Support Don't Ask, Don't Tell

     In Girl From The North Country's blog entry, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", she speaks for the gay and lesbian soldiers within the military.  The issue of a soldier's sexual orientation has been a pressing issue for our military for almost 20 years now. In her blog entry, she states that our military passed a law in 1993 forbidding openly gay men and women from serving in our military. Her entire blog entry is dedicated to broadening the reader's views on this topic and stating the facts on "don't ask, don't tell."
     Throughout her blog entry, she talks about the debates between the Republicans and Democrats.  She states that it's an ongoing battle between the two and that our country is looking for more support from the Republicans.  Supposedly the Republicans aren't going to show much support for the bill until tax cuts are extended. Instead of focusing on people's rights for the benefit of our country, the government is more focused on their agendas.  In one paragraph she talks about the Chiefs of Staff's plan for an eventual repeal, but their fear of change is holding them back.  I know that change is hard to cope with, but if a person wants to server our country, they should be able to. A person's sexual orientation doesn't affect the skills they're able to learn or their ability to fight.  Our countries ignorance may be affecting the outcome of our war. If all men and women were to have the ability to serve our country, we may see a change in our war.
     I agree with everything stated in this blog entry. She stated facts and gave personal experiences from her time in the military. Her opinions lean towards the incorporation of gays and straights in the military.  People stereotype gay people into the same category, but everyone is their own person.  Not everyone is the same.   I agree with her when she states that incorporating gays into the military may disrupt war time efforts. It would be something new that most soldier would have to get use to.  The gay lifestyle is something most people haven't been exposed to. Just like she said, "...we don't know, until we try."

Not Our National Security

     The 111th United States Congress is coming to an end at the end of this year.  Our new 112th United States Congress will be meeting in January of 2011.  Congress has overcome many issues and has informed us about what occurs behind closed doors. Although they have been adamant in dealing with pressing issues, they have failed to make improvements to our national security.  They failed to provide funding for the U.S. Agency for National Development and the State Department. Their inability to support these organizations has affected job opportunities for the public and the creation of new programs. Our overseas relations with other countries has also been affected with Congress' tactics. Senate has held nominee's positions for our national security hostage, which has left us with little representation overseas. Their lack of interest in our national security has also left us with little political representation within the states. Their performance in national security has been declining over the past 30 years due to our country's diverse political background and globalization. Congress cannot stop globalization or impose a particular political ideology on a person, because ideas change.  The work week our lawmakers undertake is not enough time to allow them to contemplate on issues our country is facing. Instead of them working three days a week, they should be forced to work five days.  If they have more time to think about issues our country is facing, then it would benefit us.  Many lawmakers within Congress sit on different committees which affects the amount of time they can spend on different issues. If they were limited to a certain number of committees they can sit on, our national security may improve. The relationship that Congress and our executive branch share needs to improve. If the two were to consult each other regularly on stagnant issues, progression can finally be made.
     Is there anything Americans can do to help Congress contribute to our national security?  The answer is yes.  If Americans were to come together to write letters to Congress about the issues affecting our country, they may take into consideration what needs to be done.  Society as a whole needs to become more involved in our government because the policies made by officials affects our life everyday.  Our world is ever-changing and our government needs to constantly make changes to fit our lifestyles.  Congress should really focus on what would benefit our country, instead of doing what they feel is best for themselves.  Once Congress transforms their behavior in reforming our country, our national security will be much stronger than before.