Applying Truman order to gays in the military

[davidinalameda]

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/07/26/EDGPUDTBNL1.DTL

Fifty-seven years ago today, President Truman, over the strenuous objections of the senior leaders of the U.S. Armed Forces, signed Executive Order 9981. That order states, in part, that "there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin."

The time has come to amend that order to allow men and women to serve in the armed forces without regard to sexual orientation.

The issue of gays serving in the military is one that is both controversial and divisive. It need not be. A sober examination of this issue will suggest that the time has come to give gay men and women the unrestricted right to join and serve in the armed forces -- a suggestion that is practical, necessary and morally justified.

[bluestateguy]

1. Shame on Bill Clinton for wimping out on this 12 years ago

The military brass threatened him and he just capitulated. He should have shown some cojones and reminded them that he was the commander in chief and that as such he would be issuing orders to overturn this bullshit policy.

[sui generis]

2. it all comes back down to perception

gays are supposed to be weak and inconsequential.

Give a gay guy (or gal) command of a ship or a platoon or even just a bunch of fancy weapons and all of a sudden society has to dispell some cherished notions about us. The reason some of us are in there in spite of every obstacle is because we ARE capable, skilled soldiers, sailers and airmen.

The other perception is the "they are checking out my fat hairy ass" in the shower notion. :rofl:

No. We're. NOT!!!! :rofl:

[Ravenseye]

3. You're right but....

...what would happen, just a hypothetical, if a group of gay men and women who wanted to serve openly in the military started their own religion. A religion where they HAD to be gay. If they did that, would they be able to serve openly, because the truman order allows equality of treatment because of religion?

Gay people shouldn't have to do that of course, I'm just talking hypothetical here.

[Meeker Morgan]

4. I predict thay W will do exactly that.

"Don't ask don't tell" wasn't his policy. And the military is having trouble getting enough recruits.

Just don't get married. :mad:

[wli]

5. an army of lovers cannot fail

These guys need to read about the Sacred Band of Thebes.