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Martian · 06-24-2009, 03:53 PM

seretogis: I understand your impatience.

It's difficult for those of us who are outside the GBLT community to relate to some issues. I think this is one of them. Certainly it is important, and it is a civil rights issue. At the same time, politicking is inevitable.

I'm removed one degree further, because I'm not an American citizen. Honestly, things like don't ask don't tell confuse the hell out of me. I really don't see how a soldier's sexual orientation is in any way relevant -- the pertinent question is whether or not he is capable of carrying out the duties required of the role. It's a simple yes/no, and there's very little else that impacts it.

The she is implicit. I default to singular male pronoun in a lot of cases, and often don't bother to clarify, but in the context of this discussion it's relevant.

It seems to me that Obama is being very carefully neutral on a lot of issues, and that this is one of them. I think the man has Plans, and needs to consider every move from as many angles as possible in order to carry out those Plans effectively. That's how I'm reading the situation, anyway. If there are other items on his agenda and if pushing don't ask don't tell has the potential to impact those other items, then don't ask don't tell gets placed on the back burner. It's not ideal, but it may be necessary. Seeing a US President who actually thinks about what he's doing is reason enough to be guardedly optimistic, and I'm willing to give the man the benefit of the doubt on this.

It's easy for me to say sit tight and be patient, because this isn't my issue. It's harder to do when you're directly involved. So long as the movement continues to be toward more social freedoms rather than less, don't ask don't tell has a limited lifespan.

Sit tight and be patient.

06-24-2009, 03:53 PM	#23 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	seretogis: I understand your impatience. It's difficult for those of us who are outside the GBLT community to relate to some issues. I think this is one of them. Certainly it is important, and it is a civil rights issue. At the same time, politicking is inevitable. I'm removed one degree further, because I'm not an American citizen. Honestly, things like don't ask don't tell confuse the hell out of me. I really don't see how a soldier's sexual orientation is in any way relevant -- the pertinent question is whether or not he is capable of carrying out the duties required of the role. It's a simple yes/no, and there's very little else that impacts it. The she is implicit. I default to singular male pronoun in a lot of cases, and often don't bother to clarify, but in the context of this discussion it's relevant. It seems to me that Obama is being very carefully neutral on a lot of issues, and that this is one of them. I think the man has Plans, and needs to consider every move from as many angles as possible in order to carry out those Plans effectively. That's how I'm reading the situation, anyway. If there are other items on his agenda and if pushing don't ask don't tell has the potential to impact those other items, then don't ask don't tell gets placed on the back burner. It's not ideal, but it may be necessary. Seeing a US President who actually thinks about what he's doing is reason enough to be guardedly optimistic, and I'm willing to give the man the benefit of the doubt on this. It's easy for me to say sit tight and be patient, because this isn't my issue. It's harder to do when you're directly involved. So long as the movement continues to be toward more social freedoms rather than less, don't ask don't tell has a limited lifespan. Sit tight and be patient. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame