Army discharged 11 soldiers in January because of DADT.
Army discharged 11 soldiers in January because of DADT.
Last week, Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) proposed repealing the U.S. military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy banning gay men and women from serving openly. Since its enactment in 1994, the policy has “cost the country hundreds of millions of dollars and thousands of service men and women…including approximately 800 with skills deemed ‘mission critical.” Today, in “the first in a series of monthly releases” highlighting the impact of the policy, Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) revealed that 11 soldiers were discharged for being gay in January:
“At a time when our military’s readiness is strained to the breaking point from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the armed forces continue to discharge vital service members under the outdated, outmoded ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy,” said Moran. … “[H]ow many more good soldiers are we willing to lose due to a bad policy that makes us less safe and secure? I’m going to keep releasing this information each month until DADT is repealed.”
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Depending on the level of discharge I would say they are the lucky ones. Since benefits for honorably discharged veterans rank somewhere between pitiful and sucks (thanks to George and his compassion crew) I find it hard to believe that any American with an IQ higher than room temperature in Greenland would ‘volunteer’.
March 12th, 2009 at 8:35 pmDo you think gay men care about flaunting their sexuality when they enter a recruitment center and jump off of a plane? Discontinue this antiquated anti-gay policy and judge soldiers based on their character and dedication, not their sexuality. If homophobic soldiers can’t handle it, then they shouldn’t be defending the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.
March 12th, 2009 at 8:35 pmAnd I am a veteran. Go figure.
March 12th, 2009 at 8:37 pmCanny55 Says:
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Do you think gay men care about flaunting their sexuality
Every gay person I have met does. Anywany, I don’t personally think homosexuals or women should be able to serve on the battle field or close to it. In battle I would not want to rely on a woman or a man that wants to be a woman, that’s for sure!
March 12th, 2009 at 8:39 pmAh, simple, you just keep being simple. Back in my day we said retarded but I have known too many who were given that label that didn’t deserve it.
You are just too simple for words.
March 12th, 2009 at 8:41 pmSimple, you have betrayed your ignorance. You see, assclowns like yourself have been led to believe that homosexuality is about a longing to be a woman manifesting itself in a sexual attraction to men. Who you love, whether or not it’s an individual of the same sex, does not mean that you want to be the opposite gender. But that level of thinking is beyond you, sheep.
I have a gay relative, and he’s more of a man than you will ever be.
March 12th, 2009 at 8:43 pmDoes anyone else find the Army commercial offensive? You made them strong…we will make them Army strong. More like you taught them values, we will screw them up.
March 12th, 2009 at 8:44 pmArchie! You actually made a cognizant post. Oh, sorry, I missed the intelligent aspect. Never mind.
March 12th, 2009 at 9:04 pmShut up, Archie
March 12th, 2009 at 9:08 pmA simple man Says:
Every gay person I have met does. Anywany, I don’t personally think homosexuals or women should be able to serve on the battle field or close to it.
Well it’s your opinion and you’re entitled to it, but I think it’s not shared by most people.
March 12th, 2009 at 9:09 pmHow many of those soldiers speak Arabic? Or possess other skills vital to the current mission?
Then again, how many are f*king sick of being stuck in Iraq and scared of being outed by some ignorant bigot like our simple friend?
We all live with gay people. You may not know it but statistically speaking, there are gay people in your neighborhood, your workplace, your social organizations (including church) and in your local, state, and national legislative bodies, not to mention your political party. They aren’t hurting you, they’re not trying to convert you or your children, they are living their lives just like you are. And you don’t even know who they are because they’re not all flamboyant drag queens, just like all us straight people aren’t Republican jerks.
If they want to serve our nation proudly in the armed forces, they should be able to and God knows how many people we need because the chickenhawks aren’t going to serve.
March 12th, 2009 at 9:10 pmKicking out the Arabic-speaking translators who could’ve prevented 9/11, just because they were gay? Pretty stupid move from the Bush government.
March 12th, 2009 at 9:13 pmOpenly gay soldier (male or female) versus Dick Cheney. Put the question to the troops.
March 12th, 2009 at 9:15 pmWe have all met gay men and women that we don’t know are gay. If someone doesn’t “flaunt” their sexuality in some way then there is no way to know whether they are straight or gay. Sometimes people do live up to the stereotype, but a lot of times they don’t. And, what constitutes “flaunting” your sexuality is in the eye of the beholder. Is kissing your same-sex spouse in public flaunting your sexuality any more than the kiss of any married couple?
March 12th, 2009 at 9:20 pmfletc3her Says:
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Is kissing your same-sex spouse in public flaunting your sexuality any more than the kiss of any married couple?
Yes, I would prefer if they didnt do that in public.
March 12th, 2009 at 9:24 pmIt simply makes him feel bad because….
March 12th, 2009 at 9:31 pmArchibald, who is your new friend Mr. Simpleton?
Hi Boez! MmMmMm Peachycheeks and SugarPie… sllluuurps!
Come give us some LOVIN! You know you want it.
You know where to find me Archibumpkins, bring your cute friend. hmmm?
toodles
March 12th, 2009 at 9:56 pmGuns, Bibles, and Simpletons! Too many of each, no wonder America is going down the toilet. Military policy from gays to criminal wars, there will be no restoration of America until the Criminals Bush and Cheney are behind bars.
March 12th, 2009 at 10:00 pmA simple man says:
In battle I would not want to rely on a woman or a man that wants to be a woman, that’s for sure!
March 12th, 2009 at 8:39 pm Add Karma Recommend (0) |
Maybe you need to get your brains out of your groin and begin viewing others in a more logical way. Once you can begin seeing others in a non sexual way you will then realize all come in individual unique forms… no two are the same. Most do this and obviously you are far behind times.
March 12th, 2009 at 10:08 pmA simple man Says:
In battle I would not want to rely on a woman or a man that wants to be a woman, that’s for sure!
March 12th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
F uck you, simpleton.
March 12th, 2009 at 10:28 pmThanks Zooey. I was mentally composing a diatribe accusing this fool, whom I doubt has ever seen combat beyond his video game, of discounting the fact that women who joined the National Guard as support for front line troops, have wound up casualties in a war in which the definitions of front lines and combat are somewhat fluid. You reminded me not to waste my effort, the only appropriate answer is FU.
March 12th, 2009 at 10:36 pmOutstandingInMyField Says:
March 12th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Lately, it’s my first line of defense with these idiot trolls.
March 12th, 2009 at 10:41 pm:-)
Unless you are one of those wingnuts that “getsoff” when gunfire or munitions are being let go. I can tell you the last concern you have in the heat of battle is what your squadmates sexual preference is. But of course since all these asswipes are chickenhawk armchair warriors, they think they can spew whatever they like.
I have buried relatives and friends that served our country honorably since the Korean War. (More before that one, but I was not around then.) I was conceived and born on an US Army base in Augsburg Germany. Shortly thereafter my father was killed, and my mother brought us back to California. I did my stint in the AF during peace time. My family has a loong history of service, most of them are lifers.
If you cant do the training or the job properly is the only important question. Other than that.. STFU
March 12th, 2009 at 10:49 pmThe out dated mind set of #4 A simple man is an embarrassment to the human race…. has to be some old fogy left over from the ’50’s clueless of the real world.
March 12th, 2009 at 10:52 pmA simple man Says:
Anywany, I don’t personally think homosexuals or women should be able to serve on the battle field or close to it.
1. You obviously don’t “personally think.” You let bigots do it for you.
2. Ever read about the ferocious Grecian soldiers who loved men AND women?
3. Ever read about the ferocious Sabras, the FEMALE soldiers who fight for Israel?
What are you afraid of, simpleton?
Trust me: gay men DO NOT WANT YOU. Neither do women with brains and self-respect.
March 12th, 2009 at 11:25 pmA simple man Says:
Yes, I would prefer if they didnt do that in public.
We would prefer if you didn’t parade your bigotry in public.
March 12th, 2009 at 11:28 pm“So not everything will get done in the beginning but he’s committed to following through” with ending the policy against being openly gay in the military. White House Press Secretary Gibbs on President Obama.
committed to following through with ending. Not fast enough for 10 soldiers. How hard is it to stop bad management practices? It’s not difficult to stop DADT, there’s nothing to replace it with.
It’s not hard to stop distorting incentive compensation. Pay people fairly and lead them.
March 12th, 2009 at 11:59 pmAll that we want is to be judged on our merits in the armed services. The good news is that the Military Times polls suggest less resistance within the services to gays serving openly than there was to racial and gender integration.
A list of the 125 co-sponsors (ONE R) of the repeal is here:
http://www.tips-q.com/content/rep-ileana-ros-lehtinen-lonely-republican-co-sponsor-dadt-repeal
March 13th, 2009 at 10:03 amI served many years in the military, and would never have had a problem with being on the battlefield with women or homosexuals. In fact, in the case of gays, I would assume that I was on the battle field with them. Not a problem.
To be honest, what I did not want to do is take a shower with them. Which is something certain in VietNam, and field conditions. Call me strange.
March 13th, 2009 at 1:14 pmI should have added, that I do support repeal of this stupid DADT policy. Hey, two of my cousins are gay. So what?
March 13th, 2009 at 1:18 pmA simple man Says:
Every gay person I have met does.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
NONE that I know personally do.
Anywany, I don’t personally think homosexuals or women should be able to serve on the battle field or close to it. In battle I would not want to rely on a woman or a man that wants to be a woman, that’s for sure!
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I dont think people as stupid as you should be able to vote. I am not trying to make that a law however. I CERTAINLY dont want to depend on anyone as stupid as you for ANYTHING under ANY circumstances
March 13th, 2009 at 7:43 pmArchie B Says:
I thought Bush single handedly made us less safe?
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No he had help. He did do as much as he COULD to make us less safe however. That WAS a good argument though sparky. You may be growing up
March 13th, 2009 at 7:44 pmtelestai2 Says:
3. Ever read about the ferocious Sabras, the FEMALE soldiers who fight for Israel?
===
Sabra is a term used to describe a Jew born in Israel. It’s not a specific term relating to Israeli women, an Israeli unit or any part of the IDF, and it shouldn’t be used in such a context.
Also, women don’t serve in active duty. Israel has female conscription, but about a third of female conscripts (more than double the figure for men) are exempted, mainly for religious and nuptial reasons. Women are barred from combat roles (with the exception of Arab Israeli war of ‘48). Women in the IDF only work in technical or administrative roles.
March 14th, 2009 at 9:17 am“If you’re not a liberal at twenty you have no heart, if you’re not a conservative at forty you have no brain.”
Winston Churchill quotes
March 15th, 2009 at 8:02 am#
EugeneDebs Says:
A simple man Says:
Every gay person I have met does.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
NONE that I know personally do.
.
.
.
March 13th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Well. Apparently eleven soldiers did make a point of “telling.”
Along with the other assumptions made in this TP post if one assumes that these soldier were not asked – don’t ask – about their sexual orientation, then they must have made a point of telling, perhaps flaunting, their sexual orientation. IOW, it seems to bit, that it was more important to be gay than it was to be a soldier.
Further, there are additional assumptions about this post that seem reasonable, at least to bit.
The congressman refers to the these service members as vital. That’s an assumption.
The announcement of the discharges says the soldiers were discharged because they were gay. Isn’t that an assumption also? Since homosexuality remains a self-described “condition” – there is not test for it, could there be any easier way to get out of the military than faking, and flaunting, a flaming homosexual personality? Perhaps those discharged didn’t want to go to Iraq. Perhaps they just didn’t like the military.
There’s actually very little substance here.
March 16th, 2009 at 9:24 amSimple, gays and lesbians have served, and are serving now in the military. They are doing the same job, under the same stresses, and risking their lives just as much as heterosexuals. Saying you wouldn’t trust your life to a women or a gay man in combat is just ridiculous. First, you have never been, nor would you ever SERVE in combat – so stop judging those who do. Second, do you routinely ask the pilot of an aircraft you are flying if they are gay or not? What about the police or firemen who protect you. What about the doctors you visit. Do you even care for a moment about their sexual orientation before you put your life in their hands.
Third – you moron – you have already had your life protected by gay men and women in military, and always will. They make up a significant percentage of the military now, and always have. They served in WWII and WWI. They served in revolutionary war. Bisexuality is not a 20th century invention.
The British have abolished this discrimination in their military, and the Israelis did it years ago. They have noted no change in combat effectiveness – in fact they report it has improved it.
After 24 years in the USAF, I now work for the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security office. I trust my life every day to my fellow agents here in Pakistan – and our agency has allowed gays to serve openly for years. Only a close minded, brain washed, insecure, homophobe would feel threatened by this issue.
March 18th, 2009 at 9:51 am