Don't Ask, Don't Tell

[Mia14]

What do you think about the military's official policy of "don't ask, don't tell" for gays in the military?

[Vortex]

It is a reminder that politicians are willing to compromise on matters of equality.

[BruceChris]

It is a reminder that the longer "they" can reduce the visibility of responsible members of our community, the longer "they" can maintain the fiction that we are all creepy people, hiding in the shadows and doing things that nobody should talk about.

Peace and Love, BruceChris

[suzer1013]

I think sometimes compromise is a necessary step toward moving forward. I think the don't ask, don't tell policy is not as bad as some make it out to be -- it's better than what was previously in place, witch hunts and automatic dishonorable discharge.

Alot of folks were disappointed (some outraged) at Bill Clinton for this compromise. I was disappointed, but grateful that he at least raised the issue and made a change (even if it wasn't exactly what we hoped for). I understand the difficulty and slow pace of change. It was a tiny step in the right direction.

However, I think it is time to take another step toward full inclusion of GLBT in the military. It won't happen under the current Administration, though. I really don't know when it will happen, but I hold out hope that it can and will someday.

Susan

[Vortex]

Originally Posted by suzer1013

I think sometimes compromise is a necessary step toward moving forward. I think the don't ask, don't tell policy is not as bad as some make it out to be -- it's better than what was previously in place, witch hunts and automatic dishonorable discharge.

Alot of folks were disappointed (some outraged) at Bill Clinton for this compromise. I was disappointed, but grateful that he at least raised the issue and made a change (even if it wasn't exactly what we hoped for). I understand the difficulty and slow pace of change. It was a tiny step in the right direction.

However, I think it is time to take another step toward full inclusion of GLBT in the military. It won't happen under the current Administration, though. I really don't know when it will happen, but I hold out hope that it can and will someday.

Susan

This is true; compromise is a very important and necessary component in the political process. The problem is though we are not talking about compromise on funding for a bridge here, we are talking about allowing ‘Law’ to state that a segment of the population is not entitled to the same freedoms as everyone else. This to me would seem to be a moral imperative not worthy of compromise.

Perhaps that’s just my wanting things to be set ‘right’ now, and not put off till later while people must live with it everyday. I admittedly lack patience in matters such as these, but will give the idea of compromise in the face of a moral or ethical argument more thought.


Vortex