Republican lawmaker urging end to `don't ask, don't tell' policy

Knight Ridder Newspapers ^ | 04/10/05 | STEVE ROTHAUS

[lilylangtree]

Given what's come out of FL lately, anything political from the FL politicians should be viewed with a jaundice eye.

[Cowboy Bob]

Ros-Lehtinen, along with House Republicans Christopher Shays of Connecticut and Jim Kolbe of Arizona

Lets, see. The last two are gay, who wants to bet that Ros-Lehtinen is a lesbian?

[mlc9852]

Wouldn't America's enemies love homosexuals to serve in the military? Actually, maybe it isn't such a bad idea. They don't reproduce.

[EagleUSA]

When will the Congress stop worrying about QUEERS and start worrying about ILLEGAL MEXICANS ????

[Texas_Jarhead]

whatta load

[bbenton]

I bet those new stryker vehicles would look positively lovely in new pastel colors.
How many gay men/women would stay/join vs how many straight soldiers would leave because of this decision. The military is not a place to play social engineering games. I am pretty sure the military's job is to make noise, break things, and hurt people. How would this affect cohesion and camaraderie? God bless the gays serving but there are some jobs some people aren't meant for.

[GregoryFul]

Clearly these moronic twerps never had to share a shower with a raging queer.

[HighFlier]

When will the Congress stop worrying about QUEERS and start worrying about ILLEGAL MEXICANS ????

Both are a problem. One spells the end of our military as we know it. The other spells the end of our country as we know it.

Of course, if the military ends as we know it, so will our country.

[codercpc]

My flame suit is on, and I am ready to be persuaded to change my mind, but I think this is one policy that may be ready to be tweaked. I am not 100% convinced that this policy (don't ask, don't tell) is the best we can do.

First of all, I will defer to active duty military on my opinion, but I think that when the military is kicking out interpreters (which we desperately need at this time) just because they are gay, that is a problem. I am for extremely strict sexual harassment guidelines (heterosexual and homosexual), and I can see the ban on homosexuals in a Navy, at sea, situation, but let's face it, even homosexuals are Patriotic Americans, and if they truly want to serve, why are we turning them away?

As I said, I am ready to be persuaded, but I spoke to my husband about this (former infantry in US Army), and he reluctantly agrees. Especially after the Air Force Academy scandals, what's the difference between sexually charged cadets going after females or males. Shouldn't we just punish wrong doers, and accept the good ones with praise, regardless of their sexual orientation?

[StonyBurk]

The Don't ask don't tell policy never contravened the Law
which remains Homosexual behavior is Not consistent with military service. That being said I nver had any problems
serving alongside homosexuals.When they got stupid -or drunk
and made the mistake of trying to hit on me-- I beat the
fear of God into them. The Manuel for COurts -Martial
United States 1984(1994 edition ) is essentially what it was
when I was on active duty.AndHomosexual behavior is still a
freaking crime. (Articles 120 & 125. Are essentailly as they were when I was active duty.)

[nothingnew]

I'm sick of faggots and their "backers". With "pubs" like these, who needs "dems"?

Sgt. Robert Stout, 23, told The Associated Press. ``But if we have to stay here and hide our lives all the time, it's just not worth it.''

How long before this "bonedancer with Mr. Sphincter" is treated to a code red?

FMCDH(BITS)

[OldFriend]

Evidently these three have never heard of soldier to soldier transfusions on the battle field.

There is a good reason for not allowing practicing homosexuals to serve in the military.

[OldFriend]

As your husband if we would like a battle field transfusion from a practicing homosexual.

[Once-Ler]

Republican lawmaker urging end to `don't ask, don't tell' policy

When I read the title I assumed some Republicans wanted to end don't ask - don't tell and go back to the old system of incarcerating homosexuals in the military. I'd be all for that. Clinton gave us DADT. All through the Clinton administration I read stories about the military being unable to meet recruitment quotas, and it continues today.

[codercpc]

Although you may have a point, I think that became a moot point with Don't Ask Don't Tell. I also know that many of the young recruits are heavy drinkers, which increases their chances of having Hepatitis C, a much bigger short term problem than HIV. HIV is controlled with meds, Acute Hep C is Hell.

There are many other concerns of blood born illnesses, besides HIV, that in the end I would take an alive HIV carrier (if my husband ever needed an in battle transfusion) than a dead husband. As someone who has worked in the health care field for 15 years, I can guarantee I am much more at risk than he is.

[OldFriend]

I prefer to limit my risks.......

[FreeManWhoCan]

!Gracias Ileana! No te preocupes. Los Cubanos en Miami siempre te apoyan. Como antes, tu siempre enseñas que el partido Republicanao no es racista ni hipocrita. Ahora algunos fanaticos no le van a gustar lo que tu propone. Que vidas mas tristes tienen las personas que sieran sus mentes a cambios.

[JohnnyZ]

I think that when the military is kicking out interpreters (which we desperately need at this time) just because they are gay, that is a problem.

What do you think happened in those instances? A bunch of Arabic-speaking interpreters outed themselves and got discharged from the military when we needed them to fight against Muslim extremists. I don't know the answer but the options that present themselves aren't pretty.

[codercpc]

Nothing wrong with that, in fact as I said in my original post, I am not 100% convinced of my own view (kind of on the fence), but you did bring up an excellent point, something I hadn't thought of, but I bet if you asked your wife (if your married), she would agree with me, she would prefer an HIV positive husband (remember now a days you can live for decades with the HIV virus before getting AIDS), to a dead husband.

What if they limited homosexuals to certain jobs in the military (intelligence, etc.) would you be any more inclined to agree with me? I have more problems with females being in the battlefield, and close quarter situations than I do homosexuals. Although I may be the exception to the rule, I happen to know a few lesbians, and none have ever come on to me, I only wish I could say that about all the heterosexual men I know :>