Kris Mineau on the Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
In the last hours of a lame-duck Congress, the U.S. military’s 234 year-old ban of open homosexuality was repealed. Despite a two-front war and the concerns of the heads of the military services as well as their members, liberals and their Republican enablers thrust the sexual mores of a special interest group upon our troops.
The Pentagon’s Comprehensive Review Working Group report on the effect of open homosexuality in the military contained not a single point or argument of benefit to the recruitment, retention, effectiveness, or readiness of the all-volunteer force. On the contrary, the report showed 62 percent of the troops feeling the repeal would have negative effects. A startling 24 percent said they would either leave, or seriously consider leaving the military were the policy repealed. Finally, the survey never asked the troops whether or not the policy should be repealed.
Because the report could not stand scrutiny, the repeal was rushed through as a “privileged” bill, bypassing all hearings, open debate and amendments. Congress and the administration sent a clear message to the 2 million men and women serving in our armed forces – one of utter disregard for their concerns.
As a third-generation military professional who has been in combat, held command, and is the father of two sons carrying the military legacy to the fourth generation, I am deeply saddened and offended by the actions of the president and Congress. The most immediate impact will be on our brave men and women in harm’s way in Iraq and Afghanistan. Working 8 to 5 in an office is one thing, but in 24/7 combat environs where trust is paramount, privacy is impossible. Sleeping and bathing facilities are rightfully segregated by sex, but that will no longer be a safeguard. Worse yet, the establishment of open homosexuality in the U.S. military will serve to further infuriate and embolden the Islamic terrorist foes we face today.
Those found committing homosexual acts will not face charges, but those who disagree with those actions will be prosecuted. Servicemen and women will be indoctrinated to accept homosexuality through “sensitivity training,” as will their children who are schooled in the Department of Defense dependent school system. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, said that the “sensitivity training” for combat units – 80 percent of whom said the repeal would have a negative effect – will be “intense enough to achieve the outcome we want.” In other words, our combat troops will undergo thorough re-programming. Chairman Mao would have been proud.
Despite Secretary of Defense Robert Gates’ claim that the repeal will be implemented only when the battle effectiveness of the forces is assured and proper preparations have been completed, President Obama, in deference to his gay lobby supporters, vowed, “We are not going to be dragging our feet to get this done.”
Political correctness and special interest group pandering has no place in our armed forces. A military commander’s primary responsibility is the morale, health and welfare of the troops. The same should be true for Congress and the Commander-in-Chief.
