The General Pace gaffe
I have to confess I'm baffled by General Peter Pace's remarks concerning the "immorality" of homosexuality and its consequent inadmissibility in the US armed forces. They are positively senseless on several grounds, namely,
--Homosexuality is a biological fact. Biological facts are neither moral or immoral. They are just that, facts.
--those who believe homosexuality IS immoral despite the facts base their beliefs on the old testament of the Christian bible. In case no one has noticed, this is a very diverse country with an accordingly diverse set of religious beliefs. Why should the entire country and everyone who wishes to serve it in the armed forces be held hostage to the beliefs of a few individuals, beliefs that are not grounded in fact? And what is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff doing in that responsible job when he refuses to acknowledge established facts? Well, maybe that isn't so strange, considering the faith-based administration he serves...
--Reports indicate that some 50 Arabic linguists have been forced out of the service because of their sexual orientation. And there are how many people proficient in Arabic in the Green Zone? 5 or 6? The last time I checked, linguists can be pretty valuable in an area that's full of bad guys who wish American citizens and soldiers ill. And I don't think morality or immorality or anyone's personal beliefs factor into the equation when you can help soldiers read insurgent graffiti or make friends for this country in respectful dealings with Iraqi citizens.
It seems to be that our modern-day Nero will have to move over temporarily, because there are plenty of fiddlers like General Pace who want to join him as Baghdad/Kabul/_______(insert critical language country here)burns. Like I said, just baffling.
--Homosexuality is a biological fact. Biological facts are neither moral or immoral. They are just that, facts.
--those who believe homosexuality IS immoral despite the facts base their beliefs on the old testament of the Christian bible. In case no one has noticed, this is a very diverse country with an accordingly diverse set of religious beliefs. Why should the entire country and everyone who wishes to serve it in the armed forces be held hostage to the beliefs of a few individuals, beliefs that are not grounded in fact? And what is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff doing in that responsible job when he refuses to acknowledge established facts? Well, maybe that isn't so strange, considering the faith-based administration he serves...
--Reports indicate that some 50 Arabic linguists have been forced out of the service because of their sexual orientation. And there are how many people proficient in Arabic in the Green Zone? 5 or 6? The last time I checked, linguists can be pretty valuable in an area that's full of bad guys who wish American citizens and soldiers ill. And I don't think morality or immorality or anyone's personal beliefs factor into the equation when you can help soldiers read insurgent graffiti or make friends for this country in respectful dealings with Iraqi citizens.
It seems to be that our modern-day Nero will have to move over temporarily, because there are plenty of fiddlers like General Pace who want to join him as Baghdad/Kabul/_______(insert critical language country here)burns. Like I said, just baffling.
posted by buckarooskidoo at 1:10 PM
2 Comments:
This reminds me of a line in the movie Victor/Victoria when Mr. Bernstein comes to the suite where "Victor" and Toddy are staying to say that King Marchand's mob partner is threatening King to sell his part of the "club" for one tenth of what the club was worth and Toddy says something along the lines of "kill them but musn't kiss them".
Wow, sad where the military's priorities are. We desparately need Arabic interpreter but not if their gay? Sounds like a ignorant rhetoric to me.
It's not just the translators. This morning's Post noted that over 40 medical personnel have been forced out of the military because they're gay. Taking away desparately needed medical help is the right thing to do?
Remind me again about how this administration "supports the troops"?
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