Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Note One: The link to the editorial I chose is in the title.

Note Two: The main reason I chose the editorial is because I wanted to take the opportunity to present my opinion, not because I really want to critque Kaufman's. His was just the most effectively written of the ones I found.



As we should all be aware, Obama gave his very first State of the Union address last night. In his speech, he mentioned one issue I care very much about: Repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell in the military. It was a brief mention, but nevertheless it was the concrete promise thousands of Americans have been waiting for. If Obama follows through on his word, DADT will be repealed this year.

David Kaufman's editorial takes a position. David Kaufman's editorial uses persuasive, inspiring language. Now, let's take it through these nine points we were told about in class.

Fact. Kaufman's piece is certainly not data-based. However, as you are not allowed to be openly gay in the military, there would only be inaccurate data to collect regarding this subject. I wish he'd included the amount of money the government has spent on trials to dishonorably discharge gays and lesbians, but in my opinion, he relies more on logic.

Logical Conclusion. Well, I did just say I think he used logic, so I'm going to go with yes.

The other seven points are related more to grammar aspects of one's writing. I would critique him on jumping into abbreviations -- not everyone knows what LGBT and DOMA stand for, though I imagine most who read his piece would. I also think he should have better stated explicitly why this is a big deal and the right thing to do, regardless of what one's opinion on homosexuality is because many will obviously be upset if/when this comes to pass.

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Repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell is long overdue. The United States is supposed to be one of the more forward-thinking countries of the world, but we are stuck on this issue of what gays can and cannot do. There is no good reason to tell someone he cannot reveal his sexuality if he chooses to. Other places of work are not allowed to discriminate based on orientation, so the military should not be allowed to either. The Pentagon's principal justification for the policy continues to be that the presence of openly gay and lesbian personnel would interfere with the military's ability to accomplish its mission. Why is it not just as distracting to wonder about who's gay and not be certain? If one is unsure and inquires of someone else, that's often how rumors get started, even among adults, and one would think that would be even more interfering than basic knowledge. Knowing someone is gay doesn't change anything; if you like someone and then he or she comes out to you, well, the person was gay yesterday, too. And other issues, like regarding how people will act in close quarters or even things like showering, are, frankly, immature. No one is attracted to everyone he or she meets, gay or straight.

In fact, I would argue that it actually disadvantages the military to keep DADT. To be gay in the military means thinking about everything you say, keeping phone calls to yourself, hiding pictures, being secretive when not on duty -- it's like living a double life. And always in the back of your head is the knowledge that if you let something slip, it could cost you your career. It's a lot to keep in mind, more than any heterosexual has to worry about his or her personal life. If I had the desire to join the military, I still wouldn't do it. I would be preoccupied first with making sure I was properly "in the closet" before I focused on anything else. I do not want to hide the way I live my life when I am proud of it.

The gays and lesbians who do serve, who joined knowing they'd have to stay or go back "in the closet," therefore surely must be individuals dedicated to their country so much that they are willing to take this risk, aware of the fact that if they let anything slip, it could mean the end of their career. Why would we threaten to discharge members, commissioned and non-commissioned, who are nothing but loyal to their country and want to serve? People with skills necessary to the wars in which we are involved have been discharged under DADT despite the fact that they are few in number (see, Dan Choi).

Don't Ask, Don't Tell is a flawed, outdated policy that has more than run its course. Obama needs to make good on his promise to end it both for moral and tactical reasons. It is high time gays and lesbians are recognized as being no different than anyone else and therefore deserve the same privileges, and this is the opportunity to start that on a national level.