If you haven't heard the news yet, yesterday the US Senate passed the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010 by a vote of 65-31. Since the bill had already passed the House, it will soon be on its way to the president. A lot of people are hailing this as a historic victory, but in all honesty, I have mixed feelings.
On the one hand, I always thought DADT was an insanely stupid policy. Who cares what a person's sexual orientation is! That's each person's own business. The very idea that it would negatively impact military readiness and cohesion is laughable. So, from that standpoint, I applaud Congress for getting something right.
On the other hand, it is very hard for me to see this as a "victory" of sorts. All this means is that there will now be even more people eligible to join the ranks of the killed and maimed. While I understand that people from all walks of life desire "to serve their country," I am no fan of war and the military-industrial complex.
One worry that I have is that a lot of gays and lesbians, who have foregone military service in the face of DADT, will now sign-up in droves. This will provide the military with the potential for a significant influx of new troops to buck up the sagging numbers. More troops ready to go off to war could well spur our political and military leaders to undertake new wars.
More war means more body bags. I find it next too impossible to get excited by this prospect.
On the one hand, I always thought DADT was an insanely stupid policy. Who cares what a person's sexual orientation is! That's each person's own business. The very idea that it would negatively impact military readiness and cohesion is laughable. So, from that standpoint, I applaud Congress for getting something right.
On the other hand, it is very hard for me to see this as a "victory" of sorts. All this means is that there will now be even more people eligible to join the ranks of the killed and maimed. While I understand that people from all walks of life desire "to serve their country," I am no fan of war and the military-industrial complex.
One worry that I have is that a lot of gays and lesbians, who have foregone military service in the face of DADT, will now sign-up in droves. This will provide the military with the potential for a significant influx of new troops to buck up the sagging numbers. More troops ready to go off to war could well spur our political and military leaders to undertake new wars.
More war means more body bags. I find it next too impossible to get excited by this prospect.
Eh, I think its a good thing. Freedom to die in war ought to be held by all. For some people it's really important to serve in the military, and there's good opportunty there as well.
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way about women in combat situations, because if I were a woman I'd be glad that I wouldn't have to die on a battlefield. I don't see glory in that. But some people do, and it's their right to go ahead and do so.
So yeah, let em serve. but let's stop the wars, that's the real problem here.
Well put, Brandon.
ReplyDeleteAnd though this has nothing to do with the actual pst content, it is interesting that Eisenhower's actual warning as to be beware of the "academic-military-industrial complex."
It is astonishing the clout the Ph.D's at ONR, NRL, NRO etc., all those "science advisors", have in directing tax dollars to this and that military effort, supported by civilian contractors.
Pink Body Bags? No... I know that was insensitive... (sorry).
ReplyDeleteThe only reason (in my mind) for a law like this would be the same reason for not allowing men and women to share the same quarters.
ie: To stop them making love when they're supposed to be making war...
Provided it doesn't add significant risk to the other people serving with them, I don't think it matters which way someone bends.
I see by these comments the above people don't have a clue. Have any of you gone to war? It's not like the commercials or the movies. To die for a country that doesn't give a rats ass about you is about the stupidest thing any young person can do. Read Chris hedges column today and maybe it my open your eyes. When you are young and stupid is when the military starts beckoning you to join. I don't care how smart you think you are at that age but you have no experience to deal with what you will witness once you are in the thick of it. All these young people who's lives will be ruined.
ReplyDeleteAnd what is the freedom we are and will fight for? It's all about the money, both in war and luring youngsters to do the dirty work of a bunch snake in the grass politicians and corporate elites. Old rich Mother F-----s.
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ReplyDeleteI go to work to earn money and reputation for a corporation who, like most companies aren't necessarily doing "good" out there. Work is slowly killing me just as surely as war.
I'd love to sit on a beach and just enjoy myself or spend time with my family instead but I have to go to work.
We all have our lives ruined by money and by doing the dirty work for other people regardless of whether or not we're at war.
Gavin believe me what we do for a living can not even compare to going to war. And you would become very bored just sitting around doing nothing. I think you have missed what my post content is referencing. Just look at your first line of your first post. Pink bodybags. You made a joke about war death of women. In the military 25 to 45 percent of women are raped by their own fellow male soldiers. My suggestion to you would be join the military ask to sent to a war zone then tell us how much fun you are having. If you are not killed in the first 6 weeks you are there.
ReplyDeleteYou can't know war or the military unless you have served. So as I have said you do not have a clue. Did you read Chris Hedges piece from yesterday? this is only a brief discription. Magnify 1,000,00 times.
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ReplyDeleteI don't think I ever claimed to have a clue. My experience of war is zilch and I don't know how I'd react in a war situation.
Being in the military doesn't necessarily mean "going to war". Lots of people join the military for various reasons. I do think that most people who join though are at least aware that it carries a risk of war. To not be aware would be the same as being a fireman and not expecting to see a real fire.
My "pink body bags" line referred to it being a gay colour rather than to women. I know it doesn't make it any better.
My main point is that it really doesn't matter how you die in the service of other people's rubbish ideals or even what you do as part of serving those ideals....
...you still die and those deeds still get done by somebody.
If we don't have a military presence, we'll be taken over by someone who does - and then we'll be enslaved or conscripted to their military service.
You can't end war simply by not enlisting. It's human nature.