Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Link: http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/02/01/senators-clash-over-dont-ask-dont-tell-as-pentagon-readies-ann/
Title of the Article: Senators Clash Over Don't Ask, Don't Tell as Top Pentagon Brass Calls for Repeal
Date Published: February 1, 2010
By: Patricia Murphy

Summary: Many senators are in disagreement over whether or not the current Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy should be repealed. This 1993 law bans all openly gay Americans from serving in the military. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee of their support of the repeal of this law. "It is my personal belief that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military is the right thing to do," Mullen said." He added, "I have served with homosexuals in the military since 1968." President Obama has told the Department of Defense to begin the process of repealing the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law. Many others also support the repeal of this law including Senator Joe Lieberman, Senator Roland Burris, and committee Chairman Carl Levin. Senator Burris called the repeal of the law “a matter of basic fairness like the decision to allow African Americas to serve.” Though many people seem to be supporting the repeal of this law, some people like Senator John McCain and Senator Saxby Chambliss want the law to remain in place. McCain called Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell an "imperfect, but effective" policy. Senator Chambliss stated his belief that homosexuality creates an unacceptable risk to the high moral standards of the military." The specific action that will be taken concerning the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy is yet to be determined.

Opinion: I think that the law put into effect in 1993 should be repealed. A good soldier is one who is loyal to his country. Sexuality has nothing to do with the capability of a person to complete a job or task, and does not limit a person to do their best and make a difference. Though homosexuality goes against a higher, moral law, the United States government has no right to discriminate against gay people, especially those passionate about serving the country, and who are willing to give up their lives for the country. In a study by the RAND Corporation and the University of Florida, military personnel who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan were surveyed and the researchers found that having gay or lesbian colleagues had no significant impact on the readiness or cohesion of a unit. The United States needs as many people in the military as possible. Since this policy was first implemented, more that 13,500 gays and lesbians have been discharged from the military. Committee Chairman Carl Levin said that "We can end [the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy] and we should do it in a way that honors our nation's values." He is correct in this statement. The United States prides itself on not discriminating and being a land of opportunity. However, gays are being discriminated against in the military and are not given the same opportunity as everyone else.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen said "It comes down to integrity-- theirs as individuals and ours as an institution." The United States has to trust that by enrolling into the military, gays and lesbians are guaranteeing that they will have integrity, and have enough integrity to trust that they will adhere to all of the other high moral principles set forth by the military. The United States needs to realize that we are all American regardless of ethnicity, race, or sexuality, and those who want to defend our country should have the right to, regardless of their personal beliefs.