Don't ask, don't tell..

You mean that the US military has an anti-happy faction? Who are these people that want to bring gloom and doom to our uniformed friends? Heck, legislation to allow people to be open about their happiness is quite some achievement. Bully for the boys and girls in khaki (and blue).

Whatever it is , they will be in the wrong!It is they that can leave if they don;t like it!

It is a great day for those who support the gays in the military issue. However, I do wonder if it bothers people how Congress went about getting this passed? The "study" that supposedly showed that most US military members was skewed to produce a pre-determined result. The troops surveyed weren't asked if they would have a problem with sharing close living quarters with homosexuals, they were simply asked if they had a problem with homosexuality. Those are far different issues. They also reported that 70% of troops surveyed said that had either no problem with homosexuality or had no opinion either way. So what part of that 70% had no problem at all? Why mix the two into one percentage just to pad the statistic? Then we have a Congress that has had years to address DADT. However, instead of doing it above board and honestly, they wait until most the people voting on lifting the ban on gay people will never have to face the consequences of their decision. The Lame Ducks are also Corrupt Cowards!!! There may very well be circumstances where openly gay people can serve in the US military with no negative effects. Actually, I know there can be because I served with some gay people and saw no negative effects from it. On the other hand, in combat arms units, there have been strong negative effects when people learn that one of the members is gay. Of course, those who are all for gay people serving with no restrictions will simply scoff, saying that any negative effects are out of bigotry or hate. But that kind of stupidity prevents us from every actually addressing the issue honestly and openly. I guess the ends justify the means though. No amount of corruption, lies, stupidity or bigotry will be enough to keep the people who support this agenda from celebrating. So celebrate the corruption of liars and cowards... but quit complaining when the lies and corruption you embrace is turned against you.

That is good. I mean the military will be able to handle the people who will most likely be really few who will take it as far to violate the Uniform Military Code of Justice. As that could mean getting kicked out or dishonorably discharged from the military or actually going to a military prison which I have heard is worst than a normal prison. The DOD did their study and called for its removal so it is a good thing I am sure the DOD has a plan to deal with the issues of homophobia and the likes but I think that the Homosexuals that are currently serving will have a good ear or at least a good head about who to tell and who not to. They have had a lot of practice before joining the Military so they will make the right call on who to tell and who not to. It can also help people as it could get rid of tension that some units maybe feeling as everyone thinks the person is gay and then find out the person is actually gay also you have the thing of the person not supporting the lifestyle but they know the person well enough that they may be slightly uncomfortable with it but will still be nice to the person or will work with them it could also change their feelings on it too.

Yes, one does wonder about this. The evil element is still there and I also wonder what will transpire. I hope for the best for these people.

Seems your government learned a lot from our toadies. Told you we should have gotten rid of them, but nnnoooo. TATA.

Well, Dawn, as I have always said that is their Life and they are entitled to lead it in Peace and be left alone These Anti-Gay element have to just get used to it and live with it

I think they better stay in the closet till they serve thier term. No telling what the staight ones will do!

The problem of DADT wasn't that gay members in military service were afraid of their fellow soldiers: it's that there was a threat of being kicked out if the military finds out they are gay. With DADT being repealed, gay service members will now have the option to report homophobic harassment without the fear of losing their own rights to defend their country.

I remember when the homosexuals wanted the right to marry and now in Canada it i legal for them to marry as well as in many states, but have you seen a rush to the Justices of the Peaces or the churches that permit these marriages? No. We have to see whether the homosexuals who want this right will enlist and actually go on the front line and be willing to lay their life down for their country. I do know that the Military has strict rules and if there is anyone hitting on anyone, they get prosecuted. That might be considered as anti-homosexuality, and there will be some who would want the officers to lay off, but that would be wrong. What I want to see is if the homosexuals are so eager to join the military and fight for America, then fine. However, if some said that they wanted to join the army and fight terrorism or learn a trade and now that the law has passed, go back on their word, that would be that they just wanted the law passed to expand their course, I would not like that.

I say Bravo! It's about time. It's one step up for civil rights. Way to go, President Obama. Thank you so much for doing this. Hey, dawnald, great to see you! And the happiest of holidays to you and yours! novataylor

iam a bit in fear of how the homophobics are going to react. im hoping soon people will except how things are. i mean, i believe we are born with whatever feelings we have that way and i really dont see why people have all these phobic things about it. it does make me worry.

I would imagine that there still will be the homophobic ones that may make life very difficult for any member of the armed forces who happens to be gay. I would guess that a lot of these men may still keep their sexuality a secret because the President may be ready for total equality and acceptance but there are many who are not and probably never will be which is a darn shame really...

I personally think that it is a great thing that the government is getting rid of the don't ask, don't tell policy. I do, unfortunately, think that there are going to be some negative ramifications from this change in policy as well. I think that as human being that we have rights to be proud of the people that we are. By having the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the first place, I think that there were a lot of people that weren't allowed to be proud of the person that they are.

This is good..but I feel that alot still will keep their preferences secret since it just might make people feel differently about them..I swear men can act a little crazy when they find out stuff like this..Which makes me think of that movie called I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry..You would think that grown men would have more sense..lol...And I hope they are accepted. Whatever their choices.

From the 1970's, when first hubby was in the Navy, I would say that for the most part, people know, anyway. Or they think they know. I remember that guys on the ship decided that a certain other guy was gay. They talked a lot about him, but that was all.I felt rather torn, as he was a friend of hubby's and of mine. I think this needs to be balanced so that those who want to come out can do so without being bullied.

I worry less about the anti-gay element in the armed forces than I do if the enemy in Iraq and Afghanistan find out a man or woman is gay. They consider such a thing to be a mortal sin and if the person is Muslim, he/she may be ostracized, tortured or murdered. I would expect the tortures would last much longer for an American soldier they discovered to be gay. I know everyone wants equality shouted to the rooftops, but this is one time the shouting may bring down the roof on our gay soldiers. I'm praying all our soldiers will come home, but if they must die, let it be quickly.

I think more gay people in the military will keep silent because there is so much of the anti-gay element. I think the military will want it that way! Being gay is getting better but I still feel the military still has a lot of issues on it! They have before I don't see it changing anything time soon!

Dawn- I spoke with my husband who served in the US Army, and his comments were things will probably pretty much stay the same in terms of don't ask don't tell. His understanding of is that the original policy was pushed and implemented because the feeling was if you told you risked being turned down for enlistment, for promotion, and people being prejudice against you for certain jobs or certain MOS's. It's kind of like why they aren't supposed to ask about religion, race, and orientation when you apply for a regular job. There is a case that it could be used against you even if you are the more qualified individual, but also used in your favor if you are the "right" group and thus it hurts another more qualified individual. Personally speaking, I think this could be applied to anything because there are phobias about lots of things. Most soldiers don't care what your orientation is, your race, etc when you're a part of a unit. You are there to help one another. However, there are always going to a few who will hate someone because they are homosexual, because they aren't Christian, and because they are Muslim. There is always going to be someone who hates something about another so much as to cause issues. Namaste-Anora