The Pentagon recently sent out a survey to hundreds of
thousands of troops asking them about the possible repeal of the United States' ban on Jews in the military. Copies of the poll were leaked on the Internet. It
included questions such as the following:
1. What is your biggest concern about the possibility of serving with Jewish servicemen?
a. They
would try to "Jew down" the price of
Kevlar vests.
b. Their
noses would be a target for the enemy.
c. They
would spend too much time talking to their mothers.
d. Army-issued
cheeseburgers would be outlawed as "treyf."
2. If Jewish women are allowed to enlist, how do you think your military
experience might change?
a. Troops
will be forced into multiple viewings of "Yentl."
b. Officers
will have to show proof of medical school enrollment before a
first
date.
c. Jewish
servicewomen would go into enemy territory to help the locals
accessorize their burqas.
d. The
new troops would try to bedazzle our camouflage fatigues.
Oh, relax, I'm Jewish, I reserve the right to make fun of Jewish stereotypes, but I ask you, is the ACTUAL survey that was sent to over 400,000 active duty,national guard, and reserve forces regarding the possible repeal of "Don't Ask,Don't Tell" any less insane? Here are some questions from that gem:
1. If a wartime situation made it necessary for you to share a room, berth, or field tent with someone you believe to be a gay or lesbian service member, which are you most likely to do?
a. Take no action.
b.
Discuss how we expected each other
to behave.
c.
Talk to a chaplain or mentor.
d.
Talk to a leader to see if I have
other options.
2. If "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is repealed and you are assigned to bathroom facilities with open bay shower with a gay or lesbian service member, which are you most likely to do?
a. Take
no action.
b. Use the shower at a different
time.
There are a bunch of other suchquestions in this absurd document that was sent out a few weeks ago and a similarsurvey is planned for family members of (straight) military personnel. What a colossalwaste of time and taxpayer money (the price tag of the survey is a whopping $4.5million!). Were the troops surveyed in 1948 when President Truman endedsegregation in the military? You can bet many people were upset about thatchange but the military didn't stop and provide a forum for theirracist attitudes. Nor was there any survey in 1976 when service academies wereopened to women. The Pentagon is defending the survey as a necessary step ingetting ready for the possible integration of gays and lesbians into the armedforces. Um...guess what, guys?
THEY'RE ALREADY THERE! (And they always have been.)
Is there any policy in our country's history more mind-numbingly absurd than "Don't Ask, Don'tTell?" The compromise of the Clinton Administration is one that willstun future generations for its sheer idiocy. Have you ever read the actuallanguage of the law? The policy prohibits anyone with a propensity toengage in homosexual acts from serving in the armed forces of the United Statesbecause "it would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards or morale,good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of militarycapability." Oh, but wait. You CAN be gay, the misguided compromise states, you just can'tdisclose your sexual orientation or speak about any homosexual relationship. Ifyou do admit to it, or if someone rats you out, then you will be kicked to the curb no matter how admirably and bravely you've served your country, as over 14,000 people have been since "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" went into effect in 1993.Revealingly, the number of gays and lesbians booted out decreased dramaticallyafter 9/11 and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq began. Good fodder, after all, but the policy is still the cause of outrageously unfair persecution.The comic above (click to enlarge) is from a surreal army handbook explaining theintricacies of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" to the troops.
There are many stories of heartbreak and misery caused by this policy--a few can be found here.Incidentally, did you know that most countries around the world allow gay troops to serve in their armed forces? Of allthe NATO countries, only Turkey and the United States prohibit gays and lesbians fromserving openly. Other countries, from Albania to Canada to Germany to Israelto Uruguay allow it.
The United States can be proud to be part of an illustrious group that includes Cuba, China, Egypt, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.