‘Blah Blah Blah’ Video Blurs the DADT Line Even More Than ‘Telephone’ Did
Now that a group of military bloggers has issued a joint statement calling for an end to “don’t ask, don’t tell”, it looks like a group of troops in Iraq seems determined to force the issue with a video titled “If the Army goes Gay.”
Uploaded just days after the notorious Afghanistan “Telephone” video, the performance of Ke$ha ft. 3OH!3 song “Blah Blah Blah” definitely ups the ante on DADT. Yet in a statement to Gawker.com, video maker Codey Wilson insists that the clip is not “gay” :
“Hey, I never said it was ok to be gay. I also never said it wasn’t ok. I understand you have a web site to run and this could be a real controversial topic by saying that “codey says It’s ok,” but please don’t bring this negativity towards me. I never said it was ok. The beginning of the video is a guy reading the paper in shock that is has finally happened, then the dancing which is an exaggerated view and joke of it. I do understand your job but please please don’t make me look bad. I know this is pathetic but you have no idea what will happen to me by claiming that I support that.”
So what’s the deal here? Is the wholesale adoption of gay signifiers just a way for the troops to let folks back home know they’re ready to let gay men and women serve openly? Is the exaggerated behavior displayed in these videos a kind of uneasy homophobia?
![Der Gro?mufti von Jerusalem [Amin al Husseini] bei den bosnischen Freiwilligen der Waffen-SS. Der Gro?mufti ist auf dem Truppenubungsplatz ein[getroffen] und schreitet die Front der angetretenen Freiwilligen mit erhobenem Arm ab.](http://images-undertheradar.military.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/nazicollaborators300.jpg)
Under the Radar is commentary. We don’t report the news; we offer our take on what happened.
23 Comments
I know Codey and I agree with codey.. Im sure this video was just made for fun and there was no harm intened.. on the other hand it does make all the us soldiers look bad!
I thought it was funny as all get out.…HOWEVER.….if the U.S. Military allows members to serve openly there are going to be waaaaay too many issues to deal with. For example: Gays will have to have separate showers and quarters just like females do now. Think about the money that Uncle Sam (our pockets via taxes) will have to spend for more facilities. There are still a ton of individuals that, as much as they may tell you otherwise, hate the idea of having a “queer” serving beside them. Always worrying about the position they are sitting, standing, in the foxhole or the way they talk because you wonder if this shower scout is checking you out. Leave it as it is. DADT policy should stand for the safety of ALL airmen, soldiers, sailors and Marines.
The Army is all about equal oppurtunity!!! Believe it or not gays can control themselves!!
Do not compare gays to females… There could be a female and male in the same foxhole.. and the female could get a impression that he is checking her out alwell.…. So should females also be not allowed in the army????
Katie,
Your missing the correlation between woman and gay men. It’s not that women shouldn’t serve, it’s that women shouldn’t be in the same showers or restrooms with men. The way a gay man is attracted to other men is the same way a woman is. If gays are allowed to openly express their preference, then you will see open relationships on the battlefield that could compromise the mission. As far as I know, women today are still not allowed in combat roles. This too could compromise a mission if there are relationships on the battlefield.
I think straight men shouldn’t be permitted in the military!
Oh come on now, the bottom line is sexuality people. I could care less who is in a foxhole next to me provided he/she isn’t a **** up that’s going to get me killed. Seriously if you’ve been there when the time comes the persons sexuality (or much anything) isn’t gonna matter… are you trooper skills up to par will.
So since we have the DADT we should abolish all the segregation. The military isn’t about individualism. All should be treated equally (PT and grooming standards as well; male/female… gone only a soldier or a marine or an airmen, etc).
No answer other than people that want to distance themselves from the thought of hey is that person gay… oh no they are against gays in the military they must be straight… hmm hitler ring a bell?
well looks like the army made him take it down…
lighten up. i thought it was funny and well done. i laughed my tush off. i’m going to share this video with my family and feinds.
RUmor has the Army is going to get rid of the DOn’t Ask DOn’t tell policy as a two phase project. Phase One which will begin immediately involves letting all females openly serve as lesbians. Phase Two involves letting males openly serve. Phase two is on hold as of right now.
The video is great! It shows the stupidity of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Does anyone believe that because of the policy, there are no homosexuals in the military? Get a clue.
The idea that separate showers, living quarters, or separate foxholes would be required because of the policy change must not realize they are already comingled. And because someone is gay, does that mean he/she can’t shoot/fight as well as a hetero? or protect your backside from the real enemy?
It’s time to quit treating gays/lesbians as second class citizens with less rights than those who are straight.
Whether the video was created for entertainment or other purposes, it is very well done and funny.
I agree with the first two paragraphs of your comment. However, if this were about race or gender instead of a sexual orientation, what would your response to this issue be?
It’s time to let go of discrimination whether it’s based on sexual orientation, gender or race…it’s time to move on and let those who want to proudly serve our country do so.
All politics aside, did anyone else find the video just entertaining? I thought it was hilarious! Guys are just trying to have fun and everyone has to read in to it.
I DID!!! i loved it, thought the video was nicely done :)
If anyone thinks this video makes our military look bad or somehow less of a force to be reckoned with you are waaayyy too serious. A marine buddy of mine described himself and fellow marines as the “gayest bunch of homophobes you’d ever met”. I have also had this discussion many times about gays in the military and one person said something that stuck with me, “Why wouldnt you want your fellow soldier to be gay and totally in love with you?, you dont have to be with him and you know that NO-ONE else would have your back like he would, if you got hurt he would be the first one by your side to get you the help you need”. I think this video is an excellent example of some soldiers that have found a way to get a good laugh and forget for just a moment that they are in “hell” (Active War Zone). So why are so many people getting so bothered because our fellow americans across the sea’s shared some levity?
The opening comments by the homophobe truckdriver reading the newspaper sets the tone for the production. If not for that — it would have been a funny video of troops having some fun.
Although I would suggest using your GI education benefits, I think that some of these guys have a future with the Chippendales. I did find it entertaining and creatively done. It’s that same creativity that allows our soldiers to do the outstanding job that they do. I believe that the don’t ask, don’t tell policy was developed because while gays do serve very honorably in the military, there are still people, not just military but people who just aren’t accepting or comfortable with them. It allowed gays to continue to serve while avoiding any discomfort to others. It should be up to the military, ie the soldiers serving to decide if and when the don’t ask, don’t tell policy should be changed. I don’t believe that it makes our soldiers look bad. Our country affords lots of freedoms. Freedom of speech being one of them. Our freedoms are our strenghts. Exercising that freedom shows just one of the ways that our country works and just one of the reasons why it works. It does not make them any less of a good soldier.
@Ringo, I made it half way through the video and couldn’t stop laughing. I am getting out of the military in October and I will miss being a part of the sheer comedy of that all service members have. GO NAVY!…The Army is okay also!hahaha
Do you guys think that if the policy gets lifted, that the homos will start announcing themselves? Nope. Nothing will change. Try sayin “I’m a homo” in an infantry unit, and see what happens to you. Trust me guys, noone will say anything.
i agree with you, i don’t think gays/lesbians would risk what they have with their unit by announcing they are gay, UNLESS they have a very understanding unit. gay or straight there will always be some people who just want to keep their personal life at a downlow
DADT isn’t about keeping gays down. Whether anyone wants to say or not some people don’t accept it as a lifestyle and don’t want to be a part of it at all. It was supposed to keep the issue from being an issue. As for seperate showers, a gay guy probably won’t see it as a flesh show, but the people in the shower have a right to be uncomfortable with it. You cannot force values on people, that is what these soldiers understand and fight for a nation that supports the idea of freedom. DADT is so that gays and lesbians can serve WITHOUT discrimination. Yeah they can’t be open about it but I don’t think they want to flaunt it at work.
If someone actually talks to soldiers instead of listening to the media you will find that no one cares. I know I wouldn’t and don’t care if my fellow soldier is gay or lesbian. It’s not going to change their performance in any way. I could care less what someone’s sexual orientation is, same with race, religion, or gender. As long as they can soldier it makes no difference. It would be nice if the media would stop spinning things up like this. Also to rebuke what another commenter posted, the US Army is not nor should not have to make seperate showers, do you honestly think that every gay man is attracted to every man? Are you that conceited? Are you attracted to every single woman that you see? This argument is just ridiculous.
So just to reiterate, Gay or straight, I don’t care nor does the majority of my comrades care, as long as you can do your job.
Chris,
Women are allowed on combat, I know this because i served 3 years of active duty… I also met my husband and we deployed together. We where able to control ourselves because we knew the danger we would put ourselves and others in if we didnt. Gay men can think and control themselves, and if it is an issue there is always corrective action… Thats for guy on guy, girl on girl or man on girl!!
It was just a fun time– its amazing that people will blow this up to be some dog and pony show for people with an inflammatory agenda. DADT is what it is… the armed forces isnt about sex, or ur sexual relationship– if u cant keep ur private life private than why get huffy when people get judgmental? I’m okay with it being repealed but the core issue isn’t whether or not gays can serve, its whether they can be open about their sexuality while in service. I know a few servicemen who are Gay and its cool but just like i dont go up to my CO and tell him how many girls i’m shacking up with, they dont tell the CO who their with. It may have been a patch up law to make less issues for the military, and it may even be a mistake, but i honestly think that when your at work, your professional face should not include your sexual conduct… cause its not like the gay servicemembers are going to start waving rainbow flags and prance their way to the parade grounds so whats the real issue?
btw i know people will disagree with me, and i know u may think me backwards or prejudiced, but i simply feel when your at work what you did the night before has no value. thats all im saying. im not saying gay people cant serve. im not saying that the law shouldnt be repealed so all those who were forcibly discharged cant serve again. im simply saying if people do what their supposed to, u could **** rabbits and it wouldnt matter