Don’t Ask Don’t Tell from Knottie's Niche by Knottie

Knottie's Niche: Don’t Ask Don’t Tell -

This blog is mostly about my son but tonight I feel the need to talk about two things my son loved the military and his Uncles. You see Pokey’s Uncle and his “husband” are gay. Been together forever.. they are the “Uncles” and very much loved by our family and we are richer for having these two wonderful men in our lives. Now mind you Pokey never understood how a person could be gay.. but he trusted me enough to accept that his Uncle was born that way and it did not make him a bad person..just different.. just like his Auntie is black.. not the exact same but still someone we love. In time all my kids learned to accept people for how they treated them and others not for some difference that they had not control over. ( if you plan on leaving a stupid comment at this point about being gay being a choice don’t bother I won’t publish it. ) The other thing Pokey loved was the military.

OK that said… there has been much discussion over Don’t Ask Don’t Tell being repealed. And many people have asked my opinion.. so here it is:

The military is suppose to be about honor and integrity.. yet we ask many people who serve to lie about who they are. Gay people do not lack self control and will not be hitting on others simply because they no longer have to hide who they are. These men and women are the same people they were before, the only thing that has changed is others can no longer witch hunt them and remove them from serving this nation just as honorably as anyone else.

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Don't Ask, Don't Tell From the Milblogger's Perspective

There was a recent exchange of letters between Sen. Levin and Sec. Def. Gates about the study the military is doing about Don't Ask, Don't Tell. In it Sec. Gates confirmed that the military was looking at how best to implement the policy on the assumption that the rule would be changed. He also asked Congress to wait until the study was completed so any action they took would be based on the advice of the services. A number of Milbloggers agree with this and have releasing the following joint statement, while I am not a signatory to this statement I have to admit that I agree with it. I served with some very fine men, who are gay, and never once did their sexuality affect their ability to do their job.

JOINT STATEMENT FROM MILITARY BLOGGERS 12 MAY 2010

We consider the US military the greatest institution for good that has ever existed. No other organization has freed more people from oppression, done more humanitarian work or rescued more from natural disasters. We want that to continue.

Today, it appears inevitable to us that the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy and law restricting those displaying open homosexual behavior from serving will be changed. And yet, very little will actually change. Homosexuals have always served in the US Military, and there have been no real problems caused by that.

The service chiefs are currently studying the impact and consequences of changing the DADT policy, and how to implement it without compromising the morale, order and discipline necessary for the military to function. The study is due to be completed on Dec. 1st. We ask Congress to withhold action until this is finished, but no longer. We urge Congress to listen to the service chiefs and act in accordance with the recommendations of that study.

The US Military is professional and ready to adapt to the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell without compromising its mission. Echoing Sec. Def. Gates and ADM Mullen, we welcome open and honorable service, regardless of sexual orientation.

Matt Burden- Warrior Legacy Foundation & BLACKFIVE
Jim Hanson- Warrior Legacy Foundation & BLACKFIVE
Blake Powers- BLACKFIVE
Fred Schoenman- BLACKFIVE
David Bellavia- House to House
Bruce McQuain- Q&O
JD Johannes- Outside the Wire
Diane Frances McInnis Miller- Boston Maggie
Mark Seavey- This Ain't Hell
Michael St. Jacques- The Sniper
Mary Ripley- US Naval Institute Blog J
John Donovan- Castle Argghhh!
Andrew J. Lubin- The Military Observer
Marc Danziger- Winds of Change
Greta Perry- Hooah Wife