Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Look Back

It's been 24 hours since the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law passed into history and the Republic still seems safe. Discrimination never does our nation proud and I'm glad that we've closed the book on this long, pointless, harmful chapter in our history (did it ever make sense while we were at war in Iraq to be dismissing Arabic-language specialists when we were suffering, and still are, from a shortage of personnel with this kind of expertise?).

Given the ultimate purpose of the military is to defend the nation and, let's be honest, if necessary, kill the enemy, who you love seems completely irrelevant to pulling the proverbial trigger. The UK and Israel, countries with armed forces that have repeatedly proven themselves in combat, have long allowed gays and lesbians to serve in the ranks without any adverse effects. I have no doubt that this will be true of our armed forces, too.

In an era when we're fighting two unpopular wars, pay is lagging, and benefits are about to be trimmed, I, for one, am especially grateful to anyone who is willing to put on our nation's uniform.

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