There were 7,340 words in President Obama’s State of the Union address last Wednesday–but Congress is only fixating on 32 of them. In eight days, one simple sentence has hurled all of Congress’s legitimate business overboard and thrown a country desperate for jobs and tax relief into a fiery–and unnecessary–debate over homosexuality. Despite all of the hot issues on Capitol Hill, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” somehow shoved its way to the front of the line, generating two hearings faster than most Democrats can say “judicial nominees.”
The Senate’s Armed Services Committee kicked things off on Tuesday with the administration’s pro-repeal reps, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mike Mullen. Yesterday, the duo gave an encore performance to a lukewarm audience for the House committee. On one side, the sponsor of the House bill to overturn “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” iscomplaining that the Pentagon isn’t moving faster. On the other, Representatives like Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) were adamant. “The military is not civilian life,” he said. Its rules don’t exist to satisfy the Left’s notion of “equality” or “freedom of expression.” In the heat of battle, political correctness isn’t a recipe for success–it’s an obstruction to it.
At the very least, Army Secretary John McHugh thinks the military deserves a say. “Before the President or special interests force a change in the policy or law, Congress deserves to see from the services concrete, in-depth evidence that readiness concerns require a change and that such a change would not degrade wartime military readiness in any measurable, significant way.” The House’s ranking Republican, Buck McKeon (Calif.), echoed that concern. Of course, this isn’t a debate most members asked for. It’s yet another example of this President bringing division where there should be cohesion. It’s an indication that our leader is willing to sacrifice real lives for his political one. And it shows a dangerous tendency of this President to push payoffs above priorities. The military is no place to return campaign favors–regardless of your social views.
Former Marine commandant Gen. Carl E. Mundy and 1,160 of his retired flag and general officer colleagues have spoken forcibly against it, while plenty of conservatives sit in the shadows, afraid to take a position. Other groups may be skittish to take on this issue. FRC is not. Every day, American soldiers take fire for us. This is our turn to stand on the front lines for them. To learn more, don’t miss Peter Sprigg’s blog post, “Everything You’ve Heard about ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Is Wrong.”

Marie Woods Comments: I have to put my 2 cents in on this subject. I agree with this article and I’m glad to see that the military isn’t sitting down on this one. At least to a point. The military needs to stand up and speak out about this, LOUD AND CLEAR! The way I see it, homosexuals say they just want to have an opportunity to fight for their country. Well that may be all well and good, if THAT is what they really wanted to do. But, homosexuality is ALL ABOUT SEX! I have heard people say ‘well they just want to be like heterosexuals with a family and a partner only it is of the same sex, that is the only difference.’ Well, I say that is BS! There is nothing NORMAL about homosexuality, and when it really comes down to it, it is all about deviancy of an act that should only be between a man and a woman, PERIOD! Call me old fashioned.
My husband is in Afghanistan fighting for this country, and I’m  damn sure that he doesn’t want to have to worry about another male soldier making a pass at him in the shower or anywhere else! He shouldn’t have to worry about it, he has enough to worry about without being sexually harassed or bothered by a gay soldier! None in our military should be asked to put up with that crap!  Homosexuals can say they are normal just like everyone else  and should be able to be open about their sexuality no matter where they are. I say BS!! Because in my opinion IT IS ALL ABOUT SEX to them, and where they are going to get their next screw! And our soldiers have a job to do, and to a heterosexual it becomes a big unnecessary distraction that they can’t afford. It could get them killed in certain circumstances.  That is just something my husband or any other straight soldier just doesn’t need.   But nobody seems to take that into consideration.
Call me a homophobe all you want cause YES!! I will readily admit it. Homosexuality is just down right WRONG! No matter what! And we who are straight shouldn’t be expected to have their sick lifestyle forced on us and shoved down our throat anywhere! And I’m sick of our leaders cowtowing to the homo’s and letting them do whatever the hell they want to do while everyone else is expected to shut up and go along with it! I say to our leaders, especially the Republicans, grow some balls and stop this nonsense NOW!!!