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DEL.ICIO.USBarr on gays in the military: ‘Maybe it’s time to rethink the conservative position’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We missed it, so maybe you did, too. But last week, former Georgia congressman Bob Barr , in a piece for the Wall Street Journal, suggested that it might be time for Republicans to rethink the issue of gays in the military — and that “don’t ask, don’t tell” has the look of a tired chestnut.
Says Barr:
The bottom line here is that, with nearly a decade and a half of the hybrid “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy to guide us, I have become deeply impressed with the growing weight of credible military opinion which concludes that allowing gays to serve openly in the military does not pose insurmountable problems for the good order and discipline of the services.
The ban has put a strain on the military, says the man who helped lead the impeachment of President Bill Clinton:
The U.S. has fired over 11,000 people under the current policy, and in the process has lost over 1,000 service members with “mission-critical skills,” including 58 Arabic linguists. Researchers at the UCLA School of Law have found that lifting the ban could increase the number of active-duty personnel by over 40,000.
And the military itself is getting more comfortable with the issue, Barr maintains:
Three-quarters of returning Iraq and Afghanistan vets said in a December 2006 Zogby poll that they are “personally comfortable” interacting with gay people. A majority of those who knew someone gay in their unit said the person’s presence had no negative impact on unit morale.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Phillip
June 18, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this
This issue can be boiled down to this: Do you want a stronger military? If so then stop kicking out Arabic speaking Americans because they are gay. Homophobia makes us weaker.
By Sam
June 18, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this
That’s what this country needs; big strong greased up sissies to defend us.
I’m sure John Wayne is spinning in his grave now.
You wait, I’m calling Will Jones and he’ll tell you a thing or two about Bob Barr’s crazy idea.
PS. This “don’t ask - don’t tell” concept was incorrectly applied. It was originally intended only for Hillary & Bill Clinton marital relationship in the White House.
By Sam
June 18, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this
That’s what this country needs; big strong greased up sissies to defend us.
I’m sure John Wayne is spinning in his grave now.
You wait, I’m calling Will Jones and he’ll tell you a thing or two about Bob Barr’s crazy idea.
PS. This “don’t ask - don’t tell” concept was incorrectly applied. It was originally intended only for Hillary & Bill Clinton’s marital relationship in the White House.
By Earl
June 18, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this
Bob Barr quotes a Zogby poll which cites:
…”three quarters of returning Iraqi war vets are personally comfortable interacting with gay people”
What the hell is going on in Baghdad? Cold desert nights in a sandy foxhole?
This is what happens when our American boys are not allowed to peek under Iraqi girls’ burkas!
Thank God the mamasans never had to cover up!
By Will Jones
June 18, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this
“Trigger-happy” Bob Barr, another Vietnam-era Law School-as-Draft-Dodge politician, says “Americans want strong, moral leadership” and speaks to homosexuals’ military service while remaining noticeably silent concerning the draft-dodger-in-Chief’s obvious homosexuality:
James Guckert, a $200/hour male homosexual prostitute using the name “Jeff Gannon” signed in at the White House “social entrance” to “enjoy” Bush’s company 202 times in a two year period.
“Moral leadership” Barr has yet to point out another obvious truth: Bush committed 9-11. Methinks they’re “birds of feather” in the fascist bi-partisan plutocracy and that America needs a Capitol purge.
By MoralMajor
June 18, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this
What’s going on in our country? This is decadence. We don’t really need sissy elements in our Army. If we really want to be “Army-strong” we need to go back to the old scheme. War is for real men, not for appeasing weirdos with politically-correct nonsense.
By J.Woods San Diego
June 18, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this
The vast majority of respondents to this story spew the same tired, ingnorant and thoughtless opinions that have plagued our nation for too long. I am a young (41) year old recently retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant that served in Desert Shield/Storm, Enduring Freedom and two tours in Iraq. Not to mention many deployments between and a highly successful tour on recruiting duty. I was a professionaland that is what anyone judges you on. I do not fit a stereotype and never had a problem with my sexuality. I am humbled and amazed by the intelligence of today’s Armed Forces. The numbers don’t lie, most people dont have a problem with it. Ignorant people will never take away the honor that I had to serve as a U.S. Marine.
By Will Jones
June 18, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
If America’s military culture were dominated by righteous men who came from or understood what a good and proper family teaches and knows, the rank and file, and particularly the Officer Corps, would be unwilling to ignore their sworn duty to The Constitution now being defiled by the homosexual-dominated White House, Congress and military academies.
The otherwise disciplined, valorous and patriotic, in a corrected circumstance, should be permitted to serve honorably…and extremely discreetly.
Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
By J.Woods San Diego
June 19, 2007 1:48 AM | Link to this
Re: Will Jones… First of all, there ARE many righteous men AND women serving in the military. You seem to completely ignore the reality of America and the world today. While you are certainly right to practice your religion as you see fit. That right does not extend to enforcing those values on other members of a democracy. The US Constitution is the LAW! Not one of the republican candidates support lifting DADT. Guilliani said that rehatching this debate during a war is not appropriate, a seemingly perpetual war by the way. Never mind the Americans serving in harms way right now that happen to be gay and the effect this policy has on our arabic linguist ability. Personally, I prefer living in a Democracy rather than a theocracy. I have spent too much time in places where religion and law are one. Religious fundamentalism is dangerous, be it muslim or christian.
By Craig also
June 19, 2007 5:52 AM | Link to this
The very first soldier injured in the Iraq war was gay. Those who would toss around the word “sissy”, while sitting in the safety of their office typing into a computer, ought to rethink their words.
By Anonymous
June 19, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this
If they could think, Craig, they wouldn’t be tossing around such idiotic comments in the first place.
By Will Jones
June 19, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this
The Oath requires us to “protect the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic.” Bush committed 9-11 to take us to false war for Roman Catholic/Rockefeller BIG OIL and fascist plutocracy. Where are the righteous active duty officers who are yet speaking out? Can one be “righteous” and afraid, delusional or unintelligent? There is no excuse for Bush’s treason to be ignored by those who have taken The Oath.
Those who wish to serve in harm’s way for an unrighteous cause are sick. Dysfunctional mentalities should not be trusted in the Armed Forces or government service. Bush’s not-so-secret homosexuality is prima facie evidence of his proven propensity to abomination and treason. Truth and justice are key principles for the American Dream to exist. The truth is that Bush is a hypocrite, traitor, liar, and pervert. Any who support his Mammon-worshipping faction are cursed. America must free itself of their curse by bringing them to justice for the known crimes they have committed…that The People know itself to seek goodness and righteousness.
Hence - Annuit Coeptis. The only religion I preach is “Americanism.” Only true Americans should be permitted to serve in public office that reason and wisdom prevail.
Those who have stolen our honor and treasure must be charged for the treason we all know they committed on 9-11 followed by a false war which has cost the lives of 3600 Americans and many thousands of other innocents. Their assets, and those of the Fifth Column supporting them, must be confiscated and their lives ended in obedience to the Law and common sense.
That Bush, Rove, and Cheney conduct their lives traitorously and dishonorably is a given. Their embrace of perversion, while not a reason, in and of itself for condemnation, is more than certain a mark of their confusion and moral treachery born of a need to sublimate and “overcome” unrectified dysfunction.
P.S. Women were admitted to West Point to diffuse an unadressed scandal involving homosexuals who were initially kicked out and then readmitted due to pressure from gay/toupee-wearing Capitol Hill. Any woman wishing to serve in the Combat Arms says everything about her upbringing and stage of emotional/spiritual development.