The San Francisco Board of Education has decided to put its stupidity on display for the world to see. In a vote of 4-2, the board decided to eliminate all Junior Reserve Officers? Training Corps (JROTC) programs in San Francisco public schools, by phasing them out over a two-year period.

The reason? According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the board claims the “Don?t Ask, Don?t Tell” rule is an “unjust, indefensible, unintelligent, state-sanctioned act of homophobia.”

And the way the board decided to go about trying to change this rule was to punish over 1,600 high school students currently enrolled in the JROTC program, as well as future hopefuls.

The program does not teach combat training, nor does it require enlistment in the military. It does, however, focus on physical fitness, drill-practice and discipline. According to the Chronicle, the JROTC also performs community service and studies the history of the military.

Let?s face it — the military isn?t exactly gay-friendly. But that?s not the fault of these high school students who are trying to find their place in the world. They?re being cheated of the opportunity to explore career options in the military, when the real issue has absolutely nothing to do with them. They don?t make the rules, they just follow them.

“[The JROTC is] basically a branding program, or a recruiting program for the military,” board member Dan Kelly said to the Chronicle.

Actually, the JROTC helps high school kids decide for themselves whether or not the military is a good fit for them. And whether or not they end up enlisting in the military, it provides an opportunity to attend college and enroll in the ROTC.

The San Francisco Board of Education?s job is to help provide educational opportunities for students, not take them away because they?re upset over a national issue.

But hey, let?s punish the students. Maybe that?ll get the attention of the Pentagon.

And I?m sure this little form of protest will grab the attention of every military establishment in the country, and they?ll think to themselves, “Well if the intelligent, rational, sane city of San Francisco thinks we should ban all JROTC programs, it?s probably a great idea. And maybe we should have coming-out parties for all the gay men and women in the military so they can be ostracized and abused more than they already are.” That?s a great idea, San Fran.

The military is historically a hyper-masculine, testosterone-induced group of people who see uniformity as strength and difference as weakness. Completely changing this ideal won?t be as easy as disbanding a high school program. And it?s completely out of line and unfair to the students involved.

Sure, the board will introduce new programs to replace the JROTC, but it still leaves the problem of punishing cadets, and future cadets, dozens of who were present when the decision was made.

While JROTC opponents clapped vigorously when the decision was announced, the high school cadets cried.

The program has been a part of the school district for 90 years. And now it?s being “phased out” because of a rule that prevents things like hazing and discrimination against the gay community the school board claims to be fighting for.

“We need to teach a curriculum of peace,” said former teacher Nancy Mancias to the Chronicle. Yes, let?s completely ignore a little subject called history. Let?s replace it with Peace, Love and “Hey Bob, nice dress.”

War is a part of our past, our present and, sorry to tell you, our future. And the future of this country is in the hands of the students whom the board of education has decided to oppress.