Seriously, I think if there is one thing we have learned from this past Primary Season, the media lies. Remember their depiction of Hillary as being cold, impersonal, and humorless? That is the EXACT OPPOSITE of how she appears, but it suited their purpose, just like it suits their purpose to depict conservatives as gay-bashers. John McCain is MUCH better on GLBT rights than Obama because HE walks the walk. When two of his friends in politics came out, McCain stepped in and made it clear they were still the same people they always were, and were to be treated with dignity and respect. He has not surrounded himself with homophobes the way Obama has, and then expected us to believe he was pro-GLBT people like Obama does.

IMHO, that is.

Oh, you know that has vexed me as well. I wrote abt that some time ago, that our military is taking in CRIMINALS, but kicking out West Point graduated, war decorated soldiers because they are gay or lesbian. So you can be a gangbanger and serve, but not if you’re gay. Or you can be a drug dealer. Whatever – as long as you aren’t GLB, you’re A-Okay.

And you are ABSOLUTELY right abt the increase in sexual violence within our military. It is both infuriating and saddening that it has gotten so bad, and so little is being written/done abt it.

Thank you for your comment, Witzend.

Nevertheless, here’s a little known tidbit you might appreciate. On the last day of basic training, we have a swearing-in ceremony that’s usually held by torchlight after sundown. There’s nothing quite like the sound of 500 voices (male or female) piercing the darkness with a collective “I swear,” but, for them – as for every soldier before them – it all comes together when each is given a copy of the Old Testament in one hand and a rifle in the other. The former is the history of our land and people; the latter is the means to DEFEND them. It’s not about religion, politics or power. It’s just about survival, plain and simple.

But, to the matter of your post, which has vexed me all evening. I remember reading an article a year or two ago about the U.S. military furnishing “moral waivers” to new recruits with criminal records, who make up between 10%-15% of our armed forces. So, to be clear: A soldier with a criminal record can’t be discharged, but a soldier with a criminal record who reveals s/he’s gay is finished. It gets even stranger when you factor in the estimated 1500 cases of rape or sexual assault committed annually against female service members by their fellow soldiers or officers. Call it a shot in the dark, but I’m guessing none of those perpetrators was gay.

“Stupid is as stupid does.”

Add on to his list of hates. There are many, many more.

Is “Gay Law” a tight-end that just was cut?

Or is it that the guy with the ball?

(Remembering that Hillary has the other one)…?

Also while Gen Jones has a professional poker in the fire, why is he speaking for the Joint Chiefs or Sec Def?

Why is it that anyone in their right mind would think BO was going to DO ANYTHING for the GLBT community? Especially when he sat in a church for twenty years that spared no expense to cap on Gay people? Or the Fact that the TUCC gay chior director was shot execusion style, case remaining unsolved and did BO say anything about it? Nope.

That’s a false theory that has been perpetuated by the media. You know, the same media that called Hillary a racist and call all Republicans born again Christians and gay haters.
THAT IS A LIE, people.

It’s one thing for Dems to do nothing on gay rights. But to try to punish Palin with her religious base for not being virulently anti-gay! Biden actively hurt gay rights for his own benefit. He got away with it because so many of us were blinded by ‘I Hate Sarah Palin.’

Well, THAT explains everything, doesn’t it?

And I agree – Obama’s hemming and hawing abt what to do in Afghanistan, after all of the stuff he said while he was campaigning abt listening to the generals, blah, blah, blah, to now, with our soldiers dying there now. Unconscionable.

Thanks again, Witzend – moving story. You and your family have certainly done more than your share in military service. Wow.

And Ferd, thank you for your service to our country.

But of course it wouldn’t be profitable for these two parties if people started viewing them in shades of gray, instead of an evil versus good type of thinking.