The British army took a remarkable and commendable step this month by featuring Trooper James Wharton, an openly gay soldier. While U.S. military officers continue to fret over gays in the military and discharge decorated heroes for their private relations, the British has shown that tough guys can be gay guys.
The British Army, one of the finest military forces in the world, has allowed openly gay and lesbian soldiers to serve and even march in Gay Rights parades in uniform. Recently, Army General Sir Richard Dannatt made history when he became the first army chief to address a Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender conference.
Our military could once again learn a few things from our English cousins. Likewise, President Obama should stop playing politics with the issue and stand on principle by doing away with the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. The British have shown that this was nothing to do with military readiness or unit cohesion. It is about prejudice disguised as principle by politicians who would rather discharge heroes than fight for their right to serve their nation.
For the full story, click here.
“I introduced an amendment to H.R. 3326, now withdrawn, prohibiting the use of funds in this bill to investigate or discharge our dedicated service men and women on the grounds of ‘telling’ their sexual orientation. The Policy Concerning Homosexuality in the Armed Forces – commonly called ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ – provides that a service member can be separated from the Armed Forces for stating that he or she is a homosexual or bisexual. Due to pressure from some of my Congressional colleagues and from the White House, I have withdrawn my amendment. I would, however, like to note that it is most unfortunate that we are not addressing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell at this time. We should not be appropriating funds to enable qualified service members to be booted out just because they are honest about whom they are.
Due to pressure from some of my Congressional colleagues and from the White House Due to pressure from some of my Congressional colleagues and from the White House
Due to pressure from some of my Congressional colleagues and from the White House Due to pressure from some of my Congressional colleagues and from the White House
http://alceehastings.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=348&Itemid=98
bdaman,
That one is at least 50years old? It was awful and unfunny when it was new and age hasn’t made it any better.
predilection sounds deli-ish-she-o-so. How bout this in case you missed it.
If Pakistan attacks Turkey from the rear, would Greece Help?
“was to go wrong they might leave thier buddies behind.”
Really sophisticated stereotyping we’ve got there. One wonders if the predilection for such humor is symptomatic of deep seated fears by the humorist of their own sexuality?
“I thought the 4-5-6 were much better than average.”
Buddha,
Agreed with this and with your post in toto. Now back to the thread, although I frankly find talking SF more fun.
bdaman:
“Foo you answered your own question, unit cohesion. Any time other men are cohesionning there units, they can not be preforming thier duties. In which if something was to go wrong they might leave thier buddies behind.”
no one will ever accuse you of political correctness. very funny!
Mike,
My only quibble with that is what you see as bluster from the 4-5-6, I saw as initially confusion (previous dealings had been made) followed by an addict’s anger at realizing he/she/it is being told not only no, but Hell no. The way it was presented, I think both interpretations have merit. I can see your take on what the “real” story was and actually I completely agree as to the focus of the action. It was clearly a McGuffin story. In someways, Torchwood themselves were McGuffin’s in the political intrigue sub-plot. Seeing the PM get told that “I paid a visit to Lois Habiba” was indeed the sweetest scene in the show. THAT gal (I forget her name, Frobisher’s assistant) was a shark. Always eating, never stops swimming. The PM didn’t have a chance once she realized what Frobisher was up to at the end. I’ll have to say I was impressed by the presentation and transformation of Frobisher. He was much more three dimensional than many “spy boss” characters. I am just prone to be a nitpicker on aliens as they are rarely well done. I thought the 4-5-6 were much better than average.
Buddha,
The reaction of the 4-5-6 Ambassador to the initial refusal and then Captain Jacks refusal was clearly portrayed as being stunned a sit kept repeating “You’ve done it before.” This to me connotes bluff. It’s like the guy who robs the same 7-11 twice and is dumbfounded when the third time around he’s facing the owner’s shotgun. The 60’s reaction in Britain led the 4-5-6 to believe, despite the granted psychological differences, that extortion works with humans. The deference in building the containment contraption also reinforced this. The threat in the building worked because the humans had built the containment area to their specifications and presumably there was a mechanism to release the poison. To give an alien species 10% of our children/adults/dolphins on demand would mean the end of human civilization, since within the story’s parameters the universe is teeming with intelligent life. Once the word spreads that we are patsies it’s all over. Some times you gotta roll the dice and/or call the bluff.
In truth all of that 4-5-6 plot was what Hitchcock called the “McGuffin,” a plot device to drive the story. To me the story was the ruthlessness of people in government, especially where state secrets are concerned; the ego driven cowardice of politicians who seek deniability; the star crossed love of Jack and Ianto; Jacks immortality and the implications of his inhumanity due to it; Gwen,the moral center and real kickass of Torchwood and the love of her and Rhys, which is also interesting given that she is the tough one of the pair;
Johnson’s growth from a monster to human; Frobisher’s collapsing as the PM uses him and discards him; and finally the PM’s resemblance to many who occupy seats of power and really believe it’s all about them.
That’s my take, which I don’t offer as better or more logical than yours. I’d never be a great critic because I react viscerally to movies, TV Drama and plays. I’m a character driven kind of guy and lose myself to a degree into the story while it’s on. I cry a lot, or get enrage as the case may be.
Listen I’m so emotional in that regard that I’ve been know to cry at the end of The Little Mermaid and romantic comedy’s. My family and friends make gentle fun of me, but I guess it makes me endearing in some way.
I was thrilled by Taken, glad you liked it, because Liam killed every last one of the deserving bastards, that made it emotionally satisfying for me. When he got his daughter back home, having shown Mom and Stepdad his value I got choked up. To think it was you who said at one point that I’m one of the nicest guys around, that’s on true in respect to normal people, I am ruthless in my dislike for bad people, of course as I define them.