John McCain and General George Casey, Jr need to do some research on “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and gays and lesbians openly serving in the military. The tired arguments being made by grumpy old troglodytes like Casey are refuted by the facts being confirmed by independent research. As reported in the Los Angeles Times, here’s what Casey had to say about the policy:
“I do have serious concerns about the impact of repeal of the law on a force that is fully engaged in two wars and has been at war for eight and half years,” Casey said. “We just don’t know the impacts on readiness and military effectiveness.”
Meanwhile, in the fact-based world, the Palm Center at the University of California Santa Barbara, released a 152 page research report today “Gays in Foreign Militaries 2010: A Global Primer“. As The New York Times had to say about the report:
“The report concludes that in foreign militaries, openly gay service members did not undermine morale, cause large resignations or mass “comings out.” The report found that “there were no instances of increased harassment” as a result of lifting bans in any of the countries studied.
In addition, the report says that none of the countries studied installed separate facilities for gay troops, and that benefits for gay partners were generally in accordance with a country’s existing benefits for gay and lesbian couples.
On implementation, the study said that most countries made the change swiftly, within a matter of months and with what it termed little disruption to the armed services. Mr. Frank said the study did not look at what happened if the change was implemented gradually because, he said, “I don’t think any of the militaries tried it.”
Here’s a screen shot of the Executive Summary of the Report, that I’d highly suggest that General Casey and Senator McCain and any other naysayers still playing this political “wack a mole” read to get the facts from the reality-based world as evidenced by the experience of 25 other countries around the world with open service by gays and lesbians.
Betcha 90% of the grunts don’t give a damn which way a jarhead swings as long as they shoot straight and can drag a brotha out if the time comes. 9% are just a##holes, and yes the final 1% qualify as freeks (phobes).
This law was a mistake when it first came out and needs to go.
I see no need for it.
Thing is, this is the gov. we’re talk’n about here, the cure WILL be worse than the disease, and the military is no place for the PC police.
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