By: Tom Butts
I support my Democratic party; I’ve been consistent with my voting record. I am very proud of my part and of the President’s accomplishments –with one exception: “Don’t ask, don’t tell”.
Today, President Obama requested a stay in overturning the antiquated practice of having our troops “lie” if they happen to be gay or lesbian. He’s a coward. Here are some of the countries that don’t allow gays to serve openly in the military (I’d say we’re in good company): North Korea, Iran, Pakistan, Syria…
And to top it off, today is Wear Purple Day. Mr. President, you picked a bad day to do this.
What if the tables were turned? Seriously. I’m America’s first openly gay president. I’d stated, during my election campaign, that I want black people allowed in the military and yet, when the courts say it amounts to prejudice and unequal treatment, I push to keep the current policy in place until the decision can be done through congress.
Oh, and did I mention, it just happens to be Martin Luther King Day?
I’m not this person.
I believe in equal treatment of all people.
Mr. President, as I stated above, you made a cowardly decision.
Right on Tom.
Equality is the ONLY answer.
Tom I love your writing and your perspective!
I bet your Democratic president feels Republicans are going to take Congress at the November elections and he would love it if they voted against “don’t ask, don’t tell”. He knows the gay community may be upset with him now, but if republicans vote against “don’t ask, don’t tell”, the gay community will be so mad at the republicans in 2012 they will vote for him again. Hello!!! The president wants you to think he is in favor of gay community issues, and you believe him. I have nothing against gay individuals or our president (what accomplishments). I just don’t feel as passionate about having to tell everyone about my sexual preference.
If a person is gay, why do they have to tell the world and not just their parents, family and friends? Why is it so important that gay individuals have to tell the other men and women in the military they are gay? I just don’t get it. It is like they are trying to be noticed and prove something. OK they are gay…. so what! Who cares…some do! If you are gay, you are not special or different than anyone else in these days and times.
Lets be real, your black comparison was not a comparison. The president is a black male married to a black women and has produced children. If you are a black, white, yellow or red gay individual, you are different because of your sexual preference unless there is something else I do not know about. I do not know when the gay community became an ethnic group. It would be hard to reproduce.
Our men and women in the military most likely don’t care if a person is gay, but there are some that do care! Our military does not need any distractions or concerns like gay individuals trying to make sure everyone in the military knows they are gay, especially while they are in combat and tying to keep our country safe from harm. This issue does not have anything to do with being prejudice or unequal treatment. How insignificant is having to let everyone know a persons sexual characteristics or preference when it comes to the safety of our country.
Kathi,
I get your point of view and I hope to think of myself as Tom the guy, not Tom the gay guy.
Bringing our personal lives into the military happens all the time. Let’s “roleplay”:
“Hey Kathi, what did you do this weekend?”, says Tom.
“Oh, nothing crazy, my husband, kids and I went out to dinner, we had Italian, was great”, says Kathi.
“What did you do Tom?”, says Kathi.
“Well, me and my special friend, ahhhh, I mean significant other, oh, I mean my husband…oh sh*t, my…went to a movie and grabbed a glass of wine.”, says Tom.
It’s silly really – when men/women are in combat, sexuality does not play a part of it.
I hope you understand what I’m saying…
PS My hubby was an Air Force pilot and Captain. His father was a Colonel.
Again I agree Tom. Kathi, I don’t think they will have to tell anything if they don’t want to but they will be free to discuss their lives just like the rest of us. I sense anger in your response as you speak about his president. He is the president of the USA and deserves respect first and foremost.