OPINION:
Politicians supporting repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) rely for justification on a single number contrived by the Department of Defense (DOD). This military survey, which proclaimed 70 percent see positive or no effect for repealing DADT, replaces national defense with social alchemy as the armed forces’ primary mission.
DOD followed traditional practices for attaining its desired, if inaccurate, results. The poll was conducted after a partisan panel had already recommended repeal of DADT. Therefore, only 29 percent responded to the poll by completing half or more of the questions, under the assumption that the outcome had been predetermined. DOD contacted equal numbers of reserve and active troops and their spouses, but only 20 percent to 30 percent had a military specialty that could place them in harm’s way. Also, nearly one- third had never deployed. Supposedly, all these responses provided valid information, even though many had never experienced combat.
The military’s core consists of Marine and Army combat infantrymen. DOD accomplishes nothing of lasting significance until infantrymen walk the ground formerly held by an enemy, and well over half of those trigger-pullers oppose repeal. Only they understand the totalitarian leadership and obedience demanded by chaotic and dangerous environments and the real impact that repeal of DADT would have.
NOLAN NELSON
Eugene, Ore.
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