Gates said soldiers must be shielded from DADT debate

[WillParkinson]

Gates said soldiers must be shielded from DADT debate
By The Associated Press
03.03.2010 9:00am EST

(WASHINGTON) Defense Secretary Robert Gates says a study on allowing gays to serve openly in the military must involve troops without ensnaring them in the political debate.

In a memo outlining the parameters of the upcoming study, Gates says that “given the political dimension of this issue” that it is important to, in his words, “shield our men and women in uniform and their families from those aspects of this debate.”

The internal assessment is the first of its kind since 1993, when Congress passed a law banning gay service members from acknowledging that they are gay and the Pentagon adopted its “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy based on that law.

Gates says he wants to ensure changes in the policy won’t hurt military effectiveness.

http://www.365gay.com/news/gates-said-soldiers-must-be-shielded-from-dadt-debate/

[Zenlitened]

1. I think all these go-slow, it's-so-scary types are slandering U.S. armed forces, in a way.

Yeah, there are neandertals in the ranks.

But I think, by far, most men and women in uniform are ready, willing and able to take the change perfectly in stride. They are there to Get The Job Done. That's what they do.

To suggest that they're all going to fall to pieces all of a sudden... well, that's a put-down, really. And totally undeserved.

[sui generis]

2. nothing's ever stopped them before now

I supposed he is referring to the straight service members. Clearly. Who must be shielded.

Or maybe the social conservatives? Or maybe just the male military. who knows.

jeepers.

[Toasterlad]

3. Any Soldier Too Fragile To Deal With This Issue Should Not Be In the Armed Forces

Seriously, do these guys get how stupid they sound?