Comments on The Gist: Pentagon brass debating whether or not "don't ask,...

I have a cousin serving in the UK military in Afgh...

2007-05-22T13:31:24.574-04:00

I have a cousin serving in the UK military in Afghanistan. He says there have been no problems serving alongside openly gay soldiers. The Royal Navy and air force actively recruit at Gay pride parades as Michael accurately states. We're so regressive in this country and need to get with it and join the 21st century. How would the military react if the supposed 65,000 Gay service members suddenly decided to leave en masse in protest against DADT? I guess the rest could manage nicely without us or maybe it would advance the push to bring all of our military home, sooner rather than later.

As for Michaels reference to Civil Unions (called Civil Partnerships in the UK), these partnership mirror all the rights and privileges of marriage without the name. There is a buzz going on over there that eventually, Civil Partnership will be merged into the Marriage Causes Act of 1973 which will in fact deem these partnerships as marriages. Surprisingly, there was little resistance by the state church to enact Civil Partnerships legislation, in fact it was done in rather a quick and timely manner with a majority of the UK public supporting passage, amazing in a way and say what you will about Tony Blair, its thanks to him that this happened.

In January, Gen. John M. Shalikashvili: A military...

2007-05-21T14:34:03.788-04:00

In January, Gen. John M. Shalikashvili: A military already stretched thin, he said, “must welcome the service of any American who is willing and able to do the job.”

This is pretty offensive. So gays are only useful as a last resort when they are down to the dregs. The statement itself would be outrageous if used to relate to recruitment of Blacks, think about it.

For once, it may be the case that US military bras...

2007-05-21T13:32:22.847-04:00

For once, it may be the case that US military brass can accomplish something that would not lead to cries of SNAFU. Israel can do it; the UK can do it; are American soldiers so much more jumpy than our allies on this issue--or is it just the phobias of the brass?

Alexander the Great--considered to be one of histo...

2007-05-21T11:04:13.552-04:00

Alexander the Great--considered to be one of history's most brilliant generals--was gay.

The Sacred Band of Thebes--consisting of 150 pairs of warrior lovers--was considered to be one of the fiercest and most successful armies ever to have existed.

America: Don't ask, don't tell.

Go figure.