Much of the Web talk among members of all branches of the military this week has focused on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the 1993 military policy that prohibits gays and lesbians from being open about their sexuality. On Tuesday, Federal Judge Judge Virginia Phillips ruled that the policy violates service members' First and Fifth Amendment rights and imposed an injunction. The Dept. of Justice will appeal the judge's decision and asked the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to stay the injunction. President Obama, as well, while he supports the repeal of DADT, is seeking a halt to the current injunction.
All of this has left many members of the military as well as the general public a bit confused about the future of the policy. When addressing controversial issues that could put their career in jeopardy, Web chats among service members - even anonymous ones - are sometimes understandably muted. Not so at the Military Times forum, where people are speaking their minds on DADT. Here are some comments from a particularly lively thread titled "DADT is still in effect":
Crewchick: "It is critical that service members still do NOT come out. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual service members continue to remain vulnerable under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'."
Thundxderhorse 19: "I'm tired of having to lie to my superiors, peers, subordinates, family and friends about all of the gay and lesbian members in the military. The worst case I ever witnessed was at BAMC in San Antonio; a homosexual Army doctor was married to a lesbian Army nurse...and they went out and adopted two children to make them look normal. The doctor retired as a 1-star and the nurse retired as a Colonel. DADT has been a joke since its design and implementation."
Ratsaman: "Wouldn't it make more sense for the Dept of Justice/DoD/the Administration to just come out and say, 'Look, we've spent enough time and money in court on this--let the judge's decision stand and we will press forward.'?"
Smarg: "Homosexuality is a filthy, disease-ridden practice explicitly condemned by God."
Variable Wind: "Smarg is a filthy, disease-ridden abomination condemned by God."
Spirit Eyes: "i treat people by how they act, not who they sleep with, etc. truth - i've had some gay people treat me awesome, so i'm just trying to pay them back by keeping my nose out of their bedroom. (and stay out of mine)."
TNMAGNUM: "My friends aren't gay.....like yours are."
Seasons: "That's seriously gonna be your comeback? Preschool called. They want their insults back."
TNMAGNUM: "Are you in preschool? I guess you are since they called you......Are you worried one of your friends are going to get in trouble???"
Quid writes: "Given they watched my back for a year in Iraq I'd hate for one of my best friends to lose his career over this. I can't imagine what kind of horrible asshole just abandons their battle buddy like that."
