I Have the Freedom of Speech

Source: 'Don't ask' survey in crossfire.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0710/39539.html

Constitutional Connection: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Source Cited: http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Am1

Analysis of Connection: 

     The first amendment should allow any US citizen to speak as freely as they please on any topic, but the "Don't ask, Don't tell" policy prohibits homosexual troops from openly speaking of their sexual orientation. The 'Don't ask, Don't tell' policy is intended to 'protect' closeted gays or lesbians from being discovered or having to reveal their preference. In the government efforts 'protect' those few, they take away the right of openly gay or bisexual troops to speak freely or even enroll in the armed forces. 

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chief's Adm. Micheal Mullen on the 'Don't ask, Don't tell' survey/

     The article "'Don't ask' survey in crossfire" talks about the survey that was recently sent out to all military participants and their families. The survey focuses on a wide variety of topics and scenarios that will give the government a better idea of whether or not the repeal of the 'Don't ask, Don't tell' policy is a good idea. Alexander Nicholson, executive director of Service member Union stated, "the survey isn't just slightly bad, its far more skewed than we even expected it to be, given the working group's commitment to staying neutral".  Sending out a biased survey does not give a clear cut idea of whether or not the repeal is a good idea because  it does not allow the people to give their own opinion. 

     I agree with the repeal of the "Don't ask, Don't tell' policy because it is in violation of the first amendment, those troops have the right to speak as they please about the preference. Just because other military participants feel uncomfortable with them does not give the government a right to take away their first amendment rights. Plenty people feel uncomfortable or do not agree with some things people talk about, but does that give the government the right to tell them they cant say it? No, because it is granted to them, in the constitution, to speak freely.