Military Ouster of Gays Plunges

It's a funny thing that if, as alleged by the Christianists and reactionaries in the U. S. military, gays break down unit cohesiveness, etc., that more gays are not being discharged in this time of war than in more peaceful periods. When would morale and unit cohesiveness be more important? The fact that the number of discharges under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is way down exposes the disingenuousness of the Christianist argument and demonstrates that gays in the military poses none of the alleged unwanted circumstances.

Even the Washington Times is taking note of this reality. No doubt this story will cause a number of delusional, wingnut Christianist (e.g., Elaine Donnelly) to get their panties in a wad. If Ms. Donnelly thinks there are fewer gays in the military, I challenge her to go out with me some weekend so she can see all those Navy boys and Marines in the local gay clubs. The woman needs serious medication (and psychiatric treatment, in my opinion. Also, why does she always look like she just passed gas in her photos?) Here are story highlights (http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080121/NATION/466140525/1001):

The U.S. military says it is enforcing the ban on open homosexuals in the ranks, as it has for decades, in the face of statistics that show a sharp drop in the number of discharged homosexuals as wars in Afghanistan and Iraq continue.

Homosexual rights advocates cite the plunge as evidence that the military is losing interest in enforcement and lets openly homosexual men and women serve because commanders need every able-bodied troop. "Truth be told, I don't think the Pentagon is a big fan of the law anymore," said Steve Ralls, spokesman for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, which is pushing for the ban's demise.

"Our policy implements the law Congress passed after prolonged research and debate," said Pentagon spokeswoman Eileen Lainez. Ms. Lainez said "we can't speculate as to why the number of discharges has declined" from 1,273 in 2001 to 612 in 2006. Mr. Ralls understands the decline as "clear evidence that traditionally during a time of war lesbian and gay discharges decline," he said. "Commanders recognize the value of having good quality service members on the job regardless of what their sexual orientation may be."

Elaine Donnelly, who runs the Center for Military Readiness, said no comprehensive evidence supports that theory. She thinks fewer homosexuals are joining the military.