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Mending the military

The number of estimated gay troops in the United States armed forces is 65,000. The optimal number of openly gay troops under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy is 0. The law gives the military the right to send troops home who are being too open about their homosexuality, which ranges from just being out of the closet to giving national TV interviews about being a gay man in the military. Regardless, this policy seems very outdated and even wrong. America prides itself on nationality. The military is perhaps as eclectic and diverse as the country itself. We are constantly honoring our soldiers who defend our American ideals of liberty, democracy, and tolerance. Yet this directive still exists. Last month, President Barack Obama spoke at a gay rights rally and further stressed his desire to end "don't ask, don't tell." He was unable to give a timeline for this goal, but the time should be now. "Don't ask don't tell" is causing a rift between America and its gay community.

The American government has a sordid history of having second-class citizens. History is meant to be learned from - not necessarily repeated. This policy, among others, is subjecting gays to second-class citizenship. Willing, smart, and talented individuals are denied the right to serve their own country if they are openly gay. If closeted gays can serve, why kick them out when they become open about it? If the military is saying this kind of policy is acceptable, American citizens may feel more justified in treating gays as second-class citizens. It is hard to be happy and live the life you want when hiding from the world. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are thrown out the window for gays in the military. DADT either closets gays or stops them from fighting for America. Either is harmful to a nation that values freedom.

Discrimination is bad enough, but the policy is hurting America financially as well. The military must find replacements for the soldiers that they are removing. American citizens are funding the pitfalls of this policy. More appalling, gay American citizens have to fund this cost through taxes - they too are responsible for paying for the replacements. A government report into DADT shows that it has cost $200 million to continue this injustice, according to CNN's Pelin Sidki. Undoubtedly, this money could be better spent. The military removes willing gay soldiers who are oftentimes brilliant. These gay soldiers have a lot to offer to legitimately help our troops and America. A price can't be put on some of these soldiers' worth. Completely ignoring their military skills turns sexuality into their most important personal attributes. They are willing to sacrifice their lives for us which is so much more important than who they love.

Republicans and Democrats go toe-to-toe about the war, the economy, and even gay rights. A Washington Post-ABC News poll showed that 75 percent of participants believed that openly gay people should be allowed to serve in the military. Roughly 64 percent of those Republicans polled agreed. There aren't too many ideals that both parties agree on, but the majority of both sides think that this policy is outdated. The large consensus should show President Obama just how important it is to remove "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" once and for all.

American troops continuously risk their lives to protect this country. Everyone who is willing to make this sacrifice should be revered. The military is depleted and removing gay people isn't going to help. The United States is currently active in two wars and could use all willing help. Making gay soldiers feel they need to hide their sexuality is not a value that America should represent. Discrimination in the military won't help unify this nation. The military justifies this act because DADT is a law that protects them. Once the law is removed, military officials will be more willing to stop discriminating. "Don't ask don't tell" shouldn't be on the back burner.

We fight wars against countries and factions who threaten freedom and democracy, yet most gays in our own country are unable to live as first-class citizens. Considering the large number of people ready to throw this policy out the window, it is past time for DADT to go.

Tiffany Morris' columns appear Monday in The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at t.morris@cavalierdaily.com.

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