Don't Ask, Don't Tell: BS

Daren Manzella was discharged under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. He began having a relationship with a man and was then harassed anonymously by emails and phone calls. The didn't stop so he decided that he should seek advice from his military supervisor. The next day he was under investigation of breaking the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. The investigation was closed and Manzella was let back into his unit.

He was able to enjoy talking about his relation, call his boyfriend, and not fear repercussions that a heterosexual man wouldn't have to think once about. The "don't ask, don't tell" policy says that being openly gay will hinder the performance of a unit, but this unit was pulled closer together. "It made me feel like I was more a part of the family"--Manzella. Later he went to talk about his story to spread it around, but was then later honorably discharged; his discharge papers read "homosexual conduct admission."

The "don't ask, don't tell" policy also costs money. Since this policy has come into law the military has discharged 13000 gays, lesbians, bisexuals. 800 of those discharged had a 'critical' skill that cost the military $200 million in the retraining and rehiring of these discharged people.

Why should a man be punished for serving in the military based on sexuality? Will he not get the job done just as well as a straight man? It would be easier to handle the tough conditions of war if you were able to lament about a oversea lover. While the other men talk about their girls back home or girls about their men, you are not allowed to talk of such things. This policy is promoting discrimination against the homosexual community. "We should be celebrating their willingness to step forward and show such courage ... especially when we are fighting two wars."--Obama.

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