Gay Military Matters

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright Feb. 5, 2010
All Rights Reserved.                    

              Making good on another campaign promise, President Barack Obama asked the Pentagon to reconsider the Clinton era “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy for gays in the military.  Back in 1993, former President Bill Clinton wanted but couldn’t get a policy to allow homosexuals to serve openly in the military, forced to hide their sexual orientation or face courts martial and eviction from service.  While somewhat extraneous to pressing problems facing the country, it’s a dicey can of worms to open up during an election year.  While you’d expect most conservatives to go side with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” former Secretary of State and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Colin L. Powell threw his support to allowing gays to serve openly.  Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Service Committee, denounced the idea as unnecessary and counterproductive.

            Calling the issue one that “comes down to integrity,” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Staff Chairman Gen. Michael Mullen said it was time to lift the ban.  Mullen antagonized McCain and other conservatives believing that the current policy was effective in dealing with an age-old problem.  Since sexual orientation is a private matter, opponents to changing the current policy see problems with more openness.  “No matter how I look at the issue,” Mullen said.  “I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens,” irking McCain.  “Has the policy been ideal? No, it is not,” said McCain.  “But it has been effective,” wishing to leave “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” alone for the time being.  McCain expressed disappointment over Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ supporting the change.

            McCain and other conservatives see a complicated picture where well-intentioned gays find themselves sexually aroused in close quarters with their heterosexual comrades.  No one denies that homosexuals, by definition, find male anatomy sexually arousing.  Current military protocol segregates male and female soldiers, especially where it comes to bathing and restrooms.  If homosexuals serve openly with heterosexuals, it opens the door for precarious incidents.  “You don’t have to be straight to shoot straight,” said Rep. Mark Udall (D-Col.), quoting the late Sen. Barry Goldwater (R-Ariz.), putting the issue in terms of military skills.  Former Army helicopter engineer Scott Duane Fair, 30, opposes the change, citing an experience when a private in a California barracks where he was propositioned by a gay senior officer.  Problems like that have to be addressed during the yearlong review.

            Recent polling inside and outside the military shows a more relaxed attitude toward gays serving openly in the military.   A USA/Gallup poll in mid-2009 indicated 69% supported gays serving openly, while 28% opposed the idea.  Buying the Pentagon some time, Gates said that any change would require at least a yearlong study, examining the complexities of ending, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”  “Concrete, in-depth evidence that readiness concerns require a change and that such a change would not degrade wartime military readiness in any measurable significant way,” said House Armed Services Committee member Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.), urging the Pentagon to carefully evaluate any policy change.  McKeon reminds Democrats that jumping on the bandwagon too readily could play into Republican hands facing tough reelection battles in November.

            Despite endorsements from GOP leaders, Republican National Congressional Committee has already stated unequivocal opposition to changing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”  “I don’t think it will be a campaign issue,” said House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio).  “In the middle of two wars, and in the middle of this giant security threat, why we would we want to get into this debate?” telling Republicans to avoid taking a position.  Boehner sees the issue as only a loser for GOP candidates.  Republicans would like to focus on runaway Democrat spending, continued recession and high unemployment, while they offer themselves as alternatives to the status quo.  Debating “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” has no upside potential for Republicans looking to regain traction in the House and Senate.  Mullen, Gates and Powell offer no reassurances for the GOP in 2010.

            Pushing for a change in “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” diverts attention away from the real issues impacting the midterm elections.  Whether or not gays serve openly in the military won’t give jobs to unemployed workers in the Rust Belt, Deep South or more enlightened areas in the West or Northeast.  “Whenever you’re not talking about jobs and the economy, you’re talking about something the public’s not focused on,” said Republican political strategist David Winston, urging candidates to avoid talking about gays in the military.  Democrats may think diverting attention to extraneous issues help their cause but Republicans can easily point out the folly, when the country faces a punishing recession and emerging terrorist threats.  Mullen, Gates and Powell offer the Pentagon’s perspectives but aren’t in touch with more pressing campaign issues facing voters in 2010.

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news.  He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.