Posting number: 4
Topic: Politics
Title: 'Don't ask, don't tell': The reality of repeal
Writer: Ed Hornick
Publication name: CNN
Date of publication: December 2, 2010
Length: Full article
a. The whole idea of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy was for recruitment of soldiers and also for the soldiers serving in the war. It was set up as a way to allow homosexual people to join to armed forces without being penalized for their sexual beliefs. The problem that has arisen to this very date is that it is now being debated whether or not it should be repealed. Now the major question, if it is repealed, it what to do with the homosexual people that will be openly exposed and be free to expose their sexuality. The question the military and right party politicians is how they need to deal with the gay and lesbian people in service of the United states. The questions of housing and showers comes up immediately and people begin to wonder if they have to separate the gays and lesbians, or to keeps them unified. Another question comes into play, and it is if the the unit will be unified the way it is, if the repeal is placed. McCain even suggested that the unit would be disrupted in its unification if such thing were to happen at the present time. He also mentioned that the United States was in a time of war and that a disruption in unity could lead to a decrease in recruitment. It all comes down to whether or not people find the repeal damaging or healing.Congress is expected to vote on this repeal either at the end of this year or early next year.
b. So in the end, when congress votes, it can get very complicated. The reason for complication is that there would be a large amount of debate and controversy before and after the repeal is decided upon. With the right party against the repeal and the left party for the repeal, it can be a complete flop and a big mess. The repeal might never even occur because of the partisan politics in the system of the united states. This repeal is going to bring questions that will need to be answered.
c. I think that this whole "don't ask, don't tell" policy can be biased but it can also be a good thing in some senses. I have mixed feelings on the whole policy and my opinion is leaning toward that it should not be repealed. I feel that this policy gives the army a sense of unity in way that all of the soldiers are comfortable with each other.
I am split on this topic. It seems that by now people should be able to express who they are. But this also will result in many complications in the military. I don't think that its a good idea to risk breaking the unity because not everyone is as accepting as one another.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mario on that people should be able to express who they are without any consequences no matter what their sexual preference is. Also in order for the US to stay as a military superpower, we need our troops to be happy with their unit so I am not so sure on risking our military for a group of people.
ReplyDeletePeople should be able to express who they are without any consequences in this country. But some people may not believe in their sexual preferences and may make them uncomfortable, so in both ways it seems to be able to violate the 1st amendment in the way that you have the freedom to believe in what you believe (simple version) but at the same time by allowing people to expose there sexuality freely, is almost forcing people who don't believe in certain sexual preferences to have to accept it. And in that way it's also violating the 1st amendment. Overall the topic is very confusing, and for a very long time the Supreme Court has been trying to stall the hearing of this simply because it's so controversial.
ReplyDeleteMany soldiers say that having soldiers who are openly gay work alongside them will make no difference, there are some who say it may make them uncomfortable. Although I do believe that soldiers should be able to be open about their orientation, if it interferes with soldiers' ability to serve, then it should not be repealed. Most soldiers do not feel strongly about repealing the policy, anyways.
ReplyDeleteI think that people should be allowed to express who they are and that whether they reveal what their sexuality is or not should be completely their decision. They shouldn't have to hide who they are because of a law and they also shouldn't have to reveal any more than they want to. I guess in a way I agree with the "don't ask" part, but disagree with the "don't tell" part of the law. I realize that this law protects them because there are many people who would discriminate against them. However, if they want to be open about their sexual orientation, they should be allowed to. Even though some people might discriminate against them, many people are accepting and it should not affect the army's unity and loyalty towards the country. I think that overall, I agree that the law should be repealed.
ReplyDelete