Gay Military Bill Defeated

[BushMasterBoy]

At least some common sense

[ghettodub]

bwahaha, the title of this thread...

[BigBear]

I'm not homophobic (even though I do not agree with their lifestyle choices) but I do think this bill being defeated is a good thing...

[jerrymrc]

I have no problem with anyone's lifestyle choice. I am just not sure that it fits in with the Warrior aspect of the Military. Exhibit "A": http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=286_1284572587

Not too sure if I would want some of these "killers" watching my six.

[Irving]

I don't see why it matters. You aren't allowed to do anything but what you're trained to do anyway. It's not like smokers get to break rank to have a quick smoke or anything. Ya feel me?

[OneGuy67]

As someone who has spent 17-1/2 years in uniform on active duty, reserves and now in the national guard with multiple deployments under my belt, I can tell you that I and many of my military peers are uncomfortable with having gay men in our ranks.

The fact of close quarters brings about a sense of uncomfortableness. It isn't the fact they may or may not be able to fight; it is the down time, the closeness of the settings that brings about the concern. Surprisingly, lesbians do not bring about the same uneasiness for me, which may have to do with the fact they are not interested in me in any way. It is gay men that causes that feeling.

Now, before anyone says anything, I am comfortable around gay men in social settings. My close cousin was gay and while I didn't like his lifestyle, it didn't bother me to associate or hang out with him. It did make me uneasy to watch him as he attempted to meet other guys and I would leave before the action ratcheted up to physical involvement.

Anyway, I am glad that they didn't vote to end DADT. The military has been soliciting the opinions of the military personnel and I don't know exactly how that will come out. I have heard the new commandant of the Marines has come out vocally against repealing DADT. I wish other leaders would do so as well.

[Troublco]

I don't really care what anybody chooses to do in the privacy of their own home, but what people have to remember is that when you're in the military, you don't have all the same rights and privileges as civilians. You go where you're told, you do what you're told, and you follow regulations. Civilians have freedoms that military members do not. Military members follow rules civilians don't have to. My personal opinion is that people who have never been in the military don't have a realistic grasp on what is required; they base their opinions and decisions on their experiences but not necessarily on military requirements. I think this decision was a good thing, I understand that others may not agree. The thing you have to understand is, working together in the military IS NOT like working together in the civilian world. I could try to describe it to those who don't know what I'm talking about, but I doubt I could do it justice.

[Irving]

but what people have to remember is that when you're in the military, you don't have all the same rights and privileges as civilians. You go where you're told, you do what you're told, and you follow regulations. Civilians have freedoms that military members do not. Military members follow rules civilians don't have to. My personal opinion is that people who have never been in the military don't have a realistic grasp on what is required; they base their opinions and decisions on their experiences but not necessarily on military requirements. I think this decision was a good thing, I understand that others may not agree.

This is pretty much what I'm talking about. It doesn't matter if people are openly gay or not, because it shouldn't ever come up. You can't even walk around with your shirt untucked, so people sure as shit aren't going to be skipping around singing show tunes all the time making others uncomfortable. If someone makes a pass at a dude, he'll have plenty of time to rethink his actions while his jaw is healing.

I guess I'm just saying that it doesn't matter one way or the other, because no one is going to be allowed to "act" gay anyway right?

[Troublco]

The problem as I see it is that they're looking for an exception to the rules; what's to say they don't stop looking for exceptions once they get this? They can already serve as long as they keep their orientation to themselves. Why is it that they feel the need to openly flaunt it? You damn near can't be openly religious in the military now, so why should you be able to be openly gay?

Oh, Stuart - if someone went skipping around and made a pass at someone and got slugged for it, the problem would be with the person delivering the slug NOT the receiver. Bad conduct, not in keeping with military discipline. The old days where you engaged in wall-to-wall counseling are long gone.

[Irving]

I totally agree with that. Gays should just drop this one. I have a feeling that they would, but stupid politicians keep pushing the issue because they think it will get them votes.