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Monday, December 20, 2010

My DADT Repeal Response

Since first posting about the DADT repeal, I have talked to people on both sides of the “debate” and feel I have something to say. Now, I don’t want to get into an argument with anyone for or against DADT, but this is my post so I have the right to stand on it and use it as my soapbox in a way. If you don’t want to hear/read it then don’t. It’s very long and you don’t have to read it (that is your right). I am not a vocal person when it comes to politics. I’m a Democrat in a Republican state and family and know that you keep your mouth shut about certain things. So don’t think that just because of this one post I’m going to go all political on you. Just so many people have talked to/at me about this subject that I felt a response was in order. My posts for the rest of the year will more than likely be about my daughter and the holidays.
I was slightly surprised to hear the statistic that around 80% of the enlisted military was opposed to the DADT repeal. But even after hearing that statistic it was shown to me that the approval rating for women entering the military was even worse. Women have been in the military since it was around, but only in service positions (nurses, cooks, secretaries, etc). When women were finally allowed to serve in a combat capacity, over 95% of the enlisted soldiers did not agree with that decision. But in spite of that, women make up about 20% of the current military and are out fighting every day.
Now, I have to say this and don’t want anyone to think I’m less of an American for saying it, but I do not support the war. Having said that, just because I don’t support the war does not mean I don’t support the soldiers. The people who serve our country are very brave and amazing persons, and I admire them and will support them for their services. (They should not be treated the way the Westboro Baptist church treats them) I appreciate the fact that in today’s world we do not have the draft, and that our military is voluntary for I do not think I could bring myself to head into battle the way our current soldiers do. They are incredible and heroic people. The soldiers deserve all the “breaks” they get and more for service to our country and protecting our freedom.
That being said, I would hope the soldiers feel the same way about each other. When on the front line, I would hope they wouldn’t be worried about the idea that the guy next to him might be gay, but would see him as a soldier regardless of gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation: That the person next to him is just as brave for risking his life the same as you (the soldier) are. You may not agree with the life style this person has, but that does not mean you cannot support them as a fellow soldier.
I can see that in today’s world there is still a stigma against homosexuality, and I think I understand the roots for this animosity (and I am not going into “debate” right now for or against homosexuality, for that is not what is on trial, so to speak). But just as soldiers are taught with the gender issue to see a female soldier as a soldier and not as a woman, I believe they should view the homosexual soldier in the same way… as a soldier. They are brave for risking their lives, and should have the same rights and freedoms as any citizen. If they are willing and able to defend this country, its people, and its freedom a person can be purple with four legs and a tail for all I care. And when it comes down to it, I would hope that a soldier would feel the same way, and know that that person is there to be brave and serve their country. Much like my own views and the war, just because you don’t agree with what they stand for doesn’t mean you can’t/shouldn’t support them as a soldier.
I don’t want anyone to think I’m picking on them or anything like that (because this is for the people that I physically talked to as well). I’m just stating how I feel on my own post. I wouldn’t post this much on yours if I disagreed. But this is my forum and I am using it freely as my soapbox, and I have that freedom because men, women, handicap able persons, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, Christians, Atheists, heterosexuals, homosexuals, bisexuals, Caucasians, Asians, African-Americans, Native Americans, etc. have fought and bravely died for it. And just as Senator Wyden said, “if you love this country enough to risk your life for it, you shouldn’t have to hide who you are.”

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