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171 Comments
- lolwaffle, on 11/03/2008, -17/+56What does sexual preference have to do with pulling security in a convoy, or fixing a humvee, or driving for the colonel? Next thing you know, you'll be required to be a Christian... oh wait...
- MJG2007, on 12/02/2007, -11/+40Except for the fact that heterosexuals DON'T get kicked out when talking about their sexual orientation. A guy in the military can talk about his wife, girlfriend, the hot chick he banged last night, etc and nothing happens to them. But if a gay man tells someone in his unit that he doesn't want to go out to the strip clubs for the umpteenth time and explains that he is gay....he is kicked out. The straight guys can whore around and brag about their sexual activities all day long and there is no punishment, so don't try to pass off that "just like everyone else" *****.
- Detritus, on 12/02/2007, -3/+27Ru Paul said it better... You've got to work it, girl!
- savagesteve13, on 12/02/2007, -22/+38Ron Paul said it best: When we start putting people into groups we destroy their liberty. Liberty and freedom comes from the creator and is inherent, it is not granted by the government nor can it be taken away. If a homosexual exhibits disruptive behavior while in the military he/she should be punished, just like if a heterosexual exhibited disruptive behavior. Homosexuals in the military should not be punished nor discharged for being grouped into the homosexual category.
If only the other candidates actually understood the Constitution. - inactive, on 12/02/2007, -1/+17Human rights organization fights to get people in the military... Sigh.
- sockpuppets, on 12/02/2007, -7/+21Look at all the man on man tension in this thread. I think you guys need to go hug it out...
- Groovemaster, on 12/02/2007, -14/+27They wouldn't be serving their country, as the US military is no longer used to defend America.
The purpose of the US military is now to feed the military-industrial complex and keep 1% of the nation as wealthy as possible.
Having said that, if anyone - gay or straight - chooses to put their life on the line in order to keep corporate fatcats obscenely rich, they should be allowed to do so. - krakkinem, on 12/02/2007, -7/+1879% of Americans think gays should be allowed to serve in the military? Let me guess: the other 21% are the same folks that still support Bush.
- Bonzidave, on 12/02/2007, -4/+15What is it with straight guys and this whole 'I wouldn't want to shower in front of one' crap. 1) There are plenty of gays out there to shag, 2) we've been through enough crap with the straights to last us a lifetime, we ain't going there again, and 3) your kidding yourselves, you ain't that good looking.
- withears, on 12/02/2007, -2/+12Cbuddha42 is correct. I used to think that people in the military were professional. But then I spent about 6 years working with the Army. I was very surprised to find the large number of bigots and racists who are there. The military isn't the professional (or mature) environment that many of us would like to think it is.
- TrevorBradley, on 12/02/2007, -2/+12It depends on how you define "disruptive". I'm not sure if a heterosexual solder would be punished for wolf whistling at a beautiful civilian woman, but I'm pretty sure a homosexual soldier would be for wolf whistling at beautiful male civilian.
(This example may suck. I'm not in the military and I'm not even American, maybe they're not allowed to do that sort of thing... but you should be able to find a similar analogy. Holding hands with your sweetheart before being shipped off to war, etc) - tlgjames, on 12/02/2007, -3/+12Fix society first and allow gays to marry and have all the same rights, and then we can talk.
- MJG2007, on 12/02/2007, -3/+12Cool! And following that logic, all black military personnel must wear "white" makeup so as not to make any racists uncomfortable. Is that really so much to ask?
- TrevorBradley, on 12/02/2007, -5/+14With don't ask don't tell, you're going to anyways. You probably already have. What's the difference?
- lohphat, on 12/02/2007, -4/+13So if a majority of people don't like blacks or Jews then we can kick them out too? Sweet.
/sarcasm - lohphat, on 12/02/2007, -3/+12Now you now how it feels like to be a woman in the military.
- momo98, on 12/02/2007, -8/+16What I find quite hilarious is it's always either the fat ugly dudes or the old men that wouldn't want to "shower in front of one" or are scared that some gay guy is gonna hit on them. Trust me dude, you're quite safe from us.
- MJG2007, on 12/02/2007, -2/+10Heterosexuals don't have to reveal their sexuality either, but they do.
What you really mean is that you believe that people should pander to bigots, cause Lord knows that we don't want to do anything to upset people who are so immature and unprofessional they can't do their job knowing some gay guy is serving with them. - MJG2007, on 12/02/2007, -1/+9Quite honestly, if your bigotry against homosexuals is greater than your desire to defend your country, then perhaps the military isn't the right place for you.
- jmgieseke, on 12/02/2007, -0/+8It is really sad to see that we as a country are still hung up on this issue. I guess it just goes to show that we have not quite figured out the whole separation of church and state thing. I think that because our country is made up of both men and women, gay, straight, and bisexual, from almost every different ethnic background, our military should be as well. I have nothing but respect for anyone who is willing to fight and die for the freedom and liberty of others, regardless of whether he comes home on leave and has sex with his wife, or his gay partner.
- Wronghead, on 12/02/2007, -2/+10I think is that all the estimated 25,000 gays that currently serve should all come out on the same day.
End of problem.
And frankly, it doesn't matter if 79% of Americans think it's OK or 10% of Americans think it's OK. That is freedom. It means that you get to do it even if sometimes people don't like it.
To even address the "issue" that being openly gay will somehow endanger other troops is the height of folly.Tell me: should we make all of the black, asian and latino members of the US military wear a mask because their skin color might distract their racist platoon members?
Being gay hurts no one. Being openly gay hurts no one. This is a non issue and it is high time we quit pandering to the religious right by even arguing with them about it. This is human rights. This is America. Deal with it. - TrevorBradley, on 12/02/2007, -1/+8To all the people who would use "fag" or "gay" (to mean lame) in casual conversation, but wouldn't dare do it in front of someone who was gay so as not to offend, I have a few words for you: "You already have, you just didn't realize it."
- GoingPostal, on 12/02/2007, -13/+20I had a gay roommate in the barracks at 2 different times when I was in the military. That was over 25 years ago. I don't have a problem with gays serving, I did have a problem when they would get drunk and hit on me. Give them separate quarters like the females get.
- Mononuclear, on 12/02/2007, -1/+8Why should someone have to hide who they are because it makes you or someone else uncomfortable? By your same logic women should have to dress and pretend to be men because serving with women makes some people uncomfortable.
- MJG2007, on 12/02/2007, -0/+7I served in the military for 6 years and knew several people on my ship who were gay and it didn't bother me in the slightest. If anything, they seemed to have a better understanding of what constituted proper conversation than most of my straight shipmates who couldn't shut the hell up about sex and the pursuit of it.
- Mononuclear, on 12/02/2007, -1/+8If serving with a gay person, woman, old person, whoever, makes you uneasy and unable to perform your duties then you should be the one discharged not them.
- TrevorBradley, on 12/02/2007, -2/+9Get everyone, male, female, straight, gay to share the same quarters, washrooms, etc, and order them to behave like professionals instead of children.
- Mononuclear, on 12/02/2007, -0/+6you think they shouldn't be allowed to serve in the military or you agree with the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy? The 21% are those who think gays shouldn't even be allowed to serve. I am not arguing with you about either one. I am just asking for clarification.
- momo98, on 12/02/2007, -2/+8Why shouldn't I be allowed to kiss my partner goodbye the next time I go the middle east without fear of getting booted? I love serving my country and have done so for many years and should have the same rights my heterosexual counterparts have. It's not about flaunting a rainbow flag around simply because I'm gay. A person's sexuality doesn't define who they are. The majority of my unit wouldn't be uncomfortable, its just those very few that would be, they'd have the issue. I thought we lived in a democracy? 79% of Americans and three quarters of the returning troops from the middle east have no issue serving along homosexual servicemen and women.
- Providence, on 12/02/2007, -3/+9My only question is: "WHO THE ***** ARE THE OTHER 21 PERCENT???"
- spyd3rweb, on 12/02/2007, -5/+10Make them share quarters with females... I wonder how many guys would claim to be gay then.
- roadloco, on 12/02/2007, -0/+5No problem, Blackwater pays better, and with none of that pesky "accountability" nonsense...
The part that's really excruciatingly retarded is the firing of gay Arabic translators at the Pentagon - come you ***** idiots, how is someone who sits at a desk and does their job a threat? Fanatical Arab-speaking maniacs have vowed to kill every last one of us (Americans) and you homophobic morons (Pentagon boobs) can't get past the fact that Jimmy might be wearing something pink and frilly under his fatigues.
What could be more pathetic then our National Security being compromised by these self-serving, narrow-minded, delusional *****... (except for maybe when the candidate who got the most votes didn't win - and we all know how THAT turned out - but I digress...)
Don't get me started on the Right-wing hypocrisy... (have we actually gone a whole week without another Republican gay-sex scandal?)
/outrage - MJG2007, on 12/02/2007, -3/+8Making people lie and hide in the closet to so as not to offend the delicate sensibilities of those who are so "uncomfortable" around gay people that they can't do their job professionally is wrong.
That is non-negotiable. If a member of the military cannot do their job because they don't like the fact that have to serve with people of various genders, sexual orientations, ages, regional background, religions, races, etc, then perhaps the person who can't handle serving with a variety of people should be the one discharged.
As far as I am concerned, I'd much rather have an openly gay guy or gal who can do his or her job well than a someone who is so immature they cannot perform their duty in the presence of someone different.
In a sense, you are rewarding someone for behaving unprofessionally by insisting that a double standard be applied. - SiNN4R, on 12/02/2007, -5/+10You've got nothing they don't have. Unless they're showering with a raging hardon I fail to see a problem.
- solidsnake1298, on 12/02/2007, -1/+6Not even 1%. More like .01%. It still sickens me how few people ACTUALLY have power in this country. So much for a country "By the people, of the people, for the people". More like "By the people, of the people, for the rich".
- Zapster, on 12/02/2007, -4/+9Hmm, If gay people are allowed to serve and by necessity have to share bathrooms and showers and bunks etc., then really you should have to make it ~really~ equal and have the women and men share the same facilities as well. Look at the above comments and people are basically saying "get over yourself". Well what is the problem with coed facilities? I tend to disagree that an 18 year old gay man doesn't care one way or another about showering with other young men, I mean just because you are gay doesn't mean you have a reduced sex drive. If women can demand that men not watch them shower by way of separate facilities, equality demands that men can demand privacy from gay men when showering. So really it is about equality.
- Mononuclear, on 12/02/2007, -1/+6Having women, or black people in a platoon leads to distractions, disruptions, and ultimately deaths. It's a fact but doesn't make it right. If someone can't handle serving in the military and puts other people's lives in danger because of their own bigotry then they don't belong in the military in the first place. Lets kick out all the people in the military who would cause these unnecessary distractions by being bigots instead of the gay black whatever men and women who want to be there and don't have a problem.
- Mononuclear, on 12/02/2007, -0/+4How much discussion would you like? I seem to see quite a bit. Basically my point has been said by me and quite a few others. If someone can't perform their duties around someone else because they feel awkward or uneasy then that person should not be in the military. I don't care if it's gays, women, blacks, elderly people, authority figures, etc. If being around a certain person interferes with your ability to perform and endangers the lives of others around you then you don't belong in the military. Don't defend the idea that gays should have to lie about who they are and always be in hiding and pretending to be someone they aren't just so other people with problems don't have to feel bad about their issues. It's not about making sure everyone knows you are gay or announcing it. It's things like maybe talking about someone backhome you miss, maybe kissing your partner when you come home.. Telling that drunk army chick always hitting on you that you aren't interested. I don't think gays want to be able to run up and down the bunks yelling at the top of their lungs "I'm GAY!!!" They do want to be able to act like themselves without being kicked out of the military.
- mlostracco, on 12/02/2007, -0/+4Sure, the military is low on resources so they're relaxing the rules on admitting criminals, but hey, at least there are no gays!
/sarc - momo98, on 12/02/2007, -1/+5Lame...
- Groovemaster, on 12/02/2007, -2/+6"what is the purpose of a homosexual revealing their sexuality when doing so could, in fact, make many men in their unit uncomfortable"
The appropriate question should be "If someone is uncomfortable around gays, whose problem is it? Is it the gay person's problem, or the homophobe's problem?"
As a sexually secure straight guy, the answer's pretty obvious to me. It's the homophobe's problem, and he should grow up and deal with it. - iPwn, on 12/02/2007, -1/+5The world is messed up when you have to debate about people's rights because of sexual orientation...
I mean, in a hundred years I guess it's going to be "OMG, if you have blue eyes you can't marry, vote, or join the military!!!" - pintomp3, on 12/02/2007, -1/+5you only served with homophobes?
- awhiteflame, on 12/02/2007, -1/+5Ignorance is bliss. Hence, "Don't ask don't tell".
- mlostracco, on 12/02/2007, -1/+5If it makes you uncomfortable, that's your problem; not the gay guy's. I'm sure he'd feel infinitely more uncomfortable in an environment where homophobia is rampant.
- inactive, on 12/02/2007, -2/+6Do we really think letting gays openly serve is going to "depress" the rest of the group?
- ganjadude4391, on 12/02/2007, -6/+10The reply button is your friend.
However I agree with you that guy is a jackass - Groovemaster, on 12/02/2007, -2/+6The point I'm making is that any guy who is uncomfortable with someone elses sexuality very probably has problems with his own sexuality, possibly to the point of being a closet homosexual. Whether that's the case or not, it's his problem to deal with. People shouldn't have to keep details of their personality private if it doesn't harm anyone else, otherwise they're just being marginalized and demonized.
Anyway, all this talk of soldiers feeling awkward and uncomfortable makes them sound gayer than the gays. - Mindzai, on 12/02/2007, -0/+3Not without a sense of irony is it?
- Mononuclear, on 12/02/2007, -1/+4I respect your decision to never have enlisted and I think that would be the right choice. If you are going to let your own prejudices affect your ability to perform I wouldn't want to be near you in a fire fight. If you will let your prejudice endanger the lives of others then it is better that you are not in the military.
You don't have to agree with homosexuality to respect someone who is a homosexual. You don't have to denounce your personal values and morals to respect someone who is different and has different opinions than you do. No one is asking you to agree with homosexuality. They are asking you to accept other people or at the very least put your personal differences behind you to defend your country. If you are unable to do that then you don't belong in the service. -
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