Ms. Heisner’s editorial concerning the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy of the United States Military is a concise explanation of the current state of the policy as well as her views on the subject.
In her editorial she stated that the Obama adiministration” will appeal Judge Phillips’s ruling “that DADT violates the due process and free speech rights of service members.” Though Ms. Heisner does not address it, I would assume, considering her anti-DADT views, that she must be frustrated and confused with an administration that, during the election, promised to attempt to repeal the policy but is appealing a ruling that would end it.
I agree with Ms. Heisner’s views on allowing openly gay military members the right to serve their country and so do many currently serving. A recent survey by Zogby International showed that 73% were comfortable serving with openly gay comrades. Many countries around the world seem to be comfortable with the idea as well. Unfortunately, the United States joins a less well-regarded (Iran, Cuba, North Korea) group of countries in the list of nations that ban gays. Even many top brass members such as Gen. Raymond Odierno and Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs support repealing DADT.
One of the more common arguments I hear supporting DADT is that it would erode unit cohesion. I served in the US Navy had shipmates that were gay. They served honorably and with distinction. Their sexuality never endangered unit cohesion. Stating that our service members would not be able to perform their duties with someone different from them is a perennial favorite. It was used during race integration in the armed forces and the increasing role of women in the military. Now is the time to end DADT.
Further reading: http://www.sldn.org/pages/about-dadt
http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/10-reasons-why-homosexuals-shouldnt-be-allowed-to
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