I served 22 years in the United States Air Force. I am more than certain, no, I know for a fact that some of the people I served with were homosexuals. They were in the closet of course and if it their sexual orientation were ever made known, regardless of how valiant and efficiently they had served, this was reason for them to be expelled immediately from the military with no further explanation needed.
While most guys (and women) I served with probably didn't care or maybe felt that this was proper...even then I felt as though somehow this was unfair. If someone is doing a good job and risking their life, same as I...then they ought not have to be thrown out ,just because of who they preferred sleeping with.
That to me was as silly as throwing me out if say ,I preffered women that wore red shoes and had a tooth missing...You see where I'm going with this? Apples and Oranges..One thing has nothing to do with another.
Today the U.S. is one step closer to joining the rest of the civilized world..Declaring that members of the military will no longer be asked to lie, President Barack Obama fulfilled a campaign promise Wednesday and signed a landmark law repealing the ban on gay men and women serving openly in the armed services.
"This is a good day," a beaming President Obama said. "This is a very good day."
The new law ends the 17-year-old "don't ask, don't tell" policy that forced gays to hide their sexual orientation or face dismissal. Its repeal comes as the American public has become more tolerant on such issues as gay marriage and gay rights in general.
"I say to all Americans, gay or straight, who want nothing more than to defend this country in uniform, your country needs you, your country wants you, and we will be honored to welcome you into the ranks of the finest military the world has ever known," President Obama said.
Pentagon officials must first complete implementation plans before lifting the old policy — and the president, defense secretary and chairman of the joint chiefs must certify to lawmakers that it won't damage combat readiness, as critics charge. But President Obama said: "We are not going to be dragging our feet to get this done."
And we shouldn't. We've allowed Blacks and Women to serve in the Military and now we have finally stopped this foolishness about not allowing gay men and women the right to serve and risk their lives for our country. Oh I know a lot of old timers (if there are any left) are gnashing their teeth and are pissed off about this. Change effects people like that....They are longing for the old days.
I'm reminded of what Slim Charles told Bodie on the Wire..."That's the thing about the old days...they the old days."
While most guys (and women) I served with probably didn't care or maybe felt that this was proper...even then I felt as though somehow this was unfair. If someone is doing a good job and risking their life, same as I...then they ought not have to be thrown out ,just because of who they preferred sleeping with.
That to me was as silly as throwing me out if say ,I preffered women that wore red shoes and had a tooth missing...You see where I'm going with this? Apples and Oranges..One thing has nothing to do with another.
Today the U.S. is one step closer to joining the rest of the civilized world..Declaring that members of the military will no longer be asked to lie, President Barack Obama fulfilled a campaign promise Wednesday and signed a landmark law repealing the ban on gay men and women serving openly in the armed services.
"This is a good day," a beaming President Obama said. "This is a very good day."
The new law ends the 17-year-old "don't ask, don't tell" policy that forced gays to hide their sexual orientation or face dismissal. Its repeal comes as the American public has become more tolerant on such issues as gay marriage and gay rights in general.
"I say to all Americans, gay or straight, who want nothing more than to defend this country in uniform, your country needs you, your country wants you, and we will be honored to welcome you into the ranks of the finest military the world has ever known," President Obama said.
Pentagon officials must first complete implementation plans before lifting the old policy — and the president, defense secretary and chairman of the joint chiefs must certify to lawmakers that it won't damage combat readiness, as critics charge. But President Obama said: "We are not going to be dragging our feet to get this done."
And we shouldn't. We've allowed Blacks and Women to serve in the Military and now we have finally stopped this foolishness about not allowing gay men and women the right to serve and risk their lives for our country. Oh I know a lot of old timers (if there are any left) are gnashing their teeth and are pissed off about this. Change effects people like that....They are longing for the old days.
I'm reminded of what Slim Charles told Bodie on the Wire..."That's the thing about the old days...they the old days."
3 comments:
Love that quote there bro,
"That's the thing about the old days...they the old days."
As far as I'm concerned there could not be more factual statement right now.
I'm not saying that's a bad thing either btw!
LOL
Haven't commented in a minute. Hope all is well and you and yours have a wonderful Christmas my friend.
I heard that Jesus was born on Christmas bro, LOL, funny how so many folks don't buy into the true reason for the season.
Some folks are just way too one dimensional I guess and don't care to think outside the box.
I am recent to you blog and as a former service member I agree with you about DADT and its repeal.
As much as it is about prejudice, this is an issue of civil rights. As blacks we think we own the phrase. Whenever a specific group faces discrimination, they are having their civil rights and human dignity violated.
Anywho, it is about time.
A Good & honest post, my Brotha.
The thing that amazes me about this issue is that the US is practically one of the last countries to still have such an archaic, repressed attitude about gays in the military. Nearly every other nation had long ago eased those same restrictions. So in many ways, as progressive as we like to THINK we are, we're actually behind the times on this & many other societal issues.
Maybe the repeal is a large historic step, but it's really a small one in the greater scheme of things. Sometimes America needs to be reminded to live up to its creed!
Happy Holidays, Keith!
One.
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