American solider, why not let them fight!?", while others would say "It's bad for the morale of the squad or the unit when they are having to worry about something like that and there is just no place for it!"

Thoughts?

woodywoodbeck

13 responses // '60 Minutes' "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" story asks and tells

  • I don't know if my opinion is non P.C, but I've always thought "Don't Ask, Don't tell" is a sensible policy with regards to sexuality in the military.

    Would a policy of "Ask and Tell" work any better?
    phillyharper
  • It shouldn't be either way. A person who is willing to put their life on the line and fight for their countries freedom in a war or situation where they may die should never have something like that questioned unless they choose it to be. The policy in general should go away and having it only perpetuates the thought that there is something "not right" about being gay when this just isn't the case...clearly!

    It's a human rights issue...
    woodywoodbeck
  • " Don't ask, don't tell" should be abolished for a multitude of reasons, most importantly because it is blatant illegal discrimination by the United States Government.

    What isn't surprising is that every congressman or senator in Washington who has ever stated having gays in the military will be disruptive, bad for unit cohesion and bad for morale, has never served ONE SINGLE SECOND In the military, and that includes the bigot extraordinaire, "Duncan Hunter" who was interviewed at the end of the 60 Minutes story. I think COWARD would be the appropriate term instead of congressman or senator.

    I can tell you from personal experience the United States military is, always has been, and always will be a breeding ground for hate in all of its ugly forms; including racism, sexism, and homophobia. Anyone who tells you differently is a liar.

    Phillyharper: To answer your question, "would ask and tell," be a better solution? NO, it would not. The sexual preference of any individual isn't anyone's business, not yours, not mine, not that worthless piece of scum we have for a president.
    xusmcvet
  • okay don't ask don't tell is bullsh*t.
    I have too many friends in the military right now.
    SOME over in iraq and some on bases her ein the U.S.
    and most of them are gay.
    and most of them are somewhat open.
    it's weird.
    My one friend stationed in oklahoma(who has been to iraq) meets other gay troops constantly and tells me so many crazy stories. There is NO REASON for him not to be able to be completely open. I'm not THAT worried about it though because there's no way that he can "act straight" so i'm sure everyone knows already. But why should I have to be afraid for him that he'll get a dishonorable discharge?!
    Or MY COUSIN whos only 17 and just coming out as a lesbian and just joined the air force.
    Whatever it all just makes me mad.
    ssppeencceerr
  • DADT is a ridiculous policy, and it has been since the beginning. There's no reason that someone who wants to serve their country shouldn't be allowed to do so, without having to lie or repress who they are.

    Besides, the military talks about unit cohesion, and the potential for sexual harrassment, but they don't seem all to concerned about it when it's female soldiers being harrassed by their male colleagues. Apparently, a male soldier being propositioned (as in Barber's story) is a distraction and a blow to morale, but if it happens to a female soldier it's just part of doing business? Amazing how some of these arguments illustrate both the homophobia and sexism that has been allowed to continue in the military.
    sgwhites
  • i agree with bill hicks on this subject that "anyone dumb enough to join the military, should be allowed to....."

    great rant, give it a listen
    4dapunx
  • i with 4dapunx
    Thargor19
  • So all showers and bunk situations should be mixed sex? No? Why? Because the guys would be oogling the girls and there'd be inappropriate behavior. So, in the same way, if it's out that there is a gay person in your squad, it would be weird.
    trevorw
  • it'd only be weird for dumbasses and homophobes.
    just because someone is gay doesn't mean that they hit on all straight guys.
    yeah there are some idiots who will.
    but they don't speak for the majority of homosexuals.
    ssppeencceerr
  • TrevorW - Male on female sexism: In the Armed forces it happens ALL the time, numbers of cases reported every year and it continues to happen with little to no repercussions; certainly not kicked out because of it.

    and sorry to tell you...but there's "gay persons" everywhere my friend...your gym, your office, your grocery story, your public bathroom, your schools...why should people be ridiculed and judged by something that is apart of them; it shouldn't define them!?
    woodywoodbeck
  • Woody, I think I missed something; tell me again how killing Iraqis is their own country is defending our freedom. As a gay man, I like to think that gays and lesbians are perhaps a little more informed and evolved than some of our more conservative counterparts in the straight world, but I do sometimes wonder. Can we not find a more constructive manner in which we can "serve" our country than going to a foreign country and killing its people? I have traveled throughout the world and still find that sort of jingoism offensive. If you truly want to serve, join a volunteer organisation that goes to other countries to build, not destroy, and go to meet other people to help them live, not to kill them.
    I'm not naive enough to believe that there are no foreign insurgents or supporters of terrorism in Iraq-our biggest ally in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, is spending millions to see that there are-but if the roles were reversed and Iraq had its military in our country in order to "liberate" us from ourselves, how many of us would be opposing them? We are an invading force to many Iraqis, and will always be so. Far too many of the women and young people who are killed in Iraq by American soldiers are merely people trying to end what they view as foreign occupation.
    nyingma13
  • @ nyingma13: There is more to serving in the armed forces than the war in Iraq. The military, while being far from perfect, is an incredibly important part of our country.

    That being said, not everyone serves their country the same way. Volunteering is a great way to serve, certainly, but why should LGBT people be denied other opportunities to serve?
    sgwhites
  • Your point is well taken sgwhites, and as a militray brat, I wouldn't have traded the experience of growing up in foreign countries for the world. but in today's context, joining the military is giving-at the least-tacit approval for the illegal war in Iraq, and signing up to kill people.
    nyingma13

Add your response

Login/Registration is required to add a response.