I don't usually use this blog or our other blog to talk about politics or - more specifically - gay rights. So, some of you might wonder why it is that I'm now writing (or rather ranting) this blog about my thoughts on the US military's policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. First, if your not familiar with DADT you can read about it HERE. Although DADT is a LGBT issue of equality, as a parent I find it a deplorable policy for another reason. DADT teaches shame... to everyone. I think most parents want their children to grow up being strong, confident people. I think most parents want their children to be individuals, who think for themselves and stand up for what they believe in. So, my dear blog friends, what kind of message does it send to the children of our great country when one of it's largest institutions has a policy that tells people that they have to hide who they are or they will be fired??? Don't be different then the majority - it's bad. Is that really the message we want to send to our children? Don't get me wrong, I know that there are potential challenges (both legal and emotional) with having out men and women serving in our armed forces. But, do we really want to teach our children that instead of excepting people for who they are, we should just tell them to hide their uniqueness so that it doesn't interfere? Should we suggest that when faced with the challenge of integrating "different" people, we shouldn't face that challenge and instead we should just tell them to hide or get out? When the going get's tough, the tough run away?So - call your elected officials! Tell them that as a parent you believe that DADT teaches children that it's okay to be forced into hiding who they are (whatever that may end up being). Tell them that you want your children to be proud of who they are, and that it's not appropriate for our armed services to be setting such a bad example for our future leaders. Tell them to take action now!
Okay - I'm done with my rant. Thanks for reading. :)
~W
Great post. Tax season is upon us as well, another time to lie about our families...ugh!
ReplyDeleteThe same is true of the marriage issue. What does it say to a child when his or her parents are prevented by law from marrying? A marriage between LGBT people no more affects my marriage than a soldier's orientation affects his or his fellow soldier's capability.
ReplyDeleteLis
Beautiful Post...thanks man, very well written...I wish I could have put in words, half as much. Go figure on our State...McCain as our Senator, his wife and daughter as our defenders. Aaargh! THANKS!
ReplyDeleteThat was a great post! I found your blog today while searching for "two papas" because I am trying to spread the word about some fabric I just made, I am a adoptive parent in Seattle and just launched a line of fabric for
ReplyDeletemulti-ethnic, lesbian, gay, and single parent families called "The New American Family Line" you can see it here :
http://www.etsy.com/shop/manoallamano
Great post -- I will continue to harangue my Congressfolks. The never-ending stories. They need to hear from us regularly about these issues, esp. same-sex marriage, although this related issue hurts my soul as well.
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