Openly Gay Military Members: To Ban or Not To Ban?

Stephen Fehlhaber

ENGL 122

Instructor B. Kern

On January 31, 2010, New York Times online posted an article entitled “Forces Pushing Obama on ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’” The article states that as of right now, and for the past 17 years, the military bans openly gay members. President Obama is in a predicament because he has always opposed the law, however if the case comes before the Supreme Court, he would have to defend why it is still in effect.

Personally, this is kind of silly to me. Since when does sexual preference have anything to do with the ability of a soldier? This law makes no sense to me. The soldiers and other officers in the military opted to be there. If these people are willing to serve their country, without being forced to do so, why would someone stop that? It takes a lot to join the military. The military is not for everyone. President Obama needs to step up to the plate and not worry about defending why the law is still in effect. He did not put the law in effect. There are plenty of laws out there, which I am sure, President Obama does not agree with. He should work on getting rid of it, especially if he, himself, does not agree with it.