Dumb Laws
Dumb Laws
Brian Lynch
Every country has laws. Ever since the beginning of time, laws have been put into effect mainly to keep order. They ensure the safety of the land and those who inhabit it. Without theses normal, everyday laws people would just be allowed to run amuck, doing as they please. Unfortunately, as good as most laws are in keeping the country safe, there are still plenty of outlandish laws. Some are just stupid laws, which nobody really knows the point of. For instance, in California, it is actually illegal to ride your bicycle in a swimming pool. These are usually just stupid little facts that people like to joke around about. Some, on the other hand, are laws that violate a man’s human rights. These laws were not put into place to intentionally restrict human rights, but some way or another has come to affect them. One law is that is a prime example of this violating is not actually a citizen law, but somewhat of a military precaution. I am talking about the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy. I feel as if this law is a direct human rights violation and needs to become void.
In case you do not know, the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy” is a U.S. military regulation that states that any person who demonstrates homosexuality or any type of homosexual act will not be allowed to serve in the military. They claim that open homosexuality will “create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and
unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability." In short, they don’t want homosexuals to openly display their sexuality because it will make our military look weak and unstable. Put into action in 1993 by former President Bill Clinton, the act was originally put into effect so that all men and woman, regardless of sexuality, could serve their country in the military. Before this law was thought up, no homosexuals were allowed to serve. On the surface, this may look like a good thing, giving everyone the equal
Brian Lynch
Every country has laws. Ever since the beginning of time, laws have been put into effect mainly to keep order. They ensure the safety of the land and those who inhabit it. Without theses normal, everyday laws people would just be allowed to run amuck, doing as they please. Unfortunately, as good as most laws are in keeping the country safe, there are still plenty of outlandish laws. Some are just stupid laws, which nobody really knows the point of. For instance, in California, it is actually illegal to ride your bicycle in a swimming pool. These are usually just stupid little facts that people like to joke around about. Some, on the other hand, are laws that violate a man’s human rights. These laws were not put into place to intentionally restrict human rights, but some way or another has come to affect them. One law is that is a prime example of this violating is not actually a citizen law, but somewhat of a military precaution. I am talking about the “don’t ask don’t tell” policy. I feel as if this law is a direct human rights violation and needs to become void.
In case you do not know, the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy” is a U.S. military regulation that states that any person who demonstrates homosexuality or any type of homosexual act will not be allowed to serve in the military. They claim that open homosexuality will “create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and
unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability." In short, they don’t want homosexuals to openly display their sexuality because it will make our military look weak and unstable. Put into action in 1993 by former President Bill Clinton, the act was originally put into effect so that all men and woman, regardless of sexuality, could serve their country in the military. Before this law was thought up, no homosexuals were allowed to serve. On the surface, this may look like a good thing, giving everyone the equal
Cited: 1994, By. "U.S. Public: Repeal "Don 't Ask, Don 't Tell"" Palm Center. Web. 01 Nov. 2010. <http://www.palmcenter.org/blog/us_public_repeal_dont_ask_dont_tell>. Response to Professor Tobias Wolff." Palm Center. Web. 01 Nov. 2010. <http://www.palmcenter.org/press/dadt/releases/palm_center_response_professor_tobias_wolff>. * Belkin, Aaron (2008). " 'Don 't Ask, Don 't Tell ': Does the Gay Ban Undermine the Military 's Reputation?" Armed Forces & Society, Jan 2008; vol. 34: pp. 276–291 "The Right to Fight — Armed Forces & Society." Armed Forces & Society. Web. 01 Nov. 2010. <http://afs.sagepub.com/content/33/2/186.abstract>.