Pentagon University Elects First Openly Gay Student President
Pentagon University Elects First Openly Gay Student President
For the first time, a Defense Department university has elected an openly gay student council president.
The student body of Uniformed Services University (USU), which includes uniformed personnel in the armed forces, this week voted for Patrick High to represent graduate students at the school. High served nine years in the Illinois Army National Guard and is currently a Ph.D. candidate at USU.
His election “is just the latest in a series of signs that those serving in our armed forces are ready to welcome openly gay colleagues,” said C. Dixon Osburn, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. Some other recent signs of progress:
– “Earlier this summer, a West Point graduate received a prestigious academic award for his thesis opposing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ the ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual service members.”
– In May, Lieutenant General Claudia Kennedy, USA (Ret.), the first woman to achieve the rank of three-star general in the Army, called for repeal of the law, saying it is “a hollow policy that serves no useful purpose.”
Still, the number of dismissals under “Don’t Ask” increased from 668 in 2004 to 742 last year, even as the U.S. Army’s personnel readiness degraded to levels not seen “since the Vietnam era.”
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Now what do you have to say about that DLC?
August 31st, 2006 at 11:42 amMerit is the only thing that matters.
August 31st, 2006 at 11:43 amNice. The Pentagon University elects a gay student prez, while the military quietly continue to dismiss gays from service.
I wonder just how bad low the numbers have to drop before the military reverses itself and allows gays in again. Until then, we have a third option if they attempt a draft:
August 31st, 2006 at 11:44 am
Congratulations, Mr. High. Best of luck to you in your new post. I hope you achieve the goals you set for yourself.
August 31st, 2006 at 11:54 amHe’s not really gay he’s just “morally confused.”
August 31st, 2006 at 12:04 pmI blame all this “gayness” on Ann Coulter! She could make the biggest horn-dog turn gay. The GOP needs to put her on the “front-line” in the war on terror! We could have a “real” victory in a short time.
Texas Juice
August 31st, 2006 at 12:11 pm“3) Tell the recruiter he’s cute.”
Nah, soon they’ll just put you in a special platoon – “bullet catcher”
August 31st, 2006 at 12:12 pmFuture Republicans sez:
Yup….the ‘gay’ part was OK, but the ‘openly’ part really sunk it for him.
August 31st, 2006 at 12:29 pm# 8-F.P.:
What about Ken Mehlman or Jeff Gannon?
August 31st, 2006 at 12:32 pmOf course everyone assumes that the recruiter would be a man.
August 31st, 2006 at 12:41 pmWhy don’t you people get a life. Do something for peace.
I don’t give a shit who wants to be in the military.
This shouldn’t be news, but because of our sad society, it is. Congrats to him on his new job. Glad to hear people are still making it work based on effort.
August 31st, 2006 at 1:47 pmwe seem to be doing the same thing you are doing.
August 31st, 2006 at 2:28 pmEnglish soldiers can be openly gay and they work right next to American soldiers in Iraq, but the American military doesn’t allow soldiers to be openly gay because it damages “unit cohesion”….yet they work right next to openly gay English soldiers. Isn’t this a contradiction? How are American gays so different from English gays that they are not allowed to serve in the military? Do American gays have more cooties?
August 31st, 2006 at 2:43 pm#14, everyone knows all Englishmen are gay gay gay gay gay GAY. It’s just a fact, they all are. Well, OK, except maybe Jude Law. :-) :-)
He’s way cute; love those satellite dish ears. :-) Best of luck to him. I think there’s more important gay issues than the military (i.e. housing and job discrimination laws, laws relating to inheritence/hospital visits etc.) but every little bit helps. I mean, look how well kicking out all those gay Arab linguists a while back worked out……
August 31st, 2006 at 3:00 pmSurely you say “Gay arab linguists” with tongue in cheek.
August 31st, 2006 at 3:15 pmI think you mean translators
August 31st, 2006 at 3:15 pmOdd that the military idolizes the likes of Achilles and Alexander the Great, two of history’s greates military heros as well as two of history most noted homosexuals. This is the same military that said it would never stand for integration of people of color, but under effective leadership did just that. This is the same military that said it would never stand for inclusion of women, yet under effective leadership, did just that. Perhaps it is the leadership (both Clinton and Bush) that we need to question. Neither man has got what it takes to lead our country or our military.
August 31st, 2006 at 3:46 pmWHO cares???? Frankly, if the guy is doing a great job, I don’t see where the conversation goes from military ordinance and strategy to bed partners….It’s none of my business – but the flamers out there BELIEVE everyone, everywhere, needs to know everything. If it WERE any of my business, if it were relevant to anything, I would appreciate the info – It isn’t – so I don’t….
August 31st, 2006 at 5:44 pmYet, today, he’d still be booted out of our military. I don’t see any progress. Sorry.
August 31st, 2006 at 5:46 pmOh, and Mighty A., the word “flamers” is derogatory, so cut it out. I’m sick to death of your BS.
August 31st, 2006 at 5:48 pmDear Gay Blade – And your point is?????
August 31st, 2006 at 6:28 pmI always thought the word “whore” was (whimper….whimper….Boooooo-Hoooooo) derogatory UNTIL I visited TP. Get over it…..and then get over yourself….
People like “mighty a” fascinate me because even they sound as if they might be an adult their opinions are backwards and the way they express themselves is infantile. I can’t figure out how an adult could be so clueless, childish, and backwards, or why any adult would want to be that way or stay that way. Fascinating.
August 31st, 2006 at 7:20 pmDear Gay Blade – You must be mistaken….you’re confusing with someone who ACTUALLY cares what YOU think…..I don’t …
August 31st, 2006 at 7:30 pmP.S. GB, Allow me congratulate YOU!!! You seem to have the “gay” bitchy thing down PAT. You’re just toooooo precious…..
August 31st, 2006 at 7:33 pmmighty a….why do you start name-calling by calling people “flamers”? I’m fascinated as to why you would want to lower yourself to name-calling.
August 31st, 2006 at 7:36 pmDear RFSP, How nice of you to inquire… Your question is an excellent one – but you may wish to consider the following:
a.) How did the entire world find out this young man is homosexual?
b.) Is it any of our business??
c.) If it’s none of OUR business, why does he want everyone to KNOW?
If the term “flamers” offend you, the word “whore” must render you apoplectic!! Please ignore post #23….May I suggest you do not have a right not to be offended…Besides, that is a term young children could glance at an not be made to blush….The usual vulgarians here are so precictable….
August 31st, 2006 at 7:57 pmPlease just answer the question. Why did you start name-calling?
August 31st, 2006 at 8:01 pmMighty, as usual, you miss the point: I don’t care whether you care what I think. My point is that name calling is childish. End of story. Glad you think I’m “too precious” and have that “gay bitchy thing down pat.” No end to the stereotypes with you, is there. Your defensiveness tells me all I need to know; not that I needed or wanted to know anything more about you. There I go with that gay bitchy thing again! Fingers snapping away! Time to fire up the disco! Oh, we gay people are all alike!
August 31st, 2006 at 8:01 pmDear Gay Blade – YOU’re missing the point – - what difference does it make who he gets a rise out of….It’s none of my business. Why does the Gay Group that publicized this think it’s important to know?? I wish EVERYONE would shut up about who, or what, trips their trigger… WHY SHOULD WE EVEN KNOW??
August 31st, 2006 at 8:12 pmYou want to know why a gay person being acknowledged for something is a big deal in the United States? Think about it. Gays are demonized by the Bush administration and its base. So, when a gay person is miraculously allowed into an institution that one would not normally expect a gay person to be a part of, it becomes a big deal. Frankly, I’m with you. I don’t give a flying fig about the sexuality of anyone at any time. The answer to this is that EVERYONE shouldn’t care about anyone’s sexual preference at any time. That won’t happen until prejudice against gay people goes away, until people stop calling gay people names like “flamers.” When the prejudice dies, so will the need to identify someone based on their sexuality. You appear to blame the gay person for this, when indeed it’s a symptom of our society and bigotry. I pray the day comes that being gay is a big, fat so what.
August 31st, 2006 at 8:27 pmNot “faux,” dear, I find name-calling offensive. Our society has become very combative and very rude. Thank you George W. Bush. The “uniter” did a heck of a job dividing this nation. As far as you being attacked in a vulgar fashion when you visit this website, you need to examine HOW you visit this website. You always start on the defensive and always name call. So don’t be surprised when people do it back at you. If you want to avoid vulgarity, then drop your own vulgarity. Be the better person and see how that works for you. You might be surprised at the outcome.
August 31st, 2006 at 9:02 pmGay Bear, you do realize Mighty Asstodite is the poster who is all in favor of nuclear attacks on civilian centers in the mideast, torture and murder of Arab,Muslim, dark skinned people, taking away all civil rights, especially for groups that are not “normal” like gays, immigrants, dark skinned people, women, or non-evangelicals. She has defended killing innocent women and children, and essentially is a piece of human refuse. Arguing “name calling” or “gay bashing” with a sociopathic fascist willing to endorse child killing is a bit phyrric isn’t it?
August 31st, 2006 at 9:46 pmGay Bear: Please, do not blame George W. Bush for the country’s divisions that have been caused by Tom Daschle, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and the partisan, leftstream press.
Mighty A: (I could think of something that would fit there besides “Aphrodite.”) It’s nobody’s business what someone’s sexual orientation is? Well, then, that would cut out all the engagement/wedding announcements from the newspapers, wedding rings, any publicity about weddings, pictures of spouse/children in the workplace, etc. Need I go on? If heterosexuals have to flaunt their sexual orientation, don’t bitch about gays doing the same thing.
August 31st, 2006 at 9:56 pmGL,
I hope you had the “Satire Button” on for your first paragraph!?!
t-mac
September 1st, 2006 at 1:00 amre: #19 Republicans make it their business; falsely advocate small government
WHO cares???? Frankly, if the guy is doing a great job, I don’t see where the conversation goes from military ordinance and strategy to bed partners….It’s none of my business – but the flamers out there BELIEVE everyone, everywhere, needs to know everything. If it WERE any of my business, if it were relevant to anything, I would appreciate the info – It isn’t – so I don’t….
Comment by mighty aphrodite — August 31, 2006 @ 5:44 pm
Yet you and the rest of your Republican cohorts like to make it your business when two consenting adults want to get married or adopt a child. Your comments are incongruent with your position and political affiliation. So much for Republicans wanting small government with their noses in everyone’s business.
September 1st, 2006 at 5:01 amMighty Mouth
September 1st, 2006 at 8:40 amYou wonder why we (which I translate as “you and others who see the world in their own little black and white terms”) need to know about a homosexual’s orientation. Simple answer that even you, counselor, can comprehend: to demonstrate that they exist and are just trying to live happy and productive lives like everyone else, until people respect that and oppressive laws and behaviors toward them no longer exist. Then, there will be no need for activists.
That boy’s got some nice ears on him don’t he? Nuknuknuk.
September 1st, 2006 at 10:11 am#39 – “Simple answer that even you, counselor, can comprehend: to demonstrate that they exist and are just trying to live happy and productive lives like everyone else,” Comment by PLC
*******Dear PhonyLiberalChristian – As usual, your condescending elitism is showing…so is your slip. Thanks for clearing THAT up!! GAYS exist???? WOW!! They’re trying to live happy productive lives????? AMAZING!!!! Did you leave out the promiscuity rate for male homosexuals – or was that merely an oversight caused by your hand stands and empathy????
September 1st, 2006 at 2:25 pm[...] The student body of Uniformed Services University (USU), the Department of Defense health sciences university, this week voted for an openly gay student council president. Patrick M. High will represent graduate students at the school, who include uniformed armed services’ personnel. (Thanks, Nico.) [...]
September 1st, 2006 at 3:37 pmMighty: You see how you are. You can’t just address someone’s comment, you instead have to insert the word “phony” into another person’s posting-name. This is why people are rude back at you. You refuse to learn, so you must be a lost cause.
September 1st, 2006 at 3:40 pmHomosexuality has no place in the military. It is not a matter of moral character as it is a matter of morale. Women and men are generally separated from eachother in combat environments so as to avoid the complications that arise from inappropriate relationships. Yes, women are involved in combat in Iraq, but it is a consequence of pulling security- not because they are in a combat MOS. Homosexuality in the military adds an element of extreme uncertainty that commanders have no time to compensate for.
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