Don’t Ask. Don’t Tell. Don’t Think.

“Why can't they have gay people in the army? Personally, I think they are just afraid of a thousand guys with M16s going, "Who'd you call a faggot?"”
John Stewart

This subject, mercifully absent for a while, seems to be popping up once again. Now, personally, I couldn't care less if there are homosexuals in the military or if there aren't or what the policy might be regarding revealing sexual preferences and so on. If pressed on the subject, I suppose my position might be "Let the Generals decide. The military is not about fairness or political correctness. It's about having mean sonsofbitches ready to defend your country." But, of course, I haven't been asked.

So, if I don't care about the policy why would I want to write about it. Well, because it is yet another illustration of how people in the media so frequently miss significant points (in my view) in so many stories. Whenever the issue is discussed all manner of question and point and counterpoint are raised. However, I have yet to hear one thing mentioned. That is, the question of exposure to potentially sexually arousing people.

There are females in the military. Do they share showers with males soldiers? Sleeping quarters? Toilets? Of course not. Naked women amongst 18 year old macho guys is a recipe for disaster - or mega-fun, depending on your viewpoint. Women are quartered separately and either have separate facilities or make use of shared facilities at different times. But then, in terms of sexual attraction and arousal, is not a naked male the same to a homosexual male as a naked female is to a heterosexual male? If not, what's the difference? Seems to me, if I were a male in the military I'd claim that I was being discriminated against. After all, if homosexual males are allowed to see me and my pals naked in the shower, should I not be able to see my female comrades in arms equally naked?

Silly? Maybe. But if so, please tell me what I am missing. (Please do not answer "A brain". I know that already.)