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| Topic: Time to review policy on gays in U.S. military: Powell | |
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Time to review policy on gays in U.S. military: Powell Sun Jul 5, 2009 11:52am EDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) - American attitudes have changed and the "don't ask, don't tell" policy toward gays serving in the U.S. military should be reviewed, former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Colin Powell said on Sunday. President Barack Obama favors overturning the policy, which bars gay troops from serving openly in the military. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has asked military lawyers to look at ways to make the law more flexible, hailed by gay rights groups as a "seismic political shift". "The policy and the law that came about in 1993, I think, was correct for the time," Powell said on CNN's State of the Union. "Sixteen years have now gone by, and I think a lot has changed with respect to attitudes within our country, and therefore I think this is a policy and a law that should be reviewed." he added. Current Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen, the United States' highest ranking officer, said the military will continue to carry out the policy until it is changed. "It is very clear what President Obama's intent here is, he intends to see this law changed and my advice ... is that I think we need to move in a measured way," Mullen said. "At a time when we're fighting two conflicts there is a great deal of pressure on our forces and their families," he added. (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Sandra Maler) © Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE5641A920090705 |
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I just never understood that whole policy anyway. I don't remember anyone giving me a good reason for it in the past
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I just never understood that whole policy anyway. I don't remember anyone giving me a good reason for it in the past If you can shoot to kill, who cares who you wanna have sex with? |
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I don't know why they seemed to fear rampant sex going on in the trenches and foxholes, so to speak. After all, when you're busy staying alive in a war, you really aren't going to be worrying about whether or not the guy next to you finds you attractive. Seems silly to me.
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straight people are having sex over there now. it's really no different and the sexual preference has no bearing on their ability to be a soldier
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Edited by
ThomasJB
on
Sun 07/05/09 01:48 PM
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straight people are having sex over there now. it's really no different and the sexual preference has no bearing on their ability to be a soldier I imagine gays are having sex over there too. It is just not as openly so as everyone else. |
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straight people are having sex over there now. it's really no different and the sexual preference has no bearing on their ability to be a soldier I imagine gays are having sex over there too. It is just not as openly so as everyone else. very true...but it's not more than the other either way...i suspect. one is just hush hush |
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straight people are having sex over there now. it's really no different and the sexual preference has no bearing on their ability to be a soldier I agree. I just think it was fear of people different, and that fear led to the belief that bad things would happen if men attracted to men were in the military. Could also be a fear that men attracted to men weren't really men and therefore wouldn't make good soldiers. I focus on the men because lets face it, for the most part, women care less about the whole issue. (for the most part, not an absolute) And the fact that for a long long time, historically, men didn't think lesbianism was really possible, because they were so focused on the act of sex and thought that two women couldn't possible have sex because they didn't have the 'correct' equipment. But really, people are people. That's all it is. Gender is really a meaningless thing. I've know to many transgendered people to ever believe that gender and reproductive organs and identity are that closely tied. If we weren't so sexually repressed as a society, (thanks in part to our Puritanical roots) this wouldn't be nearly as big an issue as it is. On the other hand, while some countries are more relaxed about it, some are even more uptight and offended by it. I'd have to say we are probably just someplace in the middle. |
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straight people are having sex over there now. it's really no different and the sexual preference has no bearing on their ability to be a soldier I imagine gays are having sex over there too. It is just not as openly so as everyone else. very true...but it's not more than the other either way...i suspect. one is just hush hush Exactly. |
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As a vet I am perplexed over this. Personally I do not want to be in a foxhole with a gay male. Not homophobic, just want to be sure he wants to get home alive to see his girl as much as I wanted to live to see mine. Instead of, why worry about that when I have a lover right here. Sounds twisted, don't bash me, but I did it and those were my thoughts at the time. What are my teammates (someone who I am putting my life in their hands as I cat nap at 3 am) Is he looking at me or looking for the enemy. I know it does not make sense to many, but I would not want to be in a foxhole with a female either.
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cabot...with all due respect....just because someone is gay doesn't mean they look at everyone the same sex that way. it's no different than guys looking at girls...some are attractive some aren't
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Very true cabot,
and I think that is why the policy was started in the first place. It's hard to understand unless you have been in a fox hole before with yor life in someone elsees hands. I sure wouldnt want Perez Hilton siting next to me in one. |
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not all gays are like Hilton
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cabot...with all due respect....just because someone is gay doesn't mean they look at everyone the same sex that way. it's no different than guys looking at girls...some are attractive some aren't Sorry Yellowrose, I just have seen very few, OK some women I would not do in a foxhole, in my life. I'm not camping on "Brokeback Mountain" with anyone...Just kidding. Don't be sensitive people. As far as Gay Marriage, I say go for it. Seriously, it's really not all it's cracked up to be. The divorce lawyers are just waiting for this bubble to grow. Don't do it!...jmo 
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not all gays are like Hilton I know but dont ask dont tell keeps the likes of him out of the military. |
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lol cabot...I'm not offended. you spoke your opinion. I have no problem with that at all. but you would be surprised that some guys you think are straight are really gay. and I am pretty sure they want to make it home safely as much as a straight person and will do their job to make sure that happens and look out for their troops
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I think...in a somewhat convoluted way...this policy is intended to actually limit and dampen...the harrassment...ridiculing...and...mocking...that may take place amongst the ranks...
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I think...in a somewhat convoluted way...this policy is intended to actually limit and dampen...the harrassment...ridiculing...and...mocking...that may take place amongst the ranks... wouldn't it be better to have a law about THAT. it's actually a law now about harassment etc |
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Hello people, any military vets here know that "fraternization with the opposite sex is not allowed also. It is not a one way street. jmo
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I think...in a somewhat convoluted way...this policy is intended to actually limit and dampen...the harrassment...ridiculing...and...mocking...that may take place amongst the ranks... wouldn't it be better to have a law about THAT. it's actually a law now about harassment etc what I mean is once...the word spreads...that a certain GI is gay...could you imagine...what a drill Sgt...may scream in this guys face...as the rest of the platoon laughs..." drop down and give me 20 "...will have an entirely different meaning....lol...gulp !! |
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