On Sunday, military newspapers released the results of a survey that revealed a sharp decrease in the number of active-duty troops who oppose people who are openly gay and serving.
And with recent statements from Republicans and military officials, it has become clear how most people feel: “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is cruel and unnecessary.
So the Editorial Board has one question: When will we finally get rid of it?
President Obama announced during his State of the Union address that he would work with Congress this year to appeal it.
We appreciate the promise, but it’s important that “this year” doesn’t turn into “whenever.”
That means Americans can’t listen to professional naysayers like Rep. John Boehner, who hides his bigotry behind the “there are more important things to deal with” shield.
People who practice fundamentalism, witchcraft, Satanism and white supremacy — all of which are choices made by their observers — serve openly in the U.S. military.
But gay soldiers, who have about the same control over their sexuality as the Editorial Board has over the color of its members’ eyes, have to keep their mouths shut.
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” teaches men and women in the service and Americans as a whole that being gay or lesbian is something to be ashamed of, but as long as the policy is intact, the only thing we should be ashamed of is living in the country that won’t stand up and defeat it.
