"Don't ask, don't tell" has been causing quite a stir in the British press lately, with BBC News reporting on a new GAO study that says that the policy is costing the military dearly, in both money and manpower.
But I think the op-ed in this week's issue of The Economist might have gone too far. To wit:
In 2000, when the queen's army jumped out of its closet (so to speak), many senior officers were aghast. Their arguments then were similar to American fears now: sooner or later, showers and bars of soap were mentioned. Four years later, recruitment has not suffered; most new recruits are unfazed about meeting gay comrades. And with gays subject to the same rules governing appropriate behaviour as heterosexuals, the showers need hold no fears for happily-married men. Come on, Rummy, what are you afraid of?
(Emphases added.) Yes, that's right, they went there (the showers), even though no one asked them to. Though I doubt it'll persuade many of these "happily-married men," I appreciate the sentiment. All I'm saying is, wasn't there some way to discuss this without pandering to the stereotypes...and bad taste?!
(Related: Schism in the Anglican church over gay bishop)
1 comment:
I think Winston Churchill pegged the irony of the British military's attitude towards homosexuality when he declared the navy as being based on "rum, sodomy and the lash".
Post a Comment