ACL Live at the Moody Theater
About Time They Repealed DADT
RECEIVED Mon., Dec. 20, 2010
Dear Editor,
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was a particularly deceptive and cruel policy to perpetuate upon the gay men and women serving in the U.S. military between 1993 and 2010.
More sinister than the statement, “By not asking we are leaving you in peace as a respected, appreciated soldier,” DADT said to particular individuals – whose most beneficial significance to their country and themselves would be “to tell,” to live openly and honestly – “You are a shameful creature, your existence is worthless, we will dispose of you when we know who you are.”
John McCain, immediately after the U.S. Senate repealed DADT (65-31), exclaimed there would be extremely dire consequences. And it is a bitter pill for those consumed with hatred to be prohibited from actively exercising retaliation against their targeted group for the crime of existing.
The impact of repealing DADT is scarcely comprehendible. It retroactively exonerates every gay man and woman who served in our country’s armed services since the miraculous Revolutionary War, through those wars of the 20th century, until this very day in the various theatres across the globe, whether or not they survived that service intact or at all. It bestows upon those harassed persons full honor as patriots and unalienable rights as citizens of the United States of America.
My goodness! Is that the fragrance of “Hope and Change” upon the winter wind of history?
This letter took quite a different form than its first draft, in which I took to task the pastor Fred Phelps Sr. However, I realized that Mr. Phelps, protesting military funerals and gay rights, parades with his slogan (and website) “God Hates Fags,” probably did more than any other individual to bring Congress to its senses. So I appreciate his horrendous and constant hostility.
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was a particularly deceptive and cruel policy to perpetuate upon the gay men and women serving in the U.S. military between 1993 and 2010.
More sinister than the statement, “By not asking we are leaving you in peace as a respected, appreciated soldier,” DADT said to particular individuals – whose most beneficial significance to their country and themselves would be “to tell,” to live openly and honestly – “You are a shameful creature, your existence is worthless, we will dispose of you when we know who you are.”
John McCain, immediately after the U.S. Senate repealed DADT (65-31), exclaimed there would be extremely dire consequences. And it is a bitter pill for those consumed with hatred to be prohibited from actively exercising retaliation against their targeted group for the crime of existing.
The impact of repealing DADT is scarcely comprehendible. It retroactively exonerates every gay man and woman who served in our country’s armed services since the miraculous Revolutionary War, through those wars of the 20th century, until this very day in the various theatres across the globe, whether or not they survived that service intact or at all. It bestows upon those harassed persons full honor as patriots and unalienable rights as citizens of the United States of America.
My goodness! Is that the fragrance of “Hope and Change” upon the winter wind of history?
This letter took quite a different form than its first draft, in which I took to task the pastor Fred Phelps Sr. However, I realized that Mr. Phelps, protesting military funerals and gay rights, parades with his slogan (and website) “God Hates Fags,” probably did more than any other individual to bring Congress to its senses. So I appreciate his horrendous and constant hostility.
Sincerely,
Kenney C. Kennedy
Kenney C. Kennedy