The United States Army
If there's one thing the United States Army has too many of right now it's Arabic language specialists. And it's not like that language is important or anything in today's world. Besides, even if Arabic was important, surely the need to root out homos from the ranks trumps national security interests.
Sadly, it does.
On July 27, the Associated Press reported that the Army had booted out Bleu Copas, a decorated sergeant and Arabic language specialist under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." For those who need a refresher on the anti-gay policy, it goes like this: the Army doesn't ask if you're gay, you don't tell them you're gay, and you get to stay in the Army. If you stay in the closet, everyone's happy – well, except you, but hey, there's no "I" in Army. There is an "I" in idiotic, which the enforcement – let alone the existence – of DADT is.
In the case of Bleu Copas, who said he enlisted out of a post-Sept. 11 sense of duty to his country, he never told. But a little birdie did via some e-mails to his superiors, who came out and asked him if he was a gay. He refused to answer.
They also asked him questions like, "Are you involved in community theater?" I kid you not. But then, you can't really blame them. I mean, the last thing you want is some guy on the front lines acting all cocky because he had a bit part in the Sonoma County Repertory Theater production of "Hamlet."
Instead of lying about his sexuality, Copas took an honorable discharge. His discharge papers include his awards and citations but also say why he was dismissed: for being a big old homo. Copas plans to appeal to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records, but considering the military's anti-gay history he shouldn't hold his breath.
According to the Associated Press, more than 11,000 service members have been kicked out under DADT. Last year the magic number was 726, an 11-percent jump from 2004. Discharging and replacing gay soldiers, may of whom filled critical ability gaps like Copas, has cost the Pentagon nearly $369 million, according to the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military at the University of California, Santa Barbara. After all, training military personnel isn't free and it isn't cheap.
"'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' has become a far too effective, and convenient, weapon of vengeance in our armed forces," said Sharra E. Greer, director for law and policy for SLDN. "Anyone with an axe to grind – a former partner or roommate, or an angry relative, for example – can end an otherwise promising career simply by employing rumor and hearsay."
"The ban on gay service members serves no purpose except to further discrimination at the expense of our military readiness," Copas said. "Most troops care about their colleagues' job performance, not their sexual orientation, and this law is past due for repeal. Those of us who want to serve our country should not be barred from doing so simply because of outdated prejudice. The gay ban punishes every service member, even those who never tell and the straight troops who lose trusted, and trained, fellow soldiers."
In terms of the global "war on terror," would you bet on a country whose military cares more about battling homosexuals than terrorists? These are your tax dollars at work, folks.
