Finally: Military Trades "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" For "Don't Ask Gays To Act Differently From Straights"
And Armed Forces members who've spent years or even decades hiding the most basic part of a person's life -- their partner -- are able to behave just like straight people with partners are.
Rowan Scarborough writes at the Wash Times that Brigadier General Randy S. Taylor introduced his spouse at a Pentagon event -- but it was his husband, Lucas:
"My husband Lucas is sitting up front here," Gen. Taylor said of the man in the same row as Mr. Carter, Army Secretary John McHugh and other senior officials. He said Lucas has subjugated his own career to support the general's frequent moves over an 18-year relationship."We bet everything on my Army career," said Gen. Taylor, whose 27 years of service spanned an outright ban on gays, then "don't ask, don't tell" and finally, the ban's lifting in 2011.
...Mr. Carter spoke of his commitment to equal rights, but gave no hint of whether the administration will drop the ban on transgenders and transexuals wearing the uniform.
"We need to be a meritocracy," he said. "We can't afford to close ourselves off to any body .... We must start from a position of inclusivity."
Right! Because wars are won from a "position of inclusivity"!
Radwaste at June 10, 2015 2:40 AM
"We need to be a meritocracy,"
How is relaxing the physical standards for infantry officers so you can include women working so far?
Q: How do you know a Pentagon flag officer is spouting bovine scatology?
A: Their lips are moving.
I R A Darth Aggie at June 10, 2015 5:47 AM
Also, isn't having openly gay people in the US military purposely inciteful to Muslims?
Asking for a friend.
I R A Darth Aggie at June 10, 2015 5:49 AM
For the last 15 years, it has been increasingly difficult for the military to discharge the mentally ill, especially when their mental illness manifests as a firmly held religious conviction, such as with the Foot Hood jihadi.
A friend of mine was a high ranking officer in Iraq. Had a Marine LTC working for him there who was crazy. All of the military psychiatrists told him privately the guy was nuts but none would put it in writing. Without them willing to certify it medically, the only thing he could do was send the guy back to the U.S.
Since a substantial portion of the transgender population is, in the opinion of many medical doctors, suffering from
Body dismorphic disorder, expect all standards for sanity in the military to also be thrown out, in addition to all physical strength standards, and educational and intelligence standards.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_dysmorphic_disorder
Isab at June 10, 2015 11:04 AM
"Corporal Klinger, reporting for duty!"
Jay R at June 10, 2015 1:26 PM
"Corporal Klinger, reporting for duty!"
Nice.
Jay R at June 10, 2015 1:28 PM
As a conservative, Christian, pro-traditional marriage American, I say the only thing we should be saying to gays who want to serve is "thank you."
Trust at June 10, 2015 10:31 PM
It is either a meritocracy, or an inclusivity.
Can't be both.
Jeff Guinn at June 11, 2015 10:43 PM
For the last 15 years, it has been increasingly difficult for the military to discharge the mentally ill, especially when their mental illness manifests as a firmly held religious conviction, such as with the Foot Hood jihadi.
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Boston Corbett, in 1865, shot John Wilkes Booth against orders. I have to wonder just what made the Army keep HIM before that incident, since he'd already castrated himself in 1858 out of religious fervor - and even those who didn't know that likely already knew that many had considered him "quite mad" for years.
He was a hatter and so he would likely have had mercury poisoning from his years in the trade; hatters often did go insane. However, if the Army didn't kick him out, maybe it was because they didn't want to admit that anyone so religious COULD be mentally ill - or dangerous.
http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/capitalcomment/history/the-man-who-killed-john-wilkes-booth.php
One weird thing: In the photo, he looks remarkably like a modern man, IMO, with or without the goatee.
Check out the story about his jail time for talking back to his superior.
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A friend of mine was a high ranking officer in Iraq. Had a Marine LTC working for him there who was crazy. All of the military psychiatrists told him privately the guy was nuts but none would put it in writing.
Isab
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Why was that?
lenona at June 15, 2015 9:21 AM
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