Brownback issues letter around Senate commending Pace

[kevinbgoode]

And this one is rich. . .I'm cross-posting my comments from Pam's Houseblend.... http://www.pamshouseblend.com


Here is the link to the actual letter on his web site:

http://brownback.senate.gov/pressapp/record.cfm?id=270654

Brownback Sends Letter in Support of General Pace
Commends Pace's leadership, personal commitment to moral principles
Wednesday, March 14, 2007


WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Sam Brownback today circulated a letter among his Senate colleagues for signature that will be sent to President Bush in support of General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The letter will be sent to the White House tomorrow. The full text of the letter is below:

Dear Mr. President:

We write in support of General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who has recently received criticism for expressing his personal moral views.

During an interview on Sunday, while offering support for existing U.S. policies, General Pace discussed some of his personal moral convictions. These statements led to criticism from various groups and the media. Such criticism is both unfair and unfortunate.

As the highest ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces, he is duty-bound to support the policies of the United States - support which he reiterated in a statement yesterday. But we should not expect someone as qualified, accomplished and articulate as General Pace to lack personal views on important moral issues. In fact, we should expect that anyone entrusted with such great responsibility will have strong moral views. We should be concerned if they do not have strong convictions on key issues.

The moral behavior of members of the Armed Forces is of the highest importance, particularly during this time of war. The question is whether personal moral beliefs should disqualify an individual from positions of leadership in the U.S. military? We think not. General Pace's recent remarks do not deserve the criticism they have received. In fact, we applaud General Pace for maintaining a personal commitment to moral principles. He has demonstrated great leadership during a very difficult time and he continues to do so today. We look forward to his continued service as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

-30-



We need to see just which Senators are stupid enough to sign
that travesty. . .and in the meantime, we should use his words to declare Brownback's support not only for the open service of gay Americans in the military, but for the right of those same gay Americans to air their "personal moral beliefs" in a public forum at any time while wearing the uniform.

Since con-servatives only embrace the concept of free speech when it involves their abuse of a position of power to openly share their "personal" beliefs, let the discussion begin about the REAL MORAL issue here, and that is the continual denial of all the inherent rights of constitutional citizenship to gay Americans and the denial of our birthright to participate fully in the life, liberty and happiness of OUR nation.

It is time to expose the utter arrogance and complete moral bankruptcy of the position of the Right. Over and over and over and over again, we have seen their heroes, the ones who are the most vocal about expressing their "personal moral beliefs" about others repeatedly commit emotional, physical, and moral crimes. The list continues to grow with each passing week.

I call on Senator Brownback, and any other senators who sign his petition, to immediately introduce legislation granting all service members the right to speak up about any experience and atrocity they encounter in their service to this nation on the basis of their "personal moral beliefs." They shall be free to criticize their commanders, their commander-in-chief, their Congress, their tours of duty, their orders. They shall be free to openly address the media on any question which might involve their feelings about a "personal moral issue" that is of importance to this country without the interference of any other military personnel. Just as with General Pace, no one wearing the uniform of this nation should be required to withhold speaking their "personal moral beliefs" just because they may conflict with policies governing their conduct.

You see, Senator. . .when General Pace spoke out about his "personal moral beliefs" he set a new standard for military conduct. He is a citizen of this nation, just like every other American - and yes, that includes the GAY Americans, and our personal moral beliefs are just as important and as valuable and are equal to yours and General Pace's. That's how freedom works in this country, Senator, in case you've forgotten. You see, you don't EARN the right to hold "personal moral beliefs" by rising up through the ranks to certain positions. An American citizen has the right to "personal moral beliefs" as a matter of BIRTH. And now we understand that, according to you, neither our jobs nor our service to this country should prevent us from engaging in public discussion of our "personal moral beliefs" even if we are on the job.

Therefore, Senator Brownback, it is imperative that you reaffirm the citizenship of hundreds of thousands of service personnel who are, because of their status as American citizens serving this country in uniform, denied the right to freely express their "personal moral beliefs." We should expect to see you introduce this legislation immediately. I'm sure you agree that they should not be limited in their right to question policy by expressing their "personal moral beliefs" is far more important, just as it is for General Pace.

And now that we understand that the real moral issue here is your utter arrogance at assuming that only SOME Americans are allowed to use their public positions to issue opinions of "personal moral beliefs" I'm sure you will immediately also sign on to the immediate repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.

Your letter does such wonders to encourage cohesiveness to the policies of the American military, Senator.

[bullwinkle428]

1. The Republicans have such a gift of subtlety when it comes

to gay-bashing! :sarcasm: :eyes: :sarcasm: