Geez, the military is getting desparate for fresh bodies

[LynneSin]

Mind you, the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy the military inacted pretty much is a crap ass law (yeah, I know it was a Clinton law and a shitty compromise). But seriously, would conservative politicians even consider laxing the policies for Gays & Lesbians if it wasn't for the fact that the military can't get anyone to enlist.

Personally, I think the GBLT community is much more intelligent than the idiots who think this change is policy is nothing more than desparation to fill body bags in Iraq

:grr:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050614/ap_on_re_us/gays_military_3

Efforts Intensify to End Gay Soldier-Ban By DAVID CRARY, AP National Writer
Tue Jun 14, 5:41 PM ET

NEW YORK - Critics of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy are gaining new allies, including a few conservative congressmen and a West Point professor, as they press on multiple fronts to overturn the ban on out-of-the-closet gays and lesbians in the armed forces.


As part of their strategy, opponents of the policy are now highlighting the ongoing struggles of Army and Marine recruiters. The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network say in a new report that many highly trained specialists — including combat engineers and linguists — are being discharged involuntarily while the Pentagon "is facing extreme challenges in recruiting and retaining troops."

Extra Note: You do know I think overall it's about time the Military drops this policy and accept everyone who wants to enlist into the military. I just think this is super-snarky that only in the time of war & desparation would conservatives even be behind this

[marmar]

1. We want you to be able to fight and die for your country...

just don't expect to get married or be protected from discrimination in it!
Liberty and justice for all, right? :sarcasm:

[shadowknows69]

2. Its obscene

you're not people until we need to die for oil. Please see through this BS and tell shrub to go fuck himself. or at least to go fuck jeff gannon.

[DoYouEverWonder]

3. At least Gannon

can sign up now.

[unhappycamper]

4. They're so desperate the Army & NG invaded Cambridge yesterday.

I feel sorry for the kids that were hoodwinked by the guns & fun roadshow. Many Patriots also showed up. DU link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3858002&mesg_id=3858002

The indymedia link:

http://boston.indymedia.org/feature/display/38621/index.php

[Grillydad]

5. No one should have to fight BushCo.'s war

but it would be a start to have this career avenue open to anyone who wants it. Integration of the military in the 50s was a huge step toward the civil rights movement and a huge step toward legal equality. It's possible that it ould be the same for gays and lesbians.

I will have a lot of respect for the first openly gay man and lesbian who enlists. Can you imagine what the press and the wingnut idiots will put them through?

[evilkumquat]

6. It Happens Every Time

I think one will find that this sort of thing happens whenever the country is engaged in military action.

Faced with dropping enlistment numbers, this Administration and everyone who supported this illegal war will do everything they can to postpone the looming draft, even if it means dropping deeply held prejudicial beliefs. After all, this is how blacks were allowed in.

From the Civil War up to this current debacle, once the military starts feeling the pinch of rapidly dwindling personnel, command will start looking the other way when faced with the transgressions of soldiers they would have once prosecuted with small-minded, petty glee. Their attitude will be, and always has been: "If it can hold a gun, sign it."

The SECOND that we start pulling troops from Iraq (or Iran), every soldier who made his (or her) homosexual orientation known to a commanding officer will be booted. Any actual legislative changes made during this time that rescind "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and protect the status of gay troops will have a loophole allowing the Brass, upon the end of hostilities, to resume punishing people who, though willing (and allowed) to take a bullet in the chest for this country, are not allowed to take a different kind of "bullet" to the face in the privacy of their own bedrooms.

Personally, I feel it would be wonderful if the military devoted itself with the same zeal in getting itself out of Iraq as it does getting gays out of its ranks.

Evil Kumquat

[Eagle_Eye]

7. You are spot - on about the draft