Colin Powell on “Don’t ask, don’t tell”

10 Responses to “Colin Powell on “Don’t ask, don’t tell””

1. William Teach said:
   

   December 12th, 2008 at 4:42 pm

   Reevaluate to what? What do you think it should be?

2. Silke said:
   

   December 12th, 2008 at 6:13 pm

   I think gay soldiers should be allowed to serve openly. They are serving their country honorably and should be treated as such.

3. William Teach said:
   

   December 12th, 2008 at 8:36 pm

   I’m sure they are serving honorably, but, the big question is, what does that do to unit moral in the field? Would those serving be comfortable, or, would it create an issue? I kinda doubt guys would be very comfortable in close quarters with an openly gay person, no matter how nice or how great the person is at their job.

4. Silke said:
   

   December 13th, 2008 at 6:29 pm

   I disagree, Teach. Remember I went to a school (West Point) that only started graduating women ten years before I did. Fortunately for me and every other woman that has graduated since then, times change.

   I know from my own time in the military (and that was right when DADT was implemented), soldiers usually know when another soldier they are serving with is gay – and they usually don’t care. It’s just not a big deal.

   If the issue is misconduct or sexual harassment, commanders can and should take action to preserve order in their unit. But that has nothing to do with sexual orientation.

5. William Teach said:
   

   December 13th, 2008 at 8:53 pm

   All in all, maybe they should take a survey and see how the soldiers in the field feel about it.

6. Silke said:
   

   December 13th, 2008 at 10:20 pm

   If they had done that at West Point do you think I would have been able to attend?

7. William Teach said:
   

   December 14th, 2008 at 4:20 pm

   There is a difference, Silke, and you know it.

8. Silke said:
   

   December 14th, 2008 at 7:30 pm

   No, Teach, it’s not. That tired argument was used against allowing integration of black soldiers and women. I happen to think our soldiers are professional enough to handle this issue – I’m sorry you don’t.

9. Scott Allan said:
   

   December 22nd, 2008 at 8:04 am

   I’d be curious to see how you would define sexual misconduct? What behaviors would be inappropriate? Would it be public displays of affection? Would that apply only to gays? Let’s just say that’s the next acceptable standard. It won’t be long until there is a movement to change that policy until everything is “equal” such allowing gay military marriages. I feel it should be completely up to the military to decide how to best defend our country. If they feel have openly gay soldiers will not endanger our morale or effectiveness, I’m ok with that, but I don’t believe in social experimentation because of civilian political pressure. For example, the military has a general rule about women not serving in combat roles. I think it is ok for the military to make distinctions like that if they feel it is necessary. There is nothing more important than our security and radical changes should only be made if they IMPROVE our ability to defend ourselves. If eliminating DADT will do that, I’m ok with it, but on the surface I don’t see the benefit.

10. Silke said:
    

    December 22nd, 2008 at 11:17 am

    Scott said: I’d be curious to see how you would define sexual misconduct?

    Ultimately it’s up to the commander but the Uniformed Code of Military Justice outlines a broad spectrum from rape all the way to sexual harassment.

    http://usmilitary.about.com/od/justicelawlegislation/a/art120new.htm

    Would it be public displays of affection? Would that apply only to gays?

    No, the rules for public displays of affection should apply equally to all soldiers

    For example, the military has a general rule about women not serving in combat roles.

    You bring up a very good point, Scott. What is formally recognized and what is actually happening in practice in our military today are two very different things. Women may not formally serve in combat roles but in this day and age they serve on the front lines all the time. Women are regularly attached to combat units in Afghanistan and Iraq and are just as vulnerable to attack and just as important to the mission as male soldiers.

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