I have VERY mixed emotions about the death of DADT, most of which revolve around the "Don't fix it if it ain't broke" premise. DADT wasn't broke.
Nate Beeler's 'toon is quite ironic when you consider the source of his inspiration:
Speaking of "on the mind"... if you're wondering what the military thinks of this development... and by that I mean officer and enlisted, active and retired, not soundbites from Talking Head generals and pundits... there's a 95-comment thread at Lex's place on the subject. The troops are NOT pleased.
On a better note... Happy Winter Solstice! I missed the lunar eclipse due to massive cloud cover; Oh, Well. It was the thought that counted.
Buck, I agree. If it ain't broke, it don't need fixin'. This is just another example of a small minority pushing their agenda over the majority, a small minority with an agenda that ignores what's best for the force that provides security for the country. When are we all going to stick our necks out and say like that guy in the movie "Network," "I'm mad as hell and I ain't gonna take it anymore!"
ReplyDeleteI agree Buck, "If it ain't broke don't fix it"! I can recall when DADT policy came into being and how I felt about that. I am conservative as they come, but it is not my place to tell anyone how they should live they're life. Therefore, I will not judge someone because of their choice of lifestyle; however, don't be throwing it up in my face either! There have been gays in the military probably since the beginning of time. I really think that most will choose to stay private to avoid conflict. I never was much for PDA (Public Display of Affection) for heterosexual couples and I sure as hell am not for homosexual couples PDA. As long as they keep it private, so be it!
ReplyDeleteWe're all in agreement so far; this is good. Dale: DADT was after my time, given I retired in '85.
ReplyDeleteI'll ditto y'all. My philosophy in life is IIABTFI.
ReplyDeleteDADT came after my time as well, as I retired in 93. Billy was only eight months into his first term.
ReplyDeleteIt is that thing that government does so well. Creating a problem where there was none. Yup.
And DADT worked. Aboard ship......well.....it could be ugly to say the least.
But I agree with Dale on having a noisy minority shove their agenda in my face. I don't play well sometimes.
I'm just a little apprehensive about what else is in that can of worms that Washington just opened.
ReplyDelete"DADT wasn't broke."
ReplyDeleteReally? You have got to be kidding, Buck. There have been countless discharges due to gay and lesbian servicemembers' personal email being "snooped" by the military. There have been as many discharges due to "third party outings" of gay and lesbian servicemembers.
Maybe it wasn't "broke" because it never, ever worked right in the first place.
Moogie: As I said over at Lex's... I hope the Pentagon is fully lawyered-up.
ReplyDeleteLori: I didn't say there weren't abuses of the policy, coz we both know there were. But as a policy, DADT was a good compromise.
Except for the part about having to live one's life as a lie and without integrity ... oh yes, it was a great policy.
ReplyDeleteAre you looking for a fight here, Lori? Coz I'm not. Your side won... wear it in good health.
ReplyDeleteNope, not looking for a fight. Just trying to figure out why folks think the way they think.
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering why they even messed with it at this point in time. We're at war, shouldn't they be focusing on that important issue rather than shit like this?
ReplyDeleteOn a personal note, I think gays should be allowed to serve without their private lives being an issue, but I'm not in the military and I think active service member's opinions on DADT should be the overriding concern - not the D.C. crowd.
Segregation wasn't broke why'd ever bother to fix that? And things were so great until this "suffrage" thing came about.
ReplyDeleteIn both cases the conservatives lead the charge, violently. The world is learning that xenophobia is a barrier to peace, maybe all of you should listen a little better.
I'm personally happy that a whole bevy of red-blooded Americans now have the option to join (or continue serving) our armed forces without fear of ignorant reprisals and unfair regulations.