Why 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' really shouldn't be a big deal

I got off work tonight and came to my room to sit down and maybe watch an episode or two of the Office online. But while I was perusing twitter, I stumbled upon a link to a blog belonging to a classmate and coworker. She, Jessie Opoien, is a fantastic writer and journalist, so even though she's a Rachel Maddow fan (I won't hold it against her), I clicked on the link and read it.

Now, I usually don't go anywhere near political subjects with a ten-foot pole when I'm writing, but what she wrote got me thinking about Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Homosexuality is still a taboo in our country, so any time it's brought up, someone, somewhere is going to have a (loud) opinion about it. But I ask this of those who argue for and against this policy: Why does it matter either way? What in the world does sexual orientation have to do with serving one's country? Gay, straight, or otherwise, if a man or woman chooses to serve, he or she should be able to do so without having to worry about keeping or disclosing any secrets about their personal lives. They should only have to worry about the task at hand.

I mean, would the Army treat you any different if you're gay? Would they feed you less? Clothe you differently?

If two men are in a foxhole together, fighting for their lives, do you honestly think they're thinking 'Gee, I wonder he's going to make a move on me?' C'mon.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell is simply a way for the Armed Forces to cover their ass. Just like in the business world, if a person is asked in an interview for a job what their sexual orientation is, they likely will get offended, and wonder what that has to do with the job they're applying for.

Whether or not you agree or disagree with how someone chooses to live their life, ultimately it's not your life, so you can't do shit about it. No one person has the right to tell another how to live their life. Sharing one's beliefs, and advocating those beliefs are different entirely from judging someone and telling them what to do.

So, abolish or keep Don't Ask, Don't Tell. It makes no difference. Because at the end of the day, we're all on the same team, are we not? Right or wrong we're all in the war together, so we might as well focus our energy on ending the war rather than creating one amongst ourselves.