O'Reilly on Don't Ask Don't Tell: "It's not about anti-gay. It's about being comfortable in the barracks"
January 28, 2010 9:23 pm ET
From the January 28 edition of Fox News The O'Reilly Factor:
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Please Bill - you basically defined homophobia in your response. It is anti-gay to say "dont ask dont tell." Its antiquated. That was fine in the 1990's but things change. People grow up and learn they are being immoral pr1cks or at least those with a conscience do.
Also, given how many gay people are in the military already it is somewhat of a joke to not just move past it. What is amusing to me is how no one seems to notice, I guess it is because the average American does not see the military often, at least not close up.
Yes. They're supposed to follow orders, even ones they don't agree with. That's part of being a disciplined soldier.
O'Reilly says it's about "being comfortable in the barracks." If O'Reilly is truly concerned about the comfort of soldiers in barracks, true integration is the best and quickest way to ease the discomfort some soldiers have with serving alongside gays and lesbians, because not much else will.
O'Reilly says it's about "being comfortable in the barracks." If O'Reilly is truly concerned about the comfort of soldiers in barracks, true integration is the best and quickest way to ease the discomfort some soldiers have with serving alongside gays and lesbians, because not much else will.
Why? Should we also let troops decide by majority vote whether or not Muslims can serve?
I appreciate that you honestly think that this should be left up to the troops as a whole, but I'd really like to know how you reached that conclusion.
I for one have never understood how anyone can reasonably argue that civil rights should be subject to majority rule, in civilian life or the army.
For Mr. O'Reilly, I would say this:
Bill, the military's harassment policy is different than Fox News - the military has a zero-tolerance policy, and, unlike Fox, they mean business. They will not pay hush-money to the victim to sweep the incident under-the-rug.
Fortunately for the human race, each new generation is generally more tolerant and less bigoted than the last, and, as Mr. O'Reilly's generation dies out we will get closer to "One Nation, (under God) Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All."
That is, he has probably asked "are you comfortable in the barracks ?" more than once in his life, as he maneuvered his over-the-nuts-quonset-hut.
Oh yeah, and Failliberal completely failed at his attempt at an equivalency, as usual..
Bill, you can always ask your partner to switch positions...or get a firmer mattress.
Also, repealing DADT alone won't end discrimination in the military. They'll just be a lot more sneakier and quieter about it.
We're going to do what we do with any soldier today - give them an assignment and expect them to perform.
Gays have ALWAYS been in the military, but some people are in denial that gays have ever been in the military.
You can make that argument about any rule or law.
You could ban homosexuals from military service completely and some soldiers would still be questioning one another's sexuality and feeling uncomfortable with some soldiers in close quarters. Keeping homosexuality out of the military, or any profession for that matter, isn't just an attack on civil rights: it's impossible.
As for what "to do" with homosexuals in the military, I think you've misidentified the problem. If you've ever played a sport or worked out at a gym, chances are you undressed in a locker room or took a shower with someone who was gay or bisexual and never gave you a reason to suspect a thing. The problem isn't the sexual identity or attractions of soldiers, but concerns about harassment.
Correction with respect:
"I'm not anti-gay or anything,"
"it's just that every man in the world is a potential rapist."
Race, Homosexuality, and gender in general has been a problem in this world since the establishment of the Human Race. Such a shame that this world can not progress without a small elite oppressing the majority because of who they are. Wonen has fought for rights, and STILL are. Minority races have fought for rights and STILL are. Now Homosexuals are fighting for rights. The continued oppression around the world sickens me to think that one is greater then the other. Bill'O's mind is very dense on the subject of oppression alone.
You don't like serving with gay people? Don't serve. We don't need more homophobes in this country.
Can you imagine Israel doing that?
Correct me if I am wrong. I trust many will... I shall learn from you!
It is my understanding that from basic training to Deployment. A soldier is trained to watch the Back of his fellow soldiers.....The soldier is encouraged to develope a bond with his fellow soldier.... A soldier is better fighter knowing those around him will give their all to Protect each other!
In a word to LOVE his fellow soldier is fostered.
When are you GAY ?
1. to love someone of the same sex?
2. to love someone of the same sex and also engage in sex?
I will my return my SoapBox back to supporting my dictum.
Bill---what then is the problem in the a Gay in the Barracks?
What that means is that only homophobes are going to be uncomfortable in a barracks with gays, and the problem there are the homophobes, NOT the gays. If we need to restrict enlistment, let's get rid of the homophobes, racists, and other bigots.
I have to disagree with you on this post. Being a homophobe, racists and other bigots is not grounds to restrict enlisthments, because these are beliefs and the military does not seek to restrict the beliefs of its members. It is expressing these beliefs and acting on these beliefs that causes someone in the military to violate the UCMJ.
Barry Goldwater: Interview, Washington Post (28 July, 1994)
Also why I have about 5 books by/about him.
I am quite liberal
I am not gay
First off...the barracks is a series of rooms in a building. Almost like an apartment. While there are bays in Basic Training with 60 beds in them, the last thing you are worried about is if the guy next to you is gay.
Secondly...in my humble opinion. Most of the military is conservative. Mainly because more and more soldiers are from red states and more and more soldiers have parents who were conservative. Not all soldiers....but most. This is why this is an issue. Closed-minded people do not like this idea. Conservatives as we know are closed-minded.
Finally...If they repeal DADT it wouldn't be a HUGE issue. Because when it comes down to it, it's the guys on the left and right of you that you need to trust. BUT...THERE WOULD BE INCIDENTS. IT'S THE WAY THE WORLD WORKS. IT'S THE WAY IT'S ALWAYS BEEN AND PROBABLY THE WAY IT ALWAYS WILL BE.