Topsy Turvy World

The military is not society at large. That means things are different inside that particular population. They are asked to do different things and live under different rules. Some make sense. Some don't. But, if you give the benefit of the doubt to your leaders then you go with what they tell you.

The Obama-chosen new Commandant of the Marine Corps says quite clearly that repeal of Don't Ask/Don't Tell will be a distraction for his troops. It will damage unit cohesion and morale. Duh!

Is prejudice against homosexuals a good thing? No one can reasonably argue that it is good to be prejudiced against any segment of society. Many disagree with the practices, many assert the morality aspect, some quote scripture, some are simply prejudiced and conditioned. It still isn't appropriate to discriminate based on sexual preference.

If I were to say I refuse to hire you, rent to you, work for you or allow you into my club because you were a blatant, flaming, conspicuous heterosexual you would call it outrageous. Simply insert other words and you make the argument.

But, the military is different. It isn't about showers, or cramped quarters, or unwanted advances or freedom of association. We worked out race and gender issues for facilities and sexual advances are not condoned between heterosexuals or ranks, so I don't see a problem with the gay community.

The issue is leadership. A basic concept is up-or-out. You must advance in rank and responsibility over time. That means eventually you must rise to a position of authority, if only over a squad or a team of co-workers. We admit that our society is not yet blind to many aspects of difference. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the attitudes of some segments with regard to homosexuals. The military draws heavily upon sectors of American society which have low tolerance for the behavior. Is that a state of denial? Maybe, but it is undeniably true nevertheless. Until our society changes, these barely out of high-school, macho types are not going to follow or obey someone who is openly and avowedly gay.

This is America, however, and we need to respond to the demands of Lady Gaga that we repeal DA/DT. Seriously! She gets coverage for that sort of pronouncement.

Sen. Harry Reid (death-bed-D NV) bucks the advice of the generals and goes with the pop-culture icon and brings an amendment to the floor of the Senate to chain repeal to the Defense appropriations bill. The amendment is so toxic that even Sen Olympia Snowe (RINO-ME) can't support it.

Amendment Kills Current Term Efforts. Squeals of Agony Heard

That triggers the question of why Reid brought it up and then voted against it? The simple answer is to demonstrate that there is no hope at this time. He brings it forward to show his good will toward the gay community at large, but he is such a good public servant for the people of Nevada who are poised to oust him that he accedes to their wishes and sublimates his higher liberal thinking by voting against it himself. What a great guy!