The following is definitely in the “man bites dog” department.
Deroy Murdock, a writer at the conservative National Review, wrote an op-ed calling for the retirement of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” regarding gay Americans serving in the military. Murdock notes the irony of the Army lowering its standards to allow convicted thieves, child molesters and murderers, while axing several linguists who happen to be gay.
Murdock notes that times have changed, and people are more willing to work with a gay comrade:
Since 1994, attitudes have changed. A December 18, 2006 Zogby poll of 545 GIs who served in Iraq and Afghanistan found that 73 percent considered themselves comfortable among gays. Also, 23 percent said they knew gay people in their units, while 45 percent believed they did. So, 68 percent of GIs confirmed or imagined that they worked with gay colleagues, with no evident clamor for their ejection. If there is a gay-fueled crisis in unit morale and cohesion, it appears to have gone undetected.
What is interesting about this is where it comes from. A conservative is asking for DADT to be abolished. I think that’s a big step.
One would hope John McCain is listening. If someone writing for the leading conservative magazine can support the downfall of a bad policy, then maybe a Republican candidate for president can consider dropping his support for something that is a relic.
One can hope.
Thanks to Boi from Troy for the hat tip.