Finn,
I posted that message at his Facebook Page....I bet someone read it!
The point is not Homosexuality or Gays in the Military. The point was the SecDef's pointed approval of allowing the wearing of the Uniform by Active Duty Military folks at the Gay Pride Events which are annual occurrences. In that Letter of Approval it was limited to just this year alone.....out of some sort of idea that a one time approval (Exemption from the Historical Policy of no Uniforms at Political Events, Protests, Rally's) was acceptable in light of the recent ending of DADT in our Military.
My point was to point out that allowing the wearing of the Uniform as approved by SecDef closely followed by Dempsey claiming the Military (even those out of Uniform and no longer on Active Duty) protesting the leaks ,was improper ,directly contradicts the SecDef's decision re Gay Pride events which are very political.
How can Dempsey condemn those not on Active Service and not in uniform....and not say the exact same thing about Active Duty Personnel in Uniform at the Gay Pride events. That is my point.....made by using a very recent and very high profile event that directly flew in the face of historical precedent and existing Military Policy.
At the first National Tea Party gathering in Washington DC, a few Military folks commuting from Work to Home happened to walk through the area where we were gathered. They were not part of the Protest....just simply guys and gals headed home after working in the Capitol Building in some liasion office. They were escorted out of the area by Police and I would bet some sort of report was made to their Command. Most of them pulled rain coats out of their back packs, removed their head gear, and took every effort to appear to be anything but Military upon realizing what they had walked into. That is how strict the rule is...and should be.
Dempsey is wrong....very wrong.
What is the difference between John McCain running for office as a Retired Naval Officer and these Spec Ops guys who are retired and voicing their concerns? Do we ban Retired and former Military people from running for office or participating in the political process they guarded with their lives?
This Dempsey guy is spineless....two faced.....and an embarrassment to those of us who served in the Military and does not warrant any respect at all. He of all people should be banging on doors demanding a full and prompt investigation into the leaks. Serving members are at risk due to the leaks....sources are being compromised.....and I bet lives either have been lost or are going to be lost as a direct result of the leaks.
BPF.....you need to hone your reading comprehension and also remember your history. The US Military was de-segregated by Harry Truman in 1948. The Military led the nation by almost 20 years in that. The Military has complied with the various policies set down re Homosexuals serving. The USMC which had the most resistance to the ending of DADT is leading the services in adopting the new policy. I would suggest your comments show a complete misunderstanding of both our history and the way in which our Miltary adapts to change.