Army fired 11 soldiers in Jan. as openly gay

[one...two...tree 2,762]

By ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – The Army fired 11 soldiers in January for violating the military's policy that gay service members must keep their sexuality hidden, according to a Virginia congressman.

Democratic Rep. Jim Moran said he has requested monthly updates from the Pentagon on the impact of the policy until it is repealed. In a statement released on Thursday, Moran said the discharged soldiers included an intelligence collector, a military police officer, four infantry personnel, a health care specialist, a motor-transport operator and a water-treatment specialist.

"How many more good soldiers are we willing to lose due to a bad policy that makes us less safe and secure?" asked Moran, a member of the House panel that oversees military spending.

The Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy was instituted after President Bill Clinton tried to lift the ban on gay service members in 1993. It refers to the military practice of not asking recruits their sexual orientation. In turn, service members are banned from saying they are gay or bisexual, engaging in homosexual activity or trying to marry a member of the same sex.

The military discharged nearly 10,000 service members under the policy in a 10-year period, from 1997 to 2007. The number fired each year dropped sharply after the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan, when forces were stretched thin. Whereas more than 1,200 were dismissed in 2000 and 2001 for violating the policy, about half as many — 627 — were fired in 2007.

The Pentagon has not released its 2008 figures.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090312/ap_on_...e/gays_military

[Ban Hammer 13,355]

this is what happens when they violate policy.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

this is what happens when they violate policy.

Policy schmolicy...don't tell me that all violations of policies are punished. It's a bad policy.

[Ban Hammer 13,355]

this is what happens when they violate policy.

Policy schmolicy...don't tell me that all violations of policies are punished. It's a bad policy.

so you're saying clinton was wrong?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

this is what happens when they violate policy.

Policy schmolicy...don't tell me that all violations of policies are punished. It's a bad policy.

so you're saying clinton was wrong?

It was a step in the right direction, but a policy which is now outdated and wrong.

[JODO 2]

Well I guess that recruitment shortage must be over, probably is with this recession. Well if this is the case, why didn't some of the soldiers who objected to going to Iraq just say they were gay? It seems they would have just been unceremoniously discharged.

[Ban Hammer 13,355]

this is what happens when they violate policy.

Policy schmolicy...don't tell me that all violations of policies are punished. It's a bad policy.

so you're saying clinton was wrong?

It was a step in the right direction, but a policy which is now outdated and wrong.

the policy isn't that old, for you to term it outdated.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

11? I am sure the Army has lots more, no worries.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Good point, JODO.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

11? I am sure the Army has lots more, no worries.

Lots more what? Gay people?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

11? I am sure the Army has lots more, no worries.

Lots more what? Gay people?

Yeah. Have you read the threads on VJ replete with ex-mil types raving on about their phallic obsessions (guns)? I have. Even a ghey in the closet is a ghey.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

11? I am sure the Army has lots more, no worries.

Lots more what? Gay people?

Yeah. Have you read the threads on VJ replete with ex-mil types raving on about their phallic obsessions (guns)? I have. Even a ghey in the closet is a ghey.

What's wrong with bragging about your guns? It's what manly men do.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

What do you think the obsession with gauge is really all about?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

What do you think the obsession with gauge is really all about?

Maybe there is some underlying eroticism tied with someone's fascination with guns, but the same could be said about cars, women, electronics. Men like to brag about things.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Steven, stfu.