Retired military officers: keep ban on gays

AP/Google ^ | 4/1/09 | Dave Crary

[pissant]

NEW YORK (AP) — More than 1,000 retired military officers, including several who were top commanders, are urging President Barack Obama and Congress to maintain the law that bars gays from serving openly in the armed forces.

Obama is consulting with the Pentagon on the issue and says he supports eventual repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which prohibits gays in the military from being open about their sexual orientation. A bill that would allow gays to serve openly has been introduced in Congress.

A statement issued by the retired officers Tuesday said passage of that bill "would undermine recruiting and retention, impact leadership at all levels, have adverse effects on the willingness of parents who lend their sons and daughters to military service, and eventually break the All-Volunteer Force."

[pissant]

The marxists will do everything they can to let gays in.

[americanophile]

It's not important that we have a unified fighting force that adopts the policies best suited to produce cohesion, boost morale and create an effective military machine, what's important is that nobody’s feelings are hurt.

[STONEWALLS]

“The marxists will do everything they can to let gays in.”

....yep....anything to under mine American strength.

[Sgt_Schultze]

It’s not about gays, it’s about reinstating the draft. Zero has promised a civilian police-state force larger than the military. He will not get the personnel voluntarily, he will have to resort to a draft. With don’t ask,” don’t tell” in place, anybody can avoid serving by claiming homosexuality. I don’t suppose they require you to demonstrate your sexual preference. Without DADT, nobody has an automatic way out.

[max americana]

It might, but it will be difficult. My cousin who serves in Sokor near the DMZ said he’s had a “couple” of them enter at boot camp and ALL during his class washed out. Apparently, accessorizing boots were more important than the team.

[MrB]

Gays are just the spearhead of the left’s weapon to destroy essential and basic godly institutions, values and traditions.

[wbill]

Generally, I would tend to side with people that actually *perform* the work...not the bureaucrats who say "somebody should DO something about this".

If the military - particularly retired military, with no irons in the current fire - thinks its a bad idea, then I think it's a bad idea.

[wbill]

Likely depends on whether they were there to serve, or there to make a political statement.

People who are determined to succeed, rarely find a way to fail. However, those with nothing to gain say "This is Hard" and quit. There are exceptions, of course, but generally speaking...

Just as well they all washed out. Good riddance.

[Gator113]

The order to “assume leaning rest position” will have a new meaning, that’s for sure.

“Hand to hand combat training” will be called, “bitch slapping.”

In boot camp, kissing the DI when he wakes you in the morning, will no longer get you out.

Instead of Forts, we’ll call them Bathhouses.

“Cover your buddies behind” can become the motto of all branches.

Yep, it will change a few things.

[Gator113]

Oh, and medals will no longer be handed out, instead it will be jewelry and accessories.

“Left, right, left, skip, left, right, left .....

I’m having trouble stopping this..... LOL

[Lucky Dog]

From later in the article: "The most important factor in lifting a gay ban is a clear signal from senior leadership," said Dr. Nathaniel Frank, senior research fellow at the Palm Center, a think tank at the University of California, Santa Barbara, that studies issues involving gays and the military.

"Everyone knows it's just a matter of time before the gay ban falls, so for officers to come out and say 'Gays are a threat to the military' could cause the very problems that they ostensibly fear," Frank said.

Dr. Frank is, either, ignorant or disingenuous, or both. The most important factors in this issue are military and public law, not a clear signal from senior leadership. In both of the previously cited legal institutions, Congress, not the military hierarchy, is the deciding entity.

However, if Dr. Frank is seeking a clear signal from senior leadership, it certainly appears that he has one. Unfortunately, for Dr. Franks, it seems that the clear signal from senior leadership does just the opposite of supporting his position.

The fact that these officers, representing vast experience in all services, have gone on the record against allowing homosexuals to serve openly should reinforce the wisdom of previous Congresses. Clearly, these officers understand and support the strictures in the Uniform Code of Military Justice and public law that were emplaced for good reason: creating and maintaining good order and discipline. Good order and discipline are supremely critical to the effectiveness of the military in carrying out their Constitutionally mandated mission of providing for the common defense.

[Gator113]

Considering the comments I have made on this thread I should also say this...

I know that there have been gays that have valiantly fought and died for our country and I thank them for their brave and patriotic service and sacrifice. But, open gayness in the Military will not work, period.