Sen. McCain stop the hate for National Security sake

September 21, 2010 · By Jerry Castillo

If you still have the mental capacity of a patriotic American citizen, please stop the hate against our own warriors. Young men and women join the US military not because they are forced to, but rather out of a since of duty to protect our country, all its citizens and its values, just as you and your sons have bravely served. The values most precious to all military personnel are the American dream to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Protecting these values comes at a heavy burden for the 1% of Americans who take a solemn oath to protect, defend the constitution of the United States of America. The very documents that dictate to us that all men (and women) have these unalienable rights never made exceptions for a specific group of people and for good reason. President George Washington’s right hand man for military affairs was a Frenchman that we would consider a “flamer” by today’s standards. Clearly he was a homosexual and helped design and implement military tactics that led to the defeat of the British. We owe our very existence to the dedication and honorable work of a homosexual.

Today as the Senate takes up the debate to end Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Pursue, Don’t Harass policy I would hope Mr. McCain you will consider the damage this policy has done to our military and its most valuable resources. Not only does this policy discriminate against a certain population group, but it also affects the entire military.

This policy began as Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell with an agreement that the military would not ask and not pursue personnel. As with most gentlemen’s agreement some would freely interpret the policy as they deem appropriate. DoD then had to add Don’t Pursue to the policy name assuming this would resolve these issues.
In 1999, a heterosexual soldier was taunted and brutally killed by a fellow soldier while he slept. DoD then added Don’t Harass to the policy name.

In 17 years we have discovered this policy is flawed, costly, and useless to our defense and now it is time to repeal it all together. Today there are only two other military forces that forbid homosexuals; Iran and North Korea.

As a gay veteran myself, I think it is time for the US to move itself forward into the 21st century and if you are unwilling or unable to move forward please consider retirement and move out of the way of progress.

The brave men and women who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf, regardless of their sexual preferences, deserve to be recognized for who they are, and treated with respect, dignity and honor.

Your moral beliefs are just that; yours. Keep them if you wish and hold on to them if you must, but they should not interfere with the progress of our great military.

For more details:

What Does the Empirical Research Say about the Impact of  Openly Gay Service on the Military?