TOLERANCE OR APPROVAL? (Reinhard)

Poor Peter Pace. The Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman probably thinks the Iraq war is brutal and inside-the-Pentagon politics cutthroat. The Marine general ain't seen nothin' yet.

In a Monday interview with the Chicago Tribune, Pace said he believes homosexuality is "immoral" -- and all secular hell broke loose. Press releases were issued, an apology demanded and throat-clearing words from Capitol Hill flashed across the land.

Now, the Joint Chiefs chairman wasn't just popping off on moral issues. He was responding to a question about the military's "don't-ask, don't tell" policy. (He supports the policy, which he says allows homosexuals to serve.) Nor was he singling out homosexual conduct. Here's what Pace said in defense of "don't ask, don't tell."

"I believe that homosexual acts between individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts. I do not believe that the armed forces . . . are well served by saying through our policies that it's OK to be immoral in any way. As an individual, I would not want (acceptance of gay behavior) to be our policy, just like I would not want it to be our policy that if we were to find out that so-and-so was sleeping with somebody else's wife, that we would just look the other way, which we do not. We prosecute that kind of immoral behavior."

Pace could have given a better defense of "don't ask, don't tell." He said as much the next day. He should have focused more on the policy and less on morality. He could have noted the special circumstances our troops operate in and the need for unit cohesion. But let's not kid ourselves: His real offense was that he believes homosexuality is, like adultery, "immoral" and was candid enough to say so.

Apparently, he hasn't learned that you're not allowed to talk like that in public -- even if you're old-school enough to think certain conduct, other than driving an SUV or failing to recycle, is "immoral."

Again, he might have answered better. His reply was more about Pace than policy. Practical considerations explain the "don't-ask, don't-tell" policy. But our society's competing views on the morality or immorality of homosexuality underlie these considerations. Pace's words were a reminder of this.

We say we favor tolerance and celebrating diversity. Gay-rights groups say this all the time. But their instant outrage over Pace's remarks suggests they don't really mean it. They seem to want acceptance or approval rather than tolerance or accommodation. Their idea of celebrating diversity never includes celebrating, or even respecting, the views of people who believe homosexuality is "immoral" or a sin.

Tolerance, after all, is letting something be that you deem bad, undesirable, offensive or immoral. It's inevitably a judgmental act. A society doesn't need to tolerate something it judges to be good or just one of many equal behaviors in the grand banquet of life. Far from tolerance, today's gay-rights champions favor a devalued, nonjudgmental regime of radical equality when it comes to sexuality.

Pace made clear he doesn't think homosexuality is good or that heterosexuality and homosexuality are equal sexualities. This was his big no-no. He gave voice to the traditional morality that dares not speak its name in many quarters today.

Where would Pace get such a notion? From the Judeo-Christian foundation of the country he's sworn to protect and defend. From a larger chunk of today's American public. From the moral and religious sentiments that express themselves in our laws and institutions, from traditional marriage laws to the military's "don't-ask, don't-tell" policy.

Assert these values in public, however, and you'll be pilloried. You'll be called a homophobe or bigot. The Oregon Family Council worked to pass a traditional marriage amendment to Oregon's Constitution. Now Basic Rights Oregon, a gay-advocacy group, calls it a "right-wing hate group" in fundraising letters. Never mind that 57 percent of voters backed the marriage amendment (are they hate-filled, too?) or that the Oregon Family Council is trying to pass a reciprocal benefits law to address gay and lesbian couples' legitimate concerns. Hold traditional moral views and you're hate-filled.

Or insensitive, or outrageous or all other intolerant, non-celebratory phrases that greeted Gen. Pace's unremarkable if impolitic pronouncement.

David Reinhard, associate editor, can be reached at 503-221-8152 or davidreinhard@news.oregonian.com.

Even though General Pace came out later and stated he could have said it better, he made his position known regarding homosexuals in the military and good for him.

The left is winning. When I was in Junior High School, now known as Middle School... I remember the beginnings of the "words hurt" campaign. It was pushed hard, and became integral to our society.
Now the left can control anyone, or any group by labeling their thoughts and words as hurtful, or hate speech.

General Pace said something that is 100% fact, indisputable. He, General Pace, sees homosexuality as being immoral. Where is the problem? It is his belief.

The left has won the word war. Now they are attempting to control an individuals belief system.
D*mn them!

Even though General Pace came out later and stated he could have said it better, he made his position known regarding homosexuals in the military and good for him.

Obviously General Pace like most Marines is not afraid of a bunch of faggots.

On a personal note, you know you're getting old when the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs joined the service after you did.

Another great article by David Reinhard. Unfortunately, the people who need to read it won't be able to comprehend the existence of words with more than four letters.

6 posted on 03/15/2007 8:37:00 AM PDT by crazyhorse691 (The faithful will keep their heads down, their powder dry and hammer at the enemies flanks.)

On a personal note, you know you're getting old when the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs joined the service after you did.

LOL! Ain't that a fact.

My 16 yr. old son just had a project based on Dante's Inferno. Everyone had to make up their own inferno and list the sins that would put you there. EVERY kid in the class put homosexuality. The gay movement can squawk all they want, most people are uncomfortable with it. I don't think you have to beat people up for it but you don't have to embrace it. I think the don't ask, don't tell policy should be everywhere. The minute you announce you're gay to me, the first thing that pops into my head is what you do in bed. Gross.

"I think the don't ask, don't tell policy should be everywhere. "

Of course it should be. Heteros don't immediately announce their preference, even when people don't care.
But it's about control. The left doesn't just want you to tolerate queers. They want you to "embrace their lifestyle". B.S.
So, they're trying to go after Gen. Pace in an effort to show the rest of us that if we think that way, we're wrong. B.S. again!
Gen. Pace believes as I do, that it is immoral. Our beliefs should not be seen as an affliction.
The left only believes in diversity of opinion and thought as long as it fits their narrow world view.

I hate liberals more than I ever have.

Go General Pace!

Check out this General Pace thread over at the Pendagon (the former Edwards wacko bloggers site). Hyzenthlay tears up the place, and the regulars are having a fit! She plays them like a fiddle, knowing exactly which buttons to push. It's pretty funny.

http://pandagon.net/2007/03/14/morality-policy-and-general-pace/

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