Debate and Discourse: AWESOME POST in "Maine Referendum: Studying Actuarial Tables", by Ta

Scalfin · November 2009

Scalfin has reported a post.

Reason:

Wow, we actually got something moving in D&D.

Post: Maine Referendum: Studying Actuarial Tables
Forum: Debate and Discourse
Assigned Moderators: Elki, ElJeffe, Irond Will

Posted by: Taretch
Original Content:

Forar wrote: »

You know, I don't think it was until this thread that it occurred to me just how powerful the fact that there are gays in the US Military really is.

Spoiler:

There are people out there, who are denied many of the US's basic rights and freedoms, who are risking their lives and sometimes dying to defend freedoms that are held out of their reach based purely on how they were born and the bias of some religions that are supposed to be keeping their mitts out of the government that serves both groups in the first place.

I can only assume that they are at least in part fighting for what they believe to be a greater good for their country, perhaps with the hope that one day the majority will finally turn around on an issue so inconsequential on many levels as to be laughable, all while maintaining a facade that could otherwise lead to their removal from their chosen career or even their own death.

What do you think about that, dragonsama?

You may not like gays, and I'll bet if they knew your views, they probably wouldn't be too fond of you either, but they're out there. Right now. Fighting, bleeding and dying to protect you and the freedoms you enjoy, including the freedom to speak out against their way of life and even vote to continue to make them second class citizens in their own home country. They have sworn to defend not only you but your right to express your backwards and intolerant ideology, and you would prefer that they never share the same benefits and comfort available to you and yours because they like other men or women, as the case may be.

Furthermore, military operations are being potentially compromised because trained, experienced and valuable personnel are being removed from duty based on their sexual orientation, when they provide vital skills (such as translators) in crucial aspects of several ongoing conflicts that are already miring your country's military down.

I'm sure this injustice will be ignored or fly over your head, but even as someone who considers himself tolerant and open minded, it's enough to let a little rage overtake ones thoughts at the idea of such inequity.

I've been in the USAF for 12 years now, my boyfriend of 6 years is in the US Army. I've been to Iraq twice, Afghanistan once, Qatar once. My boyfriend has been deployed to Iraq/Afghanistan for roughly 3 years of our 6 year relationship.

As two gay men in the Armed Forces, I thank you for saying everything that you just did. Reading the opinions of people like dragonsama are somewhat disheartening at times, but we keep pressing forward...

...hopefully one day I'll be able to propose--just hoping it's before we're both a couple of geriatric fucks and can't enjoy the typical honeymoon. :winky: