James T. Conway, Marine, Leads Fight To Keep "Don't Ask Don't Tell"

The Washington Times:

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James T. Conway has emerged in internal Pentagon deliberations as the most outspoken opponent of permitting gay men and women to serve openly in the U.S. 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, especially in the middle of two wars that have put extra stress on the military, down to the platoon level, where soldiers and Marines would be expected to bond with openly gay colleagues.

Read the whole story: The Washington Times

Comments

[johnoconnor]

I was a marine infantryman in Vietnam. Life in the field, esp watching during the night, would have been more uncomfortable if sexual factors had been introduced, either by having women or gays at close quarters.

[Grada3784]

You had them back then too. You just didn't have to admit to it.

Then when the wars ended the gay veteran was trashed by his comrades in arms.

Imagine all the ugliness that has been rumored about the homecoming in Vietnam being handed to you by the guy you served next to.

[Rosewood1923]

Mass hysteria and hissy fits proves you're unfit to serve. Semper fi Gen Conway--it's unfortunate that our Commander-in-Chief has never served in uniform. If he had, he'd be less inclined to force this social experiment upon the men and women who serve honorably and deserve better. God bless you and thank you for your service and courage.

[Silas Barnaby]

Well said.

[wzak]

Repeal DADT now as it is too much of a distraction. Just have the military issue razor blades so the sweeatpeas who find the "easy out door" closed will have other "get out" options when they find military life not conducive to their lifestyle.

[enhancedvibes]

There was a lot of hate on the Washington Times board this article came from. Real men are not threatened by other people's sexuality, period.

[gaydm]

Make DADT EQUALLY apply to heterosexual and homosexual service men and women. No married people, no sex, no talking about sex, no children. I did not hire any of you to join my military to have sex. If you have enough time own your hands to even think about sex, then maybe we need to find you some more work to do.
I seriously doubt the good jar-head general would even have the nuts to live up to what he would have us gays live up to.

[wzak]

Yeah, enlisting for REMF linquist, admin, high tech or finger waive medical fields is so much more ballsy than being a grunt. Of course as activist themselves will admit that lesbians far outnumber male homosexuals, we can't really discuss the impact on the "combat" forces.

[ajax2]

You just know this guy came dressed to the Gannon/Rove WH parties.

[juanjo]

Gen. Conway is just upset because his marines keep getting exposure on gay porn sites regularly.

[RoveRoveRoveYourBoat]

To ALL authoritarians the sub-consience model of a strong father figure
is fundimental to their thought process.
This is the sub-consience basis of their gay loathing.
Conservatives are hard-wired to believe:
****Morality is Obedience to Authority****
They actively seek that authority, that Legitimate Father Figure
as a definition of their own goodness.
This gay, antimodel father figure is also the relevent subconsience reaction
when they do not see a black man, Obama, as a Legitimate Father Figure either.
Read George Lakoff's new book: "The Political Mind" and
John Dean's "Conservatives without Consience" and
Thomas Frank for insight into how the conservative mind (functions).

[enhancedvibes]

Or if you dont want to read these books just google Jonathan Haidt and and his theory of Moral Psychology.

[RoveRoveRoveYourBoat]

...thanks for the link. fanned

[widdles]

He must feel threatened by his own sexuality!

[RoveRoveRoveYourBoat]

...we invaded and occupy two countries
Not a war...never was!

[aftershock]

"Not a war...never was!"

Thank god someone else realizes this!! I try to explain to people we're not "at war" and it just flies over their heads.

[RoveRoveRoveYourBoat]

Thanking god doesn't help...never has!
As long as the polititians, clergy, media and historians continue to frame the discussion in light of "american exceptionalism" we are doomed to seek security through oppression sales job.

[Knowbetter]

Yep, that's us.

[1will]

A survey in the Military Times found that up to 10% of those in the military would get out at the end of their enlistment if gays were allowed to serve openly. You gain a few troops in one demographic and lose even more experienced military men and women. This is a losing proposition.

[aftershock]

Empty threats. They said the same when we integrated blacks and whites, and (not) shockingly, only a handful of the amount who threatened to do so actually left. Polls find overwhelming support for repealing DADT, from both thew military and civilian populations, the 10% will learn to live.

[1will]

You can make a poll say whatever you want. I would like to see the research method behind these polls. If you're taking a survey on a college campus or gay bar then you'll get one result. If you are taking your poll at the VFW then it will swing the other way. I suspect those that support a repeal of DADT cook the books to get the numbers they want.
I work with many ex military and also have a few current reservists around. No one wants a repeal of DADT. I'll grant that my small circle of ( about a dozen or so) military friends is not a scientific survey but you would think at least on of them would support allowing gays to serve openly if the poll numbers truly lean that way.

[cordyc]

Guess this guy is the leader of the Evangelical Xtain soldiers who are all to common in our military. They have no respect for anybody unless they join the cult. Maybe it's time for them to go.

Also consider the source for this story, the Washington Times. The propaganda arm of Rev. Moon and his cult of brainwashed xtains.

[Coinyer101]

His hat looks gay.....,

[rf dude]

Mebbe the General could use a dash less " fabulous " in his wardrobe selection...

[respected]

Here is something for him to work on:

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/11/military_veterans... /