I Won't Ask And Please Don't Tell
Last week in the president’s State of the Union address, Obama reiterated his support for the total repeal of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. This policy allows gays, lesbians and bisexuals to serve in the military as long as they don’t reveal their sexual preferences.
Earlier this week the U.S. Senate held hearings on the issue. Secretary of Defense, Bob Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen both supported its repeal. Me and my gay friends have debated this issue for years and my position is still the same, “I won’t ask what your sexual preference is and please don’t tell me what it is.”
The gay rights movement has less to do with equal rights and more to do with acceptance of the gay lifestyle. As a U.S. citizen (and as a person), gays are already offered all sorts of protections based on existing law. That’s what the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are all about. Then, there is another set of protections based on state law.
The one question none of my gay friends have ever been able to satisfactorily answer for me is why I (or the public) need to know what their sexual preference is. I like women. Strike that. I love women, but when I meet people in a social setting or in the workplace environment, I don’t think my sexual preference is relevant at all. As a matter of fact, one’s sexual preference is strictly a private matter and has absolutely no place in the public square.
As a heterosexual, if I talked about my sexual preference in the workplace, I could easily be reprimanded and accused of sexual harassment simply because this is a private matter and is not relevant to me performing my job. This is where my gay friends lose me—on the issue of why I need to know who they prefer to have sex with.
In my view, if the issue was about equality, then they are already protected. But, their real issue is to have their personal lifestyle choices accepted. The ultimate measure of acceptance is to have their lifestyle choices codified by law. This is their ultimate goal!
This is part of the problem with our current society. Everyone wants to have rights codified into law based strictly on their narrow interests. Everyone talks about what their rights are, but no one talks about what their responsibilities are. Rights are a direct derivative of accepting responsibility for the privilege of having these rights.
I don’t have to support a person’s personal lifestyle choices in order to support their right to equality under the law. Friends of mine who use drugs (cocaine, marijuana, etc.) know that I definitely do not agree with their choices, nor do I need to know when they are going to engage in such activity. Their lifestyle choices doesn’t affect our friendship, even though in some cases it might limit it.
The gay community’s only goal is to have their personal lifestyle choices validated with the force of law. I don’t care what a person does in their private life, as long as it doesn’t impact others. I don’ understand why people insist on the public knowing the most intimate of all their personal life’s details.
When I walk into a room, there is no doubt as to my race. I was born this way and God did not seek my advice when he decided to create me. Unlike me and my race, one is not born gay. They make a choice to engage in a certain lifestyle. They have every right to do so.
Some people walk into a room and you know immediately that they are gay (not all, but many). Even if they make it quite obvious that they are gay, this is not grounds to discriminate against them. I will fight to the death to defend my gay friends from this type of treatment. But, they also have to realize that our country is not perfect and with choices come consequences.
For example, there are certain upper class circles that I, as a Black man, would never take a white female to and make it obvious that we are romantically involved. Should I be able to date a white female without having to consider any negative fallout, of course; but the reality of the situation is that even in the 21st century, interracial dating is still taboo in a lot of quarters in this country. Do I have a right to date whoever I want? Yes. But, if I chose to exercise this right, I must also be willing to accept the fact that not all Americans will accept my personal lifestyle choice.
So, using the model of my gay friends, I should seek a federal law to protect interracial couples. I wasn’t born to date outside of my race; it would be a choice I made. So, just because I made certain personal lifestyle choices, doesn’t mean I should be afforded a special law to codify that choice.
To my gay friends, if the goal of the movement is equality; please tell me specifically how current law doesn’t protect you as a U.S. citizen from discrimination. The issue of having gay marriage recognized is about acceptance, not equality. As a U.S. citizen, you are already protected from discrimination, harassment, and assault.
Therefore, to all my gay friends, let’s make a deal. I won’t ask you about your personal lifestyle choices and please don’t tell me!
Thursday, February 04, 2010
SITTING ON THE FENCE
The military's policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell is nothing more then fence sitting.
There are those that argue that this issue is about gays forcing others to accept thier lifestyle. I disagree. It is about their rights to equal protection. Gay rights has everything to do with equal rights; because you don’t have to accept their lifestyle, you just have to treat them fairly.
The question to answer is not why does anyone need to know a gay person’s sexual preference as some would argue is the case. The question is why should they have to hide their identity.
A person’s sexual preference is private, but if someone knows you are heterosexcual, it doesn’t mean the end of your career. You don’t have to hide your relationships in “fear” of being ostracized or fired from your job.
For the record, if sexual identity was something that we all choose, then there are no heterosexuals or homosexuals, we are all just “sexual”. It means that all men and all women are not driven by a biological factor to have a preference for the opposite sex but we all choose it. This means we would all have to admit that we are all attracted to men and women but choose to be with the opposite sex just as gays choose to be with the same sex. I do not believe that God or nature, whichever you prefer, is that flipped in the design of our sexuality.
Gays and Lesbians are not asking for special laws. They are asking for EQUAL TREATMENT UNDER THE LAW. So if they can be kicked out of the military because someone finds out they are gay, not because they are screaming it to everyone they meet, then that is NOT equal treatment.
There are many gays and lesbians that serve their country with honor and with dignity. They serve and fight to protect other American’s rights and freedoms. So why would or should we deny them the same rights and freedoms as other Americans just because some in our society are not “comfortable” with their lifestyle, which is what this debate really boils down to.
It’s like my mother would say, “piss or get off the pot”. The Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy is a policy that allows us to sit on the fence. If we are going to discriminate against a group of people then be upfront and honest about it. Let’s put them in separate schools, and keep them out of our neighborhoods. Let’s deny them the right to vote.
Sound familiar?
We are trying to justify discrimination in our day and age plain and simple.
It is wrong anyway you cut it.
But there are those that continue to argue against gay rights espeically in the African American community because they want to continue to believe that being gay is a choice.
That is part of the problem. They continue to ignore evidence that points to homosexuality being a biological issue. There are plenty of studies that show this.
“…The two scientists are not foolhardy enough to claim that a single gene can make a person homosexual. But they think their studies may yield important new insights into how genetic makeup, through a complex series of biochemical reactions, influences sexual orientation…”
“A new study has found a correlation between a specific region of the X chromosome and male homosexuality. The finding represents new evidence that sexual orientation may be influenced by heredity”.
To read more at: http://www.skeptictank.org/gaygene.htm
If you can lose your job for you sexual identity then you are NOT protected. If a gay person becomes ill and their spouse can’t see them in the hospital because their “union” is not recognized like a heterosexual couples, they are NOT protected.
But let’s say for the sake of argument that it is a personal choice. Then where does anyone get of telling two grown adults what they can do in a free society? How is it that we can try to make up laws and policies to make homosexuality “illegal”, which is what these policies and laws are doing?
So it’s not about making new laws for gays. It’s about ensuring their rights that some argue they already have under the law.
Some will say they have to accept the consequences for their actions. What are those? And better yet, WHY are there consequences for being who and what you are?
We make laws to protect citizens. So how do these laws and policies protect you and I from people who choose to be gay?
They don't. They are just modern day policies and laws put forth to try and discriminate against one segment of our society because we are not comfortable with their so called choice.
All this leads me to recall the words of Dr. King:
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963
The military's policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell is nothing more then fence sitting.
There are those that argue that this issue is about gays forcing others to accept thier lifestyle. I disagree. It is about their rights to equal protection. Gay rights has everything to do with equal rights; because you don’t have to accept their lifestyle, you just have to treat them fairly.
The question to answer is not why does anyone need to know a gay person’s sexual preference as some would argue is the case. The question is why should they have to hide their identity.
A person’s sexual preference is private, but if someone knows you are heterosexcual, it doesn’t mean the end of your career. You don’t have to hide your relationships in “fear” of being ostracized or fired from your job.
For the record, if sexual identity was something that we all choose, then there are no heterosexuals or homosexuals, we are all just “sexual”. It means that all men and all women are not driven by a biological factor to have a preference for the opposite sex but we all choose it. This means we would all have to admit that we are all attracted to men and women but choose to be with the opposite sex just as gays choose to be with the same sex. I do not believe that God or nature, whichever you prefer, is that flipped in the design of our sexuality.
Gays and Lesbians are not asking for special laws. They are asking for EQUAL TREATMENT UNDER THE LAW. So if they can be kicked out of the military because someone finds out they are gay, not because they are screaming it to everyone they meet, then that is NOT equal treatment.
There are many gays and lesbians that serve their country with honor and with dignity. They serve and fight to protect other American’s rights and freedoms. So why would or should we deny them the same rights and freedoms as other Americans just because some in our society are not “comfortable” with their lifestyle, which is what this debate really boils down to.
It’s like my mother would say, “piss or get off the pot”. The Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy is a policy that allows us to sit on the fence. If we are going to discriminate against a group of people then be upfront and honest about it. Let’s put them in separate schools, and keep them out of our neighborhoods. Let’s deny them the right to vote.
Sound familiar?
We are trying to justify discrimination in our day and age plain and simple.
It is wrong anyway you cut it.
But there are those that continue to argue against gay rights espeically in the African American community because they want to continue to believe that being gay is a choice.
That is part of the problem. They continue to ignore evidence that points to homosexuality being a biological issue. There are plenty of studies that show this.
“…The two scientists are not foolhardy enough to claim that a single gene can make a person homosexual. But they think their studies may yield important new insights into how genetic makeup, through a complex series of biochemical reactions, influences sexual orientation…”
“A new study has found a correlation between a specific region of the X chromosome and male homosexuality. The finding represents new evidence that sexual orientation may be influenced by heredity”.
To read more at: http://www.skeptictank.org/gaygene.htm
If you can lose your job for you sexual identity then you are NOT protected. If a gay person becomes ill and their spouse can’t see them in the hospital because their “union” is not recognized like a heterosexual couples, they are NOT protected.
But let’s say for the sake of argument that it is a personal choice. Then where does anyone get of telling two grown adults what they can do in a free society? How is it that we can try to make up laws and policies to make homosexuality “illegal”, which is what these policies and laws are doing?
So it’s not about making new laws for gays. It’s about ensuring their rights that some argue they already have under the law.
Some will say they have to accept the consequences for their actions. What are those? And better yet, WHY are there consequences for being who and what you are?
We make laws to protect citizens. So how do these laws and policies protect you and I from people who choose to be gay?
They don't. They are just modern day policies and laws put forth to try and discriminate against one segment of our society because we are not comfortable with their so called choice.
All this leads me to recall the words of Dr. King:
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963
Thursday, January 28, 2010
CONTINUING THE CHANGE – VOTE IN 2010!!
In 2008, we witnessed the election of the first African American president - Barrack Obama. It was an event that many thought they would not see in their life time. And it is widely known that the African American community, as well as young voters, played a major role in his success. We all voted in record numbers. So when Barrack Obama won, we cheered, we cried, and we rejoiced at this historical and inspiring event. We bought the t-shirts, coffee mugs, and posters. But our support is needed more than ever.
This past year, we have witnessed, a relentless attack on the President and his policies. The attack has been strong from both the far left as well as the far right. If anyone was paying attention they would not be surprised by the venomous attacks we saw this past year on the Presidents and his policies. We witnessed the “Birthers” forging fake birth certificates in an attempt to show he was not a “legitimate” president. We saw the angry attacks on members of his party in town hall meetings over the Health Care bill. We heard outlandish claims about “death panels” being a part the Health Care plan being proposed by Congress. And you may even recall how many in the opposing party “cheered” when the President “failed” in an attempt to bring the next Olympics to the US.
The right has made it very clear that they will oppose ANY policies that this President tries to put forth. Their only goal is to see him fail regardless of if it helps the country or not.
The left has also shown a level of impatient and/or naivet̩ that is shocking. The left wants him to complete a laundry list of change that no one could do Рat least not correctly and responsibly Рin their FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE!
They expected President Obama, in his first year to:
· Process all detainees in Gitmo and close it
· Restore America’s image in the world
· Continue to deal with the real threats our nations faces from terrorism.
· Responsibly end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and bring all the troops home,
· Deal with the very real threats from Iran and North Korea
· Implement real change like Health Care - over night.
· End all wasteful government spending
· Change social policy like gays in the military and same sex marriage.
And the list goes on. Oh, and let’s not forget that this has to be done while trying to pull the country, not from a recession or depression, but a total economic collapse. After 8 years of Bush polices, we understand people being impatient and that they want change soon but even Obama has stated himself, it will not happen overnight.
The sick part of it is that he and his Administration has made great strides in the right direction on almost all of these goals.
The thing that is upsetting is that that his supporters seem to be sitting on the sidelines. For example, where were the supporters of Health Care this past year “screaming” as loudly as those who oppose it?
So what is needed more than ever is our continued strong support for the vision and change that President Obama is working towards. This year’s mid-term elections will be extremely important to the Obama Administration. It is clear that the right seeks to gain power in Congress, during this year’s mid-term, so that they will be able to hinder ANY change the President and Congress will attempt.
The word and belief is that African Americans and young voters only voted for Obama because he was African American. They do not believe we support him and his vision for the country. They are hoping that we will not come out as strong as we did during the 2008 election. I believe it is imperative that we prove them wrong this year.
I do believe this country will prosper under Obama if his goals can be realized. So I hope and pray that you will pass this message on to as many friends and family as you can and ask them to get out this year and show their support. Get out and be involved just as much as they did in 2008. And if they weren’t involved or didn’t vote in 2008 then they need to this year.
In 2008, we witnessed the election of the first African American president - Barrack Obama. It was an event that many thought they would not see in their life time. And it is widely known that the African American community, as well as young voters, played a major role in his success. We all voted in record numbers. So when Barrack Obama won, we cheered, we cried, and we rejoiced at this historical and inspiring event. We bought the t-shirts, coffee mugs, and posters. But our support is needed more than ever.
This past year, we have witnessed, a relentless attack on the President and his policies. The attack has been strong from both the far left as well as the far right. If anyone was paying attention they would not be surprised by the venomous attacks we saw this past year on the Presidents and his policies. We witnessed the “Birthers” forging fake birth certificates in an attempt to show he was not a “legitimate” president. We saw the angry attacks on members of his party in town hall meetings over the Health Care bill. We heard outlandish claims about “death panels” being a part the Health Care plan being proposed by Congress. And you may even recall how many in the opposing party “cheered” when the President “failed” in an attempt to bring the next Olympics to the US.
The right has made it very clear that they will oppose ANY policies that this President tries to put forth. Their only goal is to see him fail regardless of if it helps the country or not.
The left has also shown a level of impatient and/or naivet̩ that is shocking. The left wants him to complete a laundry list of change that no one could do Рat least not correctly and responsibly Рin their FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE!
They expected President Obama, in his first year to:
· Process all detainees in Gitmo and close it
· Restore America’s image in the world
· Continue to deal with the real threats our nations faces from terrorism.
· Responsibly end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and bring all the troops home,
· Deal with the very real threats from Iran and North Korea
· Implement real change like Health Care - over night.
· End all wasteful government spending
· Change social policy like gays in the military and same sex marriage.
And the list goes on. Oh, and let’s not forget that this has to be done while trying to pull the country, not from a recession or depression, but a total economic collapse. After 8 years of Bush polices, we understand people being impatient and that they want change soon but even Obama has stated himself, it will not happen overnight.
The sick part of it is that he and his Administration has made great strides in the right direction on almost all of these goals.
The thing that is upsetting is that that his supporters seem to be sitting on the sidelines. For example, where were the supporters of Health Care this past year “screaming” as loudly as those who oppose it?
So what is needed more than ever is our continued strong support for the vision and change that President Obama is working towards. This year’s mid-term elections will be extremely important to the Obama Administration. It is clear that the right seeks to gain power in Congress, during this year’s mid-term, so that they will be able to hinder ANY change the President and Congress will attempt.
The word and belief is that African Americans and young voters only voted for Obama because he was African American. They do not believe we support him and his vision for the country. They are hoping that we will not come out as strong as we did during the 2008 election. I believe it is imperative that we prove them wrong this year.
I do believe this country will prosper under Obama if his goals can be realized. So I hope and pray that you will pass this message on to as many friends and family as you can and ask them to get out this year and show their support. Get out and be involved just as much as they did in 2008. And if they weren’t involved or didn’t vote in 2008 then they need to this year.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Old Wine In New Bottles
The Republican party has a cancer – the White Supremacy Movement.
It started with David Duke and then came Rush Limbaugh (who runs the party because he speaks to their base – white racist America).
They had to “clean up” the rhetoric from the same old same old. Standing on corners in SS Uniforms handing out racist literature wasn’t getting them the power they wanted. It is a case of “old wine in new bottles”. Rush stirred up the base and got them back in power. That is why they kiss his ass.
And now that they have their own media outlets – Internet Blogs, Talk Radio, and Fox News, they have a voice that has been denied in the mainstream “Liberal” media for years.
As you see they will say and do ANYTHING, including tearing the country apart before they lose control the power they thought they would never lose again.
Add to that a Nigger in the White House and his appointing of other minorities…and as you see their heads are about to fly right off their bodies.
But just because there are racists people who are against Obama's policies and plans doesn't mean everyone that is agaisnt them is racist.
That is the "trap" the media and Democrates keep falling into - lableling ALL of the protesters as racist or a "mob". There are those that are simply trying to express their concerns and fears about the administrations plans and agenda, whatever they believe that to be.
The mainstream media and the Obama administration need to wise up and fast.
But my fear is it is going to get even uglier over the next 4 years. I pray that I am wrong.
The Republican party has a cancer – the White Supremacy Movement.
It started with David Duke and then came Rush Limbaugh (who runs the party because he speaks to their base – white racist America).
They had to “clean up” the rhetoric from the same old same old. Standing on corners in SS Uniforms handing out racist literature wasn’t getting them the power they wanted. It is a case of “old wine in new bottles”. Rush stirred up the base and got them back in power. That is why they kiss his ass.
And now that they have their own media outlets – Internet Blogs, Talk Radio, and Fox News, they have a voice that has been denied in the mainstream “Liberal” media for years.
As you see they will say and do ANYTHING, including tearing the country apart before they lose control the power they thought they would never lose again.
Add to that a Nigger in the White House and his appointing of other minorities…and as you see their heads are about to fly right off their bodies.
But just because there are racists people who are against Obama's policies and plans doesn't mean everyone that is agaisnt them is racist.
That is the "trap" the media and Democrates keep falling into - lableling ALL of the protesters as racist or a "mob". There are those that are simply trying to express their concerns and fears about the administrations plans and agenda, whatever they believe that to be.
The mainstream media and the Obama administration need to wise up and fast.
But my fear is it is going to get even uglier over the next 4 years. I pray that I am wrong.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Obama Phenomena
What is it about Senator Obama?
Barak Obama seems to have come out of nowhere. He is a child of interracial parents, a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, and was sworn in as a senator on January 4, 2005.
He’s had a lustrous political carrier but has been, at least to most Americans, an unknown player until now. But how has he come from public political obscurity to being a serious contender for the most powerful political office in this country and for that matter the world?
Going back, if you had told most Americans that a Black man named Barak Obama would be a serious hopeful candidate for President of the United States they would have looked at you as if you had two heads. Not merely for the fact that he is Black but also an unknown unlike Colin Powel who many people, white and black, thought could have been the first black President.
Barak Obama’s rise is a matter of timing.
It is a culmination of the past years of political turmoil – the constant scandal, the 2000 elections, the War in Iraq, the rise in Oil prices, and the list goes on. His campaign slogan sums up what this is all about – CHANGE!
The American people want a change. They are tired of the same old same old. Many don’t believe that the change needed can be done with the same folks doing things the same way. And that is what Barak is promising.
But what still has to be considered is that he is still a politician. So will or can he deliver on these promises? If elected, he will inherit a huge mess.
I for one believe he can help clean things up.
What is it about Senator Obama?
Barak Obama seems to have come out of nowhere. He is a child of interracial parents, a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School, and was sworn in as a senator on January 4, 2005.
He’s had a lustrous political carrier but has been, at least to most Americans, an unknown player until now. But how has he come from public political obscurity to being a serious contender for the most powerful political office in this country and for that matter the world?
Going back, if you had told most Americans that a Black man named Barak Obama would be a serious hopeful candidate for President of the United States they would have looked at you as if you had two heads. Not merely for the fact that he is Black but also an unknown unlike Colin Powel who many people, white and black, thought could have been the first black President.
Barak Obama’s rise is a matter of timing.
It is a culmination of the past years of political turmoil – the constant scandal, the 2000 elections, the War in Iraq, the rise in Oil prices, and the list goes on. His campaign slogan sums up what this is all about – CHANGE!
The American people want a change. They are tired of the same old same old. Many don’t believe that the change needed can be done with the same folks doing things the same way. And that is what Barak is promising.
But what still has to be considered is that he is still a politician. So will or can he deliver on these promises? If elected, he will inherit a huge mess.
I for one believe he can help clean things up.
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