A Step Forward
February 4, 2010 4 Comments
“No matter how I look at the issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens”
- Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
It is my sincere belief as a student of American history that a generation from now this quote will be one we remember as a turning point in American culture. The Clinton-era policy of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ was an unfortunate but necessary bridge between old and new attitudes. With the words bravely spoken by Mullens and similar statements by other military commanders as well as the Secretary of Defense, the repeal of this policy and the allowance of openly gay men and women serving in the armed forces seems assured.
I’ve always used this blog as a touchstone for my own personal beliefs, a public forum where I often have a dialogue with myself more than my readers. I’ve struggled with certain ideas linked to gays in our country and what is best for us as the next step forward. While often I have been reluctant to compare the push for gay marriage to the Civil Rights movement of the 50′s and 60′s I cannot help but feel the comparison is apt at this moment. Sensibilities often change when minorities are given a chance to prove themselves. I’m thinking of a quote from General George Patton regarding the first African American armored units to take the field in WWII:
“Men, you’re the first Negro tankers to ever fight in the American Army. I would never have asked for you if you weren’t good. I have nothing but the best in my Army. I don’t care what color you are as long as you go up there and kill those Kraut sons of bitches. Everyone has their eyes on you and is expecting great things from you. Most of all your race is looking forward to you. Don’t let them down and damn you, don’t let me down!”
With a verbal bluntness that could never be used today, Patton accurately summed up the truth behind the inclusion of these troops in American battle plans. Their race was looking forward to them. They were carrying the torch forward in the same way the 7th and 8th Calvary had in the American West and later on San Juan Hill. Maybe this is a stretch with regards to gays in the military, but I cannot help but think this is a turning point.
To my fellow Republicans: Oppose this at your own peril. The military supports it. Trust their judgement.
Mike, very well said. No ne can articulae for me how gay men and lesbian women serving openly will really change things.
I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why sexual preference would matter. When you’re in a foxhole (or more likely today, on patrol), the last thing you’re worried about is the sexual preference of the person who is most responsible (aside from you) for your preservation and well-being. Maybe I’m naive, having never served in the military … but I would imagine it would be very odd to have that, of all things, as a concern.
It;s mostly a ceoncern to those who sit on the sidelines and have an overinflated sense of themselves, suchthat their moral code is suposed to be the ONE that all the world follows. There is still a fairly large segement of society that can’t get past skin color as a limiting factor – even though they hid it better. Does it really surprise you that sexual orientation is any different?
Really, I do believe it’s time that it’s time for this policy to change.
But I question the wisdom of doing it during an active war.
Believe me, I understand that anyone in the military is well accustomed to adapting to whatever bs regulations are thrown in their path.
But when you’re getting combat pay, you’re in a high stress situation.
That is, I think it’s high time, but I don’t think it’s the right time, if that makes any sense.