tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post5084512456210988181..comments2024-02-17T04:06:00.805-05:00Comments on Just Not Said: Ask and tellJohn Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08729625146043379286noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-69163032727860181642009-11-05T04:04:13.029-05:002009-11-05T04:04:13.029-05:00That's a very good point, and we certainly don...That's a very good point, and we certainly don't want to do anything to weaken the military. I have to admit, I see it as a matter of civil rights (old style civil rights, not "civil rights" as the term is generally used now, meaning, special privileges). But it's not something that's going to affect me personally. <br /><br />On the other hand, I suspect that a lot of the respondents to that poll were just being dramatic for effect, i.e., the way Alec Baldwin and other prominent liberals said they were going to leave the country if George W.Bush was elected President -- none of them ever did. If you had asked me when I was 18 if I would have wanted any gays on my swim team, I would definitely have said no. But it turned out (I didn't know it at the time) that a couple of the guys were gay, and they were actually two of the nicer guys on the team. My guess is that the military would adjust, the same way it has to a racially integrated existence.John Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08729625146043379286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-23503181662534169332009-11-04T21:50:59.160-05:002009-11-04T21:50:59.160-05:00An article in the 10/19/09 Washington Times had so...An article in the 10/19/09 Washington Times had some interesting statistics: <br /><br />The general public is supportive of allowing gays to openly serve in the military according to two polls - a December CNN poll showed 81% approval for it, and a May 2009 USA Today / Gallup poll showed 69% favored a policy change. <br /><br />But members of the military oppose the idea. "The most recent Military Times survey showed that 58 percent of military respondents oppose a policy change, and 24 percent said they would either leave the military (10 percent) or consider terminating their careers after serving their tours of duty (14 percent)". <br /><br />If members of the military oppose the idea this strongly, it would appear that changing present policy would weaken our military. And it goes without saying whose opinion matters most on this issue. This would also probably explain why Obama is now kicking the issue toward Congress, and Congress is unlikely to touch it. <br /><br />- EdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-86985278495402497202009-10-27T17:25:24.912-04:002009-10-27T17:25:24.912-04:00Anonymous -- Thank you for your comment. I probabl...Anonymous -- Thank you for your comment. I probably do qualify for both of those adjectives. <br /><br />On the other hand, given that I've heard that a number of times, there is probably some truth to those stereotypes. (Please keep in mind, a stereotype does not mean that everyone fits that description, merely that a higher percentage than normal do.) Also, I should point out/admit, I've never been in the service myself, so my firsthand experience is nil. I'm only passing along what I've heard. Rumor-mongering, you could say.John Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08729625146043379286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-50219622070033587072009-10-27T16:27:13.194-04:002009-10-27T16:27:13.194-04:00I've heard that a large percentage of women wh...I've heard that a large percentage of women who serve fall into one of two categories: whores or lesbians" <br />Sounds so superficial and sexist, that had I not read some of your other posts, I would think you might qualify for both of those adjectives.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-13672598604563272842009-10-26T17:03:05.526-04:002009-10-26T17:03:05.526-04:00Thank you Guy.
I'm trying, even though it go...Thank you Guy. <br /><br />I'm trying, even though it goes against my nature.John Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08729625146043379286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5794535954827182754.post-66869669286964328172009-10-26T12:36:52.431-04:002009-10-26T12:36:52.431-04:00Well said. Entertaining. Not quite uplifting....bu...Well said. Entertaining. Not quite uplifting....but close enough to count!<br />GAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com