Trick #7

Common denom.  --  The don’t ask don’t tell policy and a soldiers view of it

Thesis – our thesis is on the American military policy of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.  They share a point of view that not every American soldier cares about the sexuality of others. 

1. Observations:  Soldiers don’t care about serving with other people with different sexual preferences

2. Both cartoons focus on the subject of the American militaries “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and the soldiers viewpoints.

3. How do we know this?    Cartoon #1, the soldier is declaring that above all else, no matter the situation, he is an American soldier first.  Cartoon #2, shows two coffins with signs stating Didn’t ask and the other shows didn’t tell.  The flags on the coffins show that they were americans that gave their lives not caring about the policy.

5.  What do we find interesting about these cartoons?  We find it interesting that the soldiers don’t appear to care about the policy on the same level that politicians or civilians do.  The soldiers understand that you have to serve with one another and will put your life in their hands.  They understand the importance of not allowing this policy to interfere with their job.

How does it tap into larger social or cultural issues?  There has always been controversy between having gay or straight people serving in the military.  Hate crimes have always been uncommon within the country. 

Thesis --   The two cartoons both share a common idea that the average military person does not care about the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.  That it does not matter what your sexual preference is. When you decide to serve, you serve as an American soldier.  And that no matter if you are gay or straight, when you enter the military and you die, you die an American citizen.