Gen. Pace...

Gato_Solo

Gato_Solo

Out-freaking-standing OTC member
Chariman of the JCS is being lambasted for stating his opinion on homosexuality. I'm sure there are some of you who disagree, but the main issue is this...if you ask someone what their opinion is, they give it, and you do not like it, should they be forced to apologize? If you read that, make sure you vote and keep the forum posted. My vote left it 28%-71%-1.4%. We can discuss the rest either later, or in another thread...
 
You may have an opinion contrary to popular opinion only if you agree with their opinoin.

I think we should all be willing to speak freely.
 
Yeah...but by bringing it up again, he's reopened that particular can of worms. Watch it get overturned.

Then he'll wish that he'd shut up.
 
Depends if it is about Professionalism or whether it is about personal views.

... cause problems for your political masters- you get it in the arse whatever your views.

On a personal level he has every right.

:shrug:
 
Gato_Solo said:
if you ask someone what their opinion is, they give it, and you do not like it, should they be forced to apologize?
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He's not being "forced" to apologize from what I can see. In fact the article says:

Pace's senior staff members said earlier that the general was expressing his personal opinion and did not intend to apologize.

He expressed his opinion and people expressed their opinion about his opinion. Where's the problem exactly?

You want him to be able to express his opinion but everyone else has to keep theirs to themselves?
 
He's not being forced at all then.

You could demand I give you a cookie all you want but I'm going to go ahead and keep them for myself.

Demand was a word likely only used by the writer of this article. Regardless it's just their opinion that he should apologize, which they are entitled to express.
 
Gays have always served in the military. The US military has always said that homosexuality is not compatible with military service. If you want to be completely honest, it wasn't until 'Don't ask, don't tell' that this has been an issue at all. Break the regs and you're out. If Gen Pace wasn't PC in his answer, tough shit.
 
2minkey said:
um, vote? where?

he should be able to voice his personal beliefs... just like klansmen should.
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Vote on the page with the story...

And, yes. Klansmen have the right to express their opinions as well...I may not agree with their opinion, but at least I'll know what I'm dealing with, and can proceed accordingly. Nice try at baiting me, though. I believe I've stated before that I'd rather deal with a racist up front than to have him/her knife me in the back.
 
Is it not always better to know who one is dealing with...and isn't it always better that one can freely express their beliefs, no matter how un-PC they may appear? Isn't that the point of free expression?
 
Gato_Solo said:
Gays have always served in the military. The US military has always said that homosexuality is not compatible with military service. If you want to be completely honest, it wasn't until 'Don't ask, don't tell' that this has been an issue at all. Break the regs and you're out.
Click to expand...


Hopefully all that will be changing soon. As if someone's sexual preference has any relation to job performance.

A bill to repeal the anti-gay military policy known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ( DADT ) was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 28. The lead sponsor is Rep. Marty Meehan, D-Mass., and there are 109 original co-sponsors, including three Republicans.
The measure is officially known as the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2007 ( HR 1246 ) . A companion bill is expected to be introduced in the Senate in March.

“I have worked in Congress to fight this policy because I believe that for more than a decade now it has undermined our national security interests,” Meehan said at a Capitol Hill news conference introducing the measure.

Also at the news conference was Sgt. Eric Alva, likely the first soldier seriously wounded in the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Alva publicly came out as gay and in support of changing the policy.

Alva, 36, was a 12-year veteran of the Marines when he stepped on a land mine in Iraq, losing his right leg. He was awarded the Purple Heart and was visited by President and Laura Bush as well as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld during his stay at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

“Any Americans willing to serve their country shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not the government will give them fair and equal treatment when they return home,” Alva said that most of his buddies in the Marines knew that he was gay and it was never an issue for them.

Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said, “Eric’s voice represents the sacrifice of thousands of gay and lesbian service members fighting for the safety and freedom of all Americans. We believe his story should help move this issue forward and educate Congress as to why it’s so important to lift the discriminatory ban that compromises our nation’s security.”

The organization also released its annual report on the number of persons discharged under DADT. In fiscal year 2005, the most recent for which data is available, 742 men and women were kicked out. That included 49 medical personnel, 40 law enforcement officers and 14 intelligence officers, all of which are in short supply in the military.

In related news, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., blasted Defense Secretary Robert Gates for refusing his request to respond to criticism of the policy and inform the Senator of any positive effect it has had on the military and the nation’s defense.

“The Pentagon’s refusal to directly answer my questions appears to confirm that there is no military reason for the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy,” Wyden said. “The contention that this issue should not be addressed in a time of war is wrong-headed and counterproductive.”


http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=14199

If Gen Pace wasn't PC in his answer, tough shit.
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...and if Gen Pace doesn't like the response he gets for being a dumb ass, tough shit.
 
Why would it make someone nervous?

Do you mean the current system makes gays nervous about being found out? Yes, that is wrong and probably affects their job performance. We should eliminate the bigotry so they can serve without needing to hide anything.
 
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