Military putting anti-gay stance ahead of National security

[corksean]

Military Has Discharged 26 Gay Linguists

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The number of Arabic linguists discharged from the military for violating its ``don't ask, don't tell'' policy is higher than previously reported, according to records obtained by a research group.

The group contends the records show that the military - at a time when it and U.S. intelligence agencies don't have enough Arabic speakers - is putting its anti-gay stance ahead of national security.

Between 1998 and 2004, the military discharged 20 Arabic and six Farsi speakers, according to Department of Defense data obtained by the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military under a Freedom of Information Act request.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4731782,00.html

[joeybee12]

1. Gee, I feel safe!

And yet another article that contains real news that we have to go overseas to get.

[Deja Q]

2. No comment.

[AndyTiedye]

3. This is Mindbogglingly Stupid of Them

They face a critical shortage of translators, yet they throw them out
if they say they are gay.

With stop-loss, it may be the only way to get out of the military now.

[mslux]

4. We wouldn't want our military committing

any sexual perversions. Oh wait, Ab Graib.

[bemildred]

5. National security is not at risk, and this proves it.

If the US was really threatened, these folks sexual orientation would
be overlooked in a heartbeat.

[kweerwolf]

6. Here's the crux of the issue for me

``I looked at myself and said, `Are you willing to go to war with an institution that won't recognize that you have the right to live as you want to,''' said Finkenbinder, 22, who now lives in Baltimore.
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That's why I thought the whole 'gays in the military' issue was such a losing issue to hang hopes on when Clinton came to office in '92 (promising to get rid of the military ban and then pulling a Kerry and opting for the worthless 'don't ask, don't tell' policy). It just seems supremely ironic that anyone who's gay or lesbian would want to serve a country that denies their basic civil rights.

[bpilgrim]

7. rummy got the computers all over it

http://images.globalfreepress.com

peace

[Moderator]

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Military Has Discharged 26 Gay Linguists

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