February 8, 2010 6:26 AM

There's no wrong way (or time) to do the right thing

A funny thing happened after Adm. Mike Mullen called for gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military: A curious silence befell much of the right. If this were a Sherlock Holmes story, it would be the case of the attack dogs that did not bark.... The occasional outliers notwithstanding, why did such a hush greet Mullen on Capitol Hill? The answer begins with the simple fact that a large majority of voters -- between 61 percent and 75 percent depending on the poll -- now share his point of view. Most Americans recognize that being gay is not a "lifestyle" but an immutable identity, and that outlawing discrimination against gay people who want to serve their country is, as the admiral said, "the right thing to do."

Every now and then, for reasons known largely only to themselves, leaders do what they're expected to do- they lead. They recognize that the reality so long accepted as immutable truth is in fact nothing of the sort. They then work to advance the idea that change is not only appropriate but necessary. In this case, Adm. Mike Mullen has taken a stance that few in the military have dared voice, though no doubt many have likely shared it over the years.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was a policy designed by and for those without the moral courage or the balls to stand up and do the right thing. Since 9.11, it's become amply clear that the wholesale cashiering of Gays and Lesbians from our military has done little but compromise national security. All you have to do is look at what DADT has done to the military's supply of Arabic speakers to understand that officially-sanctioned hatred and discrimination has made us less safe...though it has mollified the haters.

The time has come to recognize that we simply cannot continue to condone and pursue a policy that adversely impacts our military's ability to protect and preserve our security. Gays and Lesbians who want to serve should be applauded in the same way that heterosexuals are. Sexual orientation has no bearing on one's ability to fight, bleed, and die for one's country. Anyone willing to do so, assuming they're intellectually and physically qualified, should be welcomed and celebrated. It takes a special kind of person to be willing to fight and, if necessary, die to protect their homeland. That someone happens to love someone of their own gender seems a rather arbitrary consideration when it comes to determining fitness to serve.

Time was when African-American and women faced arguments similar to those used to drum homosexuals out of the military. The problem is that no matter what, there will always be bigots who feel that their prejudices should be primary. Our challenge should be to prove that we're bigger than that, that Americans accept and celebrate individual differences- particularly when it comes to protecting and preserving our collective security.

It's time to do the right thing. We've recognized that allowing women and African-Americans to serve doesn't adversely impact our national security. It's long past time to recognize and admit that Gays and Lesbians are no more of a threat, and in fact represent a net asset. Hatred and discrimination only demonstrate our collective ignorance and intolerance.

WE DESERVE BETTER. And so does ANY American, whatever their sexual orientation, who's willing to serve and defend their country.

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This page contains a single entry by James Bow published on February 8, 2010 6:26 AM.

When Democrats do it, it's hypocrisy. When Republicans do it, it's honesty. was the previous entry in this blog.

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