A simple question for people who support lifting DADT

@ParaTed2k (22940)
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
December 18, 2010 11:55pm CST
It's a simple question. One that NCOs and Officers in the US Military will face on a regular basis now that gay people will be serving openly in the US military. So, since many of you are all for this ban, I'm sure you have no problem answering it. You are a commander of an Army unit. One of your troops has accused another troop of unwanted attention in the barracks. The troop being accused is gay. The troop with the complaint admits the other troop didn't' actually touch or "come on" to him, he just feels uncomfortable with the way the gay troop looks at him when changing clothes or coming out of the shower... especially when they are alone together. So, how would you handle the situation?
2 people like this
5 responses
19 Dec 10
I would tell these guys to grow up. Get over themselves. These woudl be the same types of men who thinke every woman in the world is drooling over them. The military already employs men and women, so is there not just as much of a chance of heterosexual harrasment as there is homosexual harrasment. If these men are not secure neough in who they are to deal with serving along side a gay person then perhaps they are not mature enough to be in the military.
19 Dec 10
But you said there was no actual harrassment. You said the person admitted that the person did not touch them or come on to them. And I do think there is probably harrassment between men and women, which solidifies my point that how is this any different?
19 Dec 10
I can see your point, but how is this different now that gays will be allowed to be open. Truth be told, if gay guys are like women, they dont just sit around and check out everything with the male equipment all day long. I know many guys like to feel like this is true, but it's just now. Gays have been allowed in the military, so these men have been serving alongside gay men for years. Are you telling me that the stereotypes weren't already there? are you telling me there weren't out but not out guys in the military already? I think our society makes too big of a deal of sexuality. People who are uncomfortable with anothers sexuality I firmly believe are not comfortable in their own skin. In my opinion, if these brave young men and women want to sign up to go to war and fight for my freedom, I dont care what race, creed or sexuality they are. They deserve support and a standing ovation.
19 Dec 10
But here's the problem. IF the gay roomate happens to be attracted to the straight roomate, and does nothing to act on it, there is still NO harrassment. Would the said straight man be upset if it was an attractive female that was attracted to him but did nothing to act on the feeling? Too many people go around thinking that gay people want to 'turn them gay' which is not true. Most gay people I know would never think of hittin gon a straight person even if they were attracted to them because they know that the feeling is not mutual.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
20 Dec 10
I'd move the guy that is uncomfortable into another bunk if he felt that uncomfortable. Are there that many situations where they'd actually be alone? I thought there were several in each bunk. There isn't?
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
20 Dec 10
If you don't want to be called a liar, quit lying. The sad thing is, when you finally come up with a great comment, you ask me not to answer.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
20 Dec 10
I won't be back to this discussion. It is obvious to me that most people are quick to demand things of others that they refuse to even consider for themselves. I guess that is one of the things that sets US Military NCOs and Officers a part from the rest. Thank you for your participation! Most of it was great discussions.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
20 Dec 10
Never mind, ted. Please don't answer this. I just came from your other discussion where you called me a blantant liar. I've debated with you in past discussions and even come to understand your way of thinking at times but after being called a blatant liar for expressing my honest opinion which admittedly could be wrong. Your "know-it-all" and self-righteous attitude is a turn off. I learn and sometimes am swayed to change my opinion on certain topics through debate but when someone gets angry and lowers themselves to accuse the other person of being a liar for simply having a different take on the situation then I'm done. If I'm wrong then point out where I'm wrong with facts...don't call me a liar because you can't come back with a better argument...silly! Convince me I'm wrong. I'm ok with being wrong and will be the first to admit to you that I was and that your argument got me seeing things from another angle.
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
19 Dec 10
I think if the gay guy value his life, he simply won't do it. Because if he does, he is more likely to be taken outside in a dark alley than being reported.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
19 Dec 10
There is truth to that Aussie. Which is another issue that really does need to be addressed in connection with passing this "law". Of course it won't ever really be addressed because it isn't PC.
• Australia
19 Dec 10
The law never address any issue until people start dying.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
20 Dec 10
I won't be back to this discussion. It is obvious to me that most people are quick to demand things of others that they refuse to even consider for themselves. I guess that is one of the things that sets US Military NCOs and Officers a part from the rest. Thank you for your participation! Most of it was great discussions.
• United States
20 Dec 10
*avoids the asked question, instead comes from another point of view/angle* ... So... we are willing to let an openly gay person fight and die for our country but not get married in most states in said country? Don't get me wrong. I'm against gay marriage and homosexuals serving in the military. But that is a double standard. One of my issues in this ordeal is, what does our country stand for, what do we want it to stand for, and then the issue should come up about letting them serve or not.(As when a person serves in our military or other government job, they are supposed to help represent our countries principles and ideals.) As our country's culture and laws have for so long looked down upon homosexuality. Then we should stick to that concept until we decide to change it. Starting with marriages, family definitions rewrites, and protections for civil rights. Then move on to allowing them to represent our countries ideals by serving in our military. The way this has gone now... This could easily be used to argue for gay marriage. A cultural and lawful standard that I and many others do not support. But unless we can get this DADT policy reinstated (Or reworded or something Idk.)... It is used as fodder against us. A real quandry. Please note. I am not arguing about whether or not these rights should be awarded homosexuals. I am commenting on the order of which things have happened. And noted that the order is unfair to my political viewpoint (and my viewpoint does make up roughly half the population, I am assuming. I haven't seen the numbers recently.) And that it will make it more difficult for us to fight for our rights, morals, and viewpoint on how this country is run. And thus the chips have been stacked against us.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
20 Dec 10
All agendas are crafted to guide the masses to a specific point. When it comes to "progressivism" the "slippery slope" is no longer a logical fallacy... it's a way of life.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
20 Dec 10
I won't be back to this discussion. It is obvious to me that most people are quick to demand things of others that they refuse to even consider for themselves. I guess that is one of the things that sets US Military NCOs and Officers a part from the rest. Thank you for your participation! Most of it was great discussions.
• Philippines
19 Dec 10
Hello Parated2k, You have a point there, If they are going to lifting the Ban "Don't ask, Don't Tell", there should be a conditions applied (both pros and cons) if they ever committed such harrasive acts. If they lift ban with out adding rules in terms harrassment from some gays or lesbians in the future, it is likely what you predict could happen. of course, the trooper must have been annoyed some how.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
19 Dec 10
Exactly! The problem is, the push to allow gay people to openly serve is more political than military. Any decision by local commanders that would put a negative light on the program will be considered "harasment" of gay troops.. just like anytime the issue of women in the military comes up.
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
20 Dec 10
I won't be back to this discussion. It is obvious to me that most people are quick to demand things of others that they refuse to even consider for themselves. I guess that is one of the things that sets US Military NCOs and Officers a part from the rest. Thank you for your participation! Most of it was great discussions.