Isn't it about time?

Question

(CNN) -- Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili has had a change of heart about gays in the military.

Shalikashvili, who was the top military man when President Clinton's "don't ask, don't tell" policy became law in 1993, wrote in a recent New York Times editorial that he was convinced by gay service members that "don't tell" can disappear.

"I now believe that if gay men and lesbians served openly in the United States military, they would not undermine the efficacy of the armed forces," he wrote in the January 2 edition of the Times. "Our military has been stretched thin by our deployments in the Middle East, and we must welcome the service of any American who is willing and able to do the job." (Watch to learn more about the retired general's about-face )

The "don't ask" means commanders are prohibited from questioning a service member about sexual orientation while "don't tell" refers to the stipulation that gay and lesbian troops must keep their sexual orientation a secret.

President Clinton's policy brought the highly charged issue of gays in the military to the center of public discussion. At the time, Shalikashvili, supported the policy, believing that openly gay servicemen and women would hurt the military's cohesion.

With President Bush now calling for a larger military, the issue is sure to become fodder again for political and social debate. (Send us your thoughts on this issue)

Shalikashvili wrote that his position change came after meeting with gay troops, including "some with combat experience in Iraq, and an openly gay senior sailor who was serving effectively as a member of a nuclear submarine crew.

"These conversations showed me just how much the military has changed, and that gays and lesbians can be accepted by their peers."

'A political issue, not a military issue'

for the whole article click here

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/30/pysk.shalikashvili/index.html

Don't you agree that anyone willing to fight and die for our country deserves the chance to do so regardless of sexual orientation?

Answer 1

I agree. Its about time they started to get treated equally. Now maybe the gvt will see its way to allowing a Pentacle on the gravestones of Pagan soldiers.

Its not over yet.

Answer 2

Tornadoes are in basic terms yet another legacy left to us via Bush and Republicans. Tornadoes take place simply by fact the probabilities are high a minimum of a few unfavourable people of shade would be affected. Worse yet, whilst it rains in tornadoes or hurricanes, it in basic terms gets liberals, women persons and different oppressed people moist. wealthy white Republicans have the magic ring which turns rain into $.

Answer 3

Any/all Americans should have the right and obligation to serve
be it military, peace corps or whatever. That being said, the only
issue needing resolved is a problem of bivouacing. nuff said

Answer 4

It's about time, however I doubt it'll make much difference... the UCMJ still has "sodomy" as one of the Jag corps' and OSI's favorite add-ons to most criminal charges. Caught jaywalking? Sodomy charges will be tacked on... that's sarcasm by the way but it's not too far off the mark.

_()_

Answer 5

I'd just be disappointed in them for joining the war-mongering army.