From the Washington Post:
A Pentagon study group has concluded that the military can lift the ban on gays serving openly in uniform with only minimal and isolated incidents of risk to the current war efforts, according to two people familiar with a draft of the report, which is due to President Obama on Dec. 1.
More than 70 percent of respondents to a survey sent to active-duty and reserve troops over the summer said the effect of repealing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy would be positive, mixed or nonexistent, said two sources familiar with the document. The survey results led the report’s authors to conclude that objections to openly gay colleagues would drop once troops were able to live and serve alongside them.
Mr. President? Congress? Courts? Anyone?
If this ban is finally lifted soon, the United States will be the 26th major military power to do so. Our allies did this years ago, including Israel (nearly 20 years ago!). No one can seriously challenge their military prowess. None of these countries reported any problems with the move.
That we are so far behind on this, the chief champions of human rights for so many years, attests to the enormous fear certain groups have been able to instill for nothing more than the extension of their own petty prejudices.
Please America, stop being afraid.
Case in point:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r7RUe6ro4Y
“fairness and equality, those are ok to talk about in the abstract… but this is real life here”
Edit: added video (Hat Tip: Towle)