Don't ask Don't tell - In the News

Kasandra · 11-03-2009, 12:28 PM

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_651154.html

Gen. James T. Conway, Marine Corps commandant, has emerged in internal Pentagon deliberations as the most outspoken opponent of permitting gay men and women to serve openly in the military, according to a former senior Pentagon official.

Most of the senior brass hold deep reservations about President Obama's pledge to end the ban on gays in the military.

But Conway has gone further than others in stating his opposition to a change in policy, according to the former official, who has been privy to private conversations on the matter.

"He feels very strongly that (removing the ban) would be disruptive, and he opposes it," the former official said.

Conway's private remarks stand in contrast to public utterances by other service chiefs, who have restricted themselves to repeating a well-rehearsed mantra: If Congress changes the law, they will follow the law.

Conway is the only chief known to have actively surveyed his generals on the impact of removing the ban. His spokesman, Maj. David Nevers, declined to discuss the commandant's communications.

The military's long-held ban on gay service members, enacted first as a regulation and later as law, is based on the belief that the presence of openly gay personnel would disrupt unit cohesion.

The House Armed Services Committee will not hold a hearing on a repeal bill until the winter or spring, meaning the earliest floor vote would not come before the middle of 2010. Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee plan a hearing before Congress goes on recess this year, but none is scheduled to date. The White House has not submitted a repeal bill to the Hill.

jennypage · 11-03-2009, 12:42 PM

So, what? Him and his "conversations" were with a bunch of homophobes? I really don't give a **** if it makes them uncomfortable. Get over it.

Gillian_Angela · 11-03-2009, 12:45 PM

I actually got into a fight with a guy I work with that is a retired col over this. His justification for the ban was that the military recruits from middle america where lots conservatives and homophobes live

...............it's all bull**** really. I don't believe there should be a ban

steph23 · 11-03-2009, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by jennypage

So, what? Him and his "conversations" were with a bunch of homophobes? I really don't give a **** if it makes them uncomfortable. Get over it.

well said

BubMunkeyBles · 11-03-2009, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by jennypage

So, what? Him and his "conversations" were with a bunch of homophobes? I really don't give a **** if it makes them uncomfortable. Get over it.

Aunt Sponge · 11-03-2009, 12:50 PM

I don't see the "comfort" level issue like they're putting it forward.

Reinforce anti-harassment measures.
Reinforce the dress code and other standards.

*shrug* other than ensuring that everyone leaves eachother alone and no one wears bright pink wigs - i don't see what else needs to be done.

sconk · 11-03-2009, 01:06 PM

I am personally for the ban, but that's just my opinion. I do know a friend of ours just picked up SSgt and he said he will NOT reenlist if the ban is removed!! He said if a guy shows up to PT in a skirt he's done

. If they do remove th ban then their will be uniform regulations so I don't think we will have guys showing up to PT in skirts!

Anyways I don't know everybody has their opinions I guess.

eelo · 11-03-2009, 01:08 PM

Originally Posted by sconk

I am personally for the ban, but that's just my opinion. I do know a friend of ours just picked up SSgt and he said he will NOT reenlist if the ban is removed!! He said if a guy shows up to PT in a skirt he's done

. If they do remove th ban then their will be uniform regulations so I don't think we will have guys showing up to PT in skirts!

Anyways I don't know everybody has their opinions I guess.

Your friend is ignorant.

sconk · 11-03-2009, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by eelo

Your friend is ignorant.

I don't see how that is ignorant. He just said he don't wanna see other guys junk while he is at PT!!

Mrz. Robinson · 11-03-2009, 01:11 PM

I wish they would drop the ban. Its so silly we have great men/women in the military who do a great job fighting for our country. So what if they are GAY. WHAT doesn that really mean. Nothing just a way a person decides to live their life.

Like I said before I'm all for it because if they find out someone is gay, they kick them out and they may loose all they have worked for which is soo wrong.

So hell yea drop the ban!!!

11-03-2009, 12:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
Kasandra Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Southern Utah/Okinawa, Japan Posts: 584 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 86% Longevity: 1%	Don't ask Don't tell http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_651154.html Gen. James T. Conway, Marine Corps commandant, has emerged in internal Pentagon deliberations as the most outspoken opponent of permitting gay men and women to serve openly in the military, according to a former senior Pentagon official. Most of the senior brass hold deep reservations about President Obama's pledge to end the ban on gays in the military. But Conway has gone further than others in stating his opposition to a change in policy, according to the former official, who has been privy to private conversations on the matter. "He feels very strongly that (removing the ban) would be disruptive, and he opposes it," the former official said. Conway's private remarks stand in contrast to public utterances by other service chiefs, who have restricted themselves to repeating a well-rehearsed mantra: If Congress changes the law, they will follow the law. Conway is the only chief known to have actively surveyed his generals on the impact of removing the ban. His spokesman, Maj. David Nevers, declined to discuss the commandant's communications. The military's long-held ban on gay service members, enacted first as a regulation and later as law, is based on the belief that the presence of openly gay personnel would disrupt unit cohesion. The House Armed Services Committee will not hold a hearing on a repeal bill until the winter or spring, meaning the earliest floor vote would not come before the middle of 2010. Democrats on the Senate Armed Services Committee plan a hearing before Congress goes on recess this year, but none is scheduled to date. The White House has not submitted a repeal bill to the Hill. __________________

11-03-2009, 12:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gillian_Angela protestant ethos with vestiges of communitarianism... Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 11,682 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 41% Longevity: 37%	I actually got into a fight with a guy I work with that is a retired col over this. His justification for the ban was that the military recruits from middle america where lots conservatives and homophobes live ...............it's all bull**** really. I don't believe there should be a ban __________________ She beseeches Him, she will not desist, and when God points to the hands and feet of her Son, nailed to the Cross, and asks, 'How can I forgive His tormentors?' she bids all the saints, all the martyrs, all the angels and archangels to fall down with her and pray for mercy on all without distinction. It ends by her winning from God a respite of suffering every year from Good Friday till Trinity day, and the sinners at once raise a cry of thankfulness from Hell, chanting, 'Thou art just, O Lord, in this judgment.'-The Brothers Karamazov, Fyodor Dostoevsky

11-03-2009, 12:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
Aunt Sponge Darkly Dreaming Dexter Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Arkansas Posts: 10,270 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 61% Longevity: 38%	I don't see the "comfort" level issue like they're putting it forward. Reinforce anti-harassment measures. Reinforce the dress code and other standards. shrug other than ensuring that everyone leaves eachother alone and no one wears bright pink wigs - i don't see what else needs to be done. __________________

11-03-2009, 01:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
sconk engaged to my hero Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Cherry Point Posts: 935 Blog Entries: 1 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 79% Longevity: 16%	I am personally for the ban, but that's just my opinion. I do know a friend of ours just picked up SSgt and he said he will NOT reenlist if the ban is removed!! He said if a guy shows up to PT in a skirt he's done . If they do remove th ban then their will be uniform regulations so I don't think we will have guys showing up to PT in skirts! Anyways I don't know everybody has their opinions I guess. __________________

11-03-2009, 01:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mrz. Robinson LIVING IN GERMANY AND LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT Join Date: May 2009 Location: VILSECK GERMANY Posts: 1,797 Blog Entries: 2 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 94% Longevity: 9%	I wish they would drop the ban. Its so silly we have great men/women in the military who do a great job fighting for our country. So what if they are GAY. WHAT doesn that really mean. Nothing just a way a person decides to live their life. Like I said before I'm all for it because if they find out someone is gay, they kick them out and they may loose all they have worked for which is soo wrong. So hell yea drop the ban!!! __________________ He said will you be MINE 4eva Of Course I Replied YES!!

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11-03-2009, 12:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
jennypage Hating the world one asshole at a time.... Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: ME: Roy, Washington HIM: iraqistack Posts: 19,694 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 72% Longevity: 33%	So, what? Him and his "conversations" were with a bunch of homophobes? I really don't give a **** if it makes them uncomfortable. Get over it.