DADT repeal

By Frank Ladra

Though it’s not much of a surprise to most Americans, the Pentagon has announced favor in allowing gay men and women to serve openly in the military, citing there would be very little impact on each branch’s ability to conduct business as normal.

But leave it to the Senator John McCain to oppose the findings of a study executed by the nation’s top defense and military officials, even when his arguments leave him grasping at any available straw in an attempt to dissuade decision on the matter.

The Pentagon’s study, designed to survey the opinions of service members surrounding the repeal of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, received 231,000 responses over an undisclosed time period.

The most humiliating challenge presented by McCain (and opposing conservatives) is the request for separate housing and shower facilities for those uncomfortable with serving together. This would be logistical nightmare, and it’s highly reminiscent of the 1960s “separate but equal” facilities for people of color.

McCain seems to be expecting a huge ordeal, where gays will be overtly flamboyant, flaunting their gayness and completely disregarding responsibility, even though there are countless examples proving otherwise.

The authors of the Pentagon’s report say that based on observations of workplaces in civilian society, gay and lesbian troops would continue to be discreet about their personal lives, even with a repeal.

There’s little argument as to whether or not McCain, a former naval aviator in the Vietnam War, has enough clout to be considered an expert in military affairs. But with such drastic, unnecessary and frankly, homophobic opposition to gays in the military, one might begin to wonder what the senator really means when he says “I speak from personal experience.”

His objection that 58 percent of the Marines in combat that were surveyed oppose the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” ignored the fact that 70 percent of all surveyed service members—combat or not—are in favor of the repeal.

When McCain stated his belief that these combat troops should have the decision to serve with whom they choose, regardless of overall opinion, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates pointed out that never in American history has a referendum been implemented based on service members’ opinions. Such matters are best left for the court’s decision.