Hi Neal/Aude,
I was installing computers onboard Navy ships while you were still in diapers.
You may have read, in your librarian job, about the Liberty hull ship, the USNS Kingsport, which was converted to a control ship for the Syncom Satellite -- the one which allowed President Kennedy to speak via satellite telephone to the president of another nation on the other side of the world.
Well, my dear librarian Friend -- guess who installed the antennae control computer on that ship? You guessed it! Yours truly.
Yes, I help set up the Test Department at Ramo-Wooldridge, which later became Bunker-Ramo, for testing the first AN/UYK-1 MilSpec Minicomputers -- and then, I traveled to the Philadelphia Shipyard to install one onboard the USNS Kingsport. Below is a short description of that computer.
It was one of these same computers I was testing at Ramo-Wooldrigde the morning I was told that President Kennedy had been shot. We put a radio on top of that computer and everyone gathered around to listen to the news. That was about 10:30 AM, California time. At lunch, I drove to Our Lady of The Valley church to pray for him. Then, I went to Frosty Freeze, had a burger for lunch -- and driving back to work -- I heard on the radio that he had died. So, that AN/UYK-1 computer is wrapped all around the memory of JFK for me.
AN/UYK-1 MILITARY MILSPEC MINICOMPUTER
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transit_(satellite)
Since no computer small enough to fit through a submarine's hatch existed, a new computer was designed, named the AN/UYK-1. It was built with rounded corners to fit through the hatch and was about five feet tall and sealed to be water-proof. The principal design engineer was then-UCLA-faculty-member Lowell Amdahl, brother of Gene Amdahl. The AN/UYK-1 was built by the Ramo-Wooldridge division of TRW for the Lafayette class SSBN's. It was equipped with 8,192 words of 15-bit core memory plus parity bit, threaded by hand at their Canoga Park factory. Cycle time was about one microsecond.
And, I will say this -- you Navy guys never have learned to make coffee. You just pour some 30 weight motor oil in a cup and call this coffee. You need to come to the Air Force for a wee bit if refinement and culture -- and to learn how to make coffee.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
I was installing computers onboard Navy ships while you were still in diapers.
You may have read, in your librarian job, about the Liberty hull ship, the USNS Kingsport, which was converted to a control ship for the Syncom Satellite -- the one which allowed President Kennedy to speak via satellite telephone to the president of another nation on the other side of the world.
Well, my dear librarian Friend -- guess who installed the antennae control computer on that ship? You guessed it! Yours truly.
Yes, I help set up the Test Department at Ramo-Wooldridge, which later became Bunker-Ramo, for testing the first AN/UYK-1 MilSpec Minicomputers -- and then, I traveled to the Philadelphia Shipyard to install one onboard the USNS Kingsport. Below is a short description of that computer.
It was one of these same computers I was testing at Ramo-Wooldrigde the morning I was told that President Kennedy had been shot. We put a radio on top of that computer and everyone gathered around to listen to the news. That was about 10:30 AM, California time. At lunch, I drove to Our Lady of The Valley church to pray for him. Then, I went to Frosty Freeze, had a burger for lunch -- and driving back to work -- I heard on the radio that he had died. So, that AN/UYK-1 computer is wrapped all around the memory of JFK for me.
AN/UYK-1 MILITARY MILSPEC MINICOMPUTER
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transit_(satellite)
Since no computer small enough to fit through a submarine's hatch existed, a new computer was designed, named the AN/UYK-1. It was built with rounded corners to fit through the hatch and was about five feet tall and sealed to be water-proof. The principal design engineer was then-UCLA-faculty-member Lowell Amdahl, brother of Gene Amdahl. The AN/UYK-1 was built by the Ramo-Wooldridge division of TRW for the Lafayette class SSBN's. It was equipped with 8,192 words of 15-bit core memory plus parity bit, threaded by hand at their Canoga Park factory. Cycle time was about one microsecond.
And, I will say this -- you Navy guys never have learned to make coffee. You just pour some 30 weight motor oil in a cup and call this coffee. You need to come to the Air Force for a wee bit if refinement and culture -- and to learn how to make coffee.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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vplee123 said of Bill
“The very fact that you say you have fallen victim to "gay predators" more than once in military and civilian life is more than a little bit weird. Maybe you are really gay, and people are trying to help you "out". ?? just kidding.........”
Well he may be kidding but I'm not. If you had so many “GAY PREDATORS” or just gays hitting on you in the 60's, you must have been giving off some kind of signals. I'll give you the benefit of doubt and say you may not have realized it. But, in the 60's, gays were so scared of getting beat up that they were very careful who they approached. I am a heterosexual and have been married 39 years but I have had gay (including lesbians) friends from a very young age (preteens) and I have never had a problem with any of them. They seem to be able to tell your orientation better than heterosexual can, or maybe it's just that if they are in doubt they let it go.
Again, vplee123 said
“WHO cares what the sexual orientation is, if an individual is ready and able to fight for our country. Do you think they should be banned from the Police Departments too? Where will it end????? “
Forget about where we band them from, what about all the other deviants.
Not that he would ever join the military in the first place but band Tiger Woods. After all he is a sex addict, what about some one that is into BDSM, Cross dressing, Necrophilia, Exhibitionism, or any of the unnumbered fetishes? Would you want these people representing the US in foreign countries?
Any one in the military should be disciplined enough to keep any sexual orientation in check and if they don't they want be in the military long (unless it is military prison).
Bill said,
“I, too, am against persecution and bigotry of any kind.” You need to look at the definition of “any” and change your comment to some or most, but if there is one (1) exception then the word “any” is not correct. Then you continue with; “However, I am also against predators who will find a "happy hunting ground" among the young people new in the military.” That is the same thing they said when they started letting women in the military. They are only joining so they can hook a husband.
That may have been the case for some of them but if it was I'll bet in boot camp most of them washes out or changed their mind. Before you say it, yes a lot of them did find husbands but so did the ones that went to college. Most of them went into the military because it was the closest they could get to fair and equal pay and advancement for the same work as a man.
The enemy, nor their weapons, care what your sexual orientation is.
And just to clear up any question, I am retired Navy.
“The very fact that you say you have fallen victim to "gay predators" more than once in military and civilian life is more than a little bit weird. Maybe you are really gay, and people are trying to help you "out". ?? just kidding.........”
Well he may be kidding but I'm not. If you had so many “GAY PREDATORS” or just gays hitting on you in the 60's, you must have been giving off some kind of signals. I'll give you the benefit of doubt and say you may not have realized it. But, in the 60's, gays were so scared of getting beat up that they were very careful who they approached. I am a heterosexual and have been married 39 years but I have had gay (including lesbians) friends from a very young age (preteens) and I have never had a problem with any of them. They seem to be able to tell your orientation better than heterosexual can, or maybe it's just that if they are in doubt they let it go.
Again, vplee123 said
“WHO cares what the sexual orientation is, if an individual is ready and able to fight for our country. Do you think they should be banned from the Police Departments too? Where will it end????? “
Forget about where we band them from, what about all the other deviants.
Not that he would ever join the military in the first place but band Tiger Woods. After all he is a sex addict, what about some one that is into BDSM, Cross dressing, Necrophilia, Exhibitionism, or any of the unnumbered fetishes? Would you want these people representing the US in foreign countries?
Any one in the military should be disciplined enough to keep any sexual orientation in check and if they don't they want be in the military long (unless it is military prison).
Bill said,
“I, too, am against persecution and bigotry of any kind.” You need to look at the definition of “any” and change your comment to some or most, but if there is one (1) exception then the word “any” is not correct. Then you continue with; “However, I am also against predators who will find a "happy hunting ground" among the young people new in the military.” That is the same thing they said when they started letting women in the military. They are only joining so they can hook a husband.
That may have been the case for some of them but if it was I'll bet in boot camp most of them washes out or changed their mind. Before you say it, yes a lot of them did find husbands but so did the ones that went to college. Most of them went into the military because it was the closest they could get to fair and equal pay and advancement for the same work as a man.
The enemy, nor their weapons, care what your sexual orientation is.
And just to clear up any question, I am retired Navy.
Hi Daddy,
Like you, I, too, have had friends who were gay -- and they did not bother me. Why? Because we were friends; they respected me and I respected their right to choose their own lifestyle. I have a close friend living near us now whose son is gay -- and he is a very nice guy. I like him. But, his lifestyle is still against the Word of God.
However, this mutual respect does not apply to gay predators who are on the prowl. And, if you tell me that you never encountered gays around Boot Camp towns and Tech School camps -- the only explanation is that you stayed in the closet yourself and never ventured into the real world.
Yes, I have had gay predators come after me, both on military bases and off base, in the local towns.
And, many of my friends experienced this also. One friend was in a panic. An older gay gave him a ride at the bus stop in Denver. Driving toward the base -- the older man made his pitch and my friend said no. Then, the man offered him money and my friend said no. Then, the man offered money and a bottle of whiskey -- and my friend said no. Then, believe it or not -- the man offered money, whiskey, and a night with his wife if the kid would have a homosexual tryst with him.
By the time he got back to the base he was in a panic -- and, of course, being young ourselves then, we teased him -- what, you turned down money, whiskey, and his wife?
But, this type of gay predator is common around any military base where young, inexperienced recruits are training. And, if you say you never experienced that -- you must be the ONLY man who ever served in the military in the last one hundred years who did not.
Am I prejudiced and bigoted? Only if you believe that protecting our young kids from predators makes me such -- for, I will go to bat to protect our young people.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
Like you, I, too, have had friends who were gay -- and they did not bother me. Why? Because we were friends; they respected me and I respected their right to choose their own lifestyle. I have a close friend living near us now whose son is gay -- and he is a very nice guy. I like him. But, his lifestyle is still against the Word of God.
However, this mutual respect does not apply to gay predators who are on the prowl. And, if you tell me that you never encountered gays around Boot Camp towns and Tech School camps -- the only explanation is that you stayed in the closet yourself and never ventured into the real world.
Yes, I have had gay predators come after me, both on military bases and off base, in the local towns.
And, many of my friends experienced this also. One friend was in a panic. An older gay gave him a ride at the bus stop in Denver. Driving toward the base -- the older man made his pitch and my friend said no. Then, the man offered him money and my friend said no. Then, the man offered money and a bottle of whiskey -- and my friend said no. Then, believe it or not -- the man offered money, whiskey, and a night with his wife if the kid would have a homosexual tryst with him.
By the time he got back to the base he was in a panic -- and, of course, being young ourselves then, we teased him -- what, you turned down money, whiskey, and his wife?
But, this type of gay predator is common around any military base where young, inexperienced recruits are training. And, if you say you never experienced that -- you must be the ONLY man who ever served in the military in the last one hundred years who did not.
Am I prejudiced and bigoted? Only if you believe that protecting our young kids from predators makes me such -- for, I will go to bat to protect our young people.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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Neal/Aude
Just for your information, the USNS was not a liberty hull ship. Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L..._Liberty_ships:_Je-L for a list of liberty hull ships and if you want to check out the USNS Kingsport go to http://www.history.navy.mil/da...ingsport_victory.htm or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U...sport_%28T-AG-164%29 .
Bill are you bragging or complaining? I didn't go in till 1969 and I served on older ships and worked on 8 bit machines with only 1K of memory, SO WHAT?
Just for your information, the USNS was not a liberty hull ship. Check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L..._Liberty_ships:_Je-L for a list of liberty hull ships and if you want to check out the USNS Kingsport go to http://www.history.navy.mil/da...ingsport_victory.htm or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U...sport_%28T-AG-164%29 .
Bill are you bragging or complaining? I didn't go in till 1969 and I served on older ships and worked on 8 bit machines with only 1K of memory, SO WHAT?
Bill
I'll tell you a story about my wife and a co-worker (a straight female) to further explain what I said.
My wife worked around a bunch of men and cut up and carried on all the time. Not a one of them ever came on to her and it was not because of me or her looks. It was because she gave off the air that it was a great friendship and that was as far as it would ever go. Her co-worker, (married to a man that these men knew to never leave the house with out a gun) wanted to joke around also but liked the ability to do so without leaving the impression that she might be available.
My wife was 17 when we got married and sh entered the military community. You could say she grew up in the military as for as dealing with broad spectrum of male personalities and learned how to handle herself.
Her co-worker on the other hand lived a cloistered life with little exposure to the same and never got over the high school antics that made her seem available. It was not her fault that she did not learn this, but the story goes to show that it has to do with how you handle and present yourself.
“One friend was in a panic. An older gay gave him a ride at the bus stop in Denver. Driving toward the base -- the older man made his pitch and my friend said no. Then, the man offered him money and my friend said no. Then, the man offered money and a bottle of whiskey -- and my friend said no. Then, believe it or not -- the man offered money, whiskey, and a night with his wife if the kid would have a homosexual tryst with him.”
One of my friends was struck by lightning and almost died. This does not give me reason to believe that every lightning will hit some one nor that everyone that is will live.
“if you say you never experienced that -- you must be the ONLY man who ever served in the military in the last one hundred years who did not.”
I will give you that if asked, many that were may lie about it, but I personally doubt that 10% experience it in today's military and in the 60s I'm sure it was a lot lower.
As for as my not getting out, you may have a point. I did not hang around with the liberty crowd much so if they all hung out at the port or base, I probably just passed through them on my way out meet and learn the local culture.
Being Gay is a religious thing for you, I don't care. You say it is against Gods word. You mean the canonized bible I suppose. Whether the scribes were inspired by god or not, I don't care. When men of this world pick and choose which scribes were inspired by god and which were not, then it becomes mans word and no longer gods.
Have you ever heard of the Allegory of the Cave? Some day you and all the religious friends will be freed to look around and see the world/universe/galaxy for what it is and then maybe you will understand the shadows on the wall that you base your religion on.
Before you jump, I consider myself as a very spiritual person, I just don't see any reason to anthropomorphize the spirit.
I'll tell you a story about my wife and a co-worker (a straight female) to further explain what I said.
My wife worked around a bunch of men and cut up and carried on all the time. Not a one of them ever came on to her and it was not because of me or her looks. It was because she gave off the air that it was a great friendship and that was as far as it would ever go. Her co-worker, (married to a man that these men knew to never leave the house with out a gun) wanted to joke around also but liked the ability to do so without leaving the impression that she might be available.
My wife was 17 when we got married and sh entered the military community. You could say she grew up in the military as for as dealing with broad spectrum of male personalities and learned how to handle herself.
Her co-worker on the other hand lived a cloistered life with little exposure to the same and never got over the high school antics that made her seem available. It was not her fault that she did not learn this, but the story goes to show that it has to do with how you handle and present yourself.
“One friend was in a panic. An older gay gave him a ride at the bus stop in Denver. Driving toward the base -- the older man made his pitch and my friend said no. Then, the man offered him money and my friend said no. Then, the man offered money and a bottle of whiskey -- and my friend said no. Then, believe it or not -- the man offered money, whiskey, and a night with his wife if the kid would have a homosexual tryst with him.”
One of my friends was struck by lightning and almost died. This does not give me reason to believe that every lightning will hit some one nor that everyone that is will live.
“if you say you never experienced that -- you must be the ONLY man who ever served in the military in the last one hundred years who did not.”
I will give you that if asked, many that were may lie about it, but I personally doubt that 10% experience it in today's military and in the 60s I'm sure it was a lot lower.
As for as my not getting out, you may have a point. I did not hang around with the liberty crowd much so if they all hung out at the port or base, I probably just passed through them on my way out meet and learn the local culture.
Being Gay is a religious thing for you, I don't care. You say it is against Gods word. You mean the canonized bible I suppose. Whether the scribes were inspired by god or not, I don't care. When men of this world pick and choose which scribes were inspired by god and which were not, then it becomes mans word and no longer gods.
Have you ever heard of the Allegory of the Cave? Some day you and all the religious friends will be freed to look around and see the world/universe/galaxy for what it is and then maybe you will understand the shadows on the wall that you base your religion on.
Before you jump, I consider myself as a very spiritual person, I just don't see any reason to anthropomorphize the spirit.
quote:Originally posted by Bill Gray:
I, too, am against persecution and bigotry of any kind.
Horsecrap. That's pretty much all you ever display. You persecute the living bejesus out of anybody who disagrees with your eternal "get out of hell free card" way of 'suddenly' thinking. Don't pee on us and tell us it's rainin'!
Alright, Bill. No, I have never served in the military. But my grandfather served in WW2. And I have many friends who are serving NOW.
Gays shouldn't be allowed in the military because their lifestyle is contrary to the Word of God.
So, shall we also ban Jewish people? Your "liberal theologists"? atheists?
Let's build an army of white, anglo fundamentalists!
Gays shouldn't be allowed in the military because their lifestyle is contrary to the Word of God.
So, shall we also ban Jewish people? Your "liberal theologists"? atheists?
Let's build an army of white, anglo fundamentalists!
No one has to "serve openly" in the military. Everyone with half a brain knows who the homosexual service members are. Don't Ask, Don't Tell only served as a good "get out of the military free" card. The guy/gal would be underway/deployed and start missing home/boyfriend/girlfriend, or feel he/she was treated unfairly for whatever reason and just come out of the closet to his/her superiors. He/she caught the next plane back to the states to work in some office while waiting to be processed out with an honorable discharge.
"HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT?!?"
I saw it happen on more than one occasion. That's how. In fact, a Navy friend was on his first deployment and started missing his boyfriend back in New London, CT. He came out of the closet while underway. His boat pulled in somewhere in Italy and he was on the next flight back. Unknown to him, his boyfriend decided to join the Navy during this time and was off to Great Lakes, IL for boot camp before SAILOR 1 "came out." Sailor 1's plan didn't work too well.
The fact is this; no one cares if the guy is gay or not. If he does his job well and doesn't make any unwanted advances, good on him. Sexuality should never come into play. "Serve openly" is a joke. How about you serve your country openly as an American and forget the rest of the garbage?
"HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT?!?"
I saw it happen on more than one occasion. That's how. In fact, a Navy friend was on his first deployment and started missing his boyfriend back in New London, CT. He came out of the closet while underway. His boat pulled in somewhere in Italy and he was on the next flight back. Unknown to him, his boyfriend decided to join the Navy during this time and was off to Great Lakes, IL for boot camp before SAILOR 1 "came out." Sailor 1's plan didn't work too well.
The fact is this; no one cares if the guy is gay or not. If he does his job well and doesn't make any unwanted advances, good on him. Sexuality should never come into play. "Serve openly" is a joke. How about you serve your country openly as an American and forget the rest of the garbage?
Bill,
We Navy guys CAN make a good cup of coffee. Well, at least on submarines we can. No offense taken, though. I just wanted to clarify.
We Navy guys CAN make a good cup of coffee. Well, at least on submarines we can. No offense taken, though. I just wanted to clarify.
Bill I was in the Military the same time as you, U.S. Army and I was never approached by a Homosexual nor have I ever been that I know of, I loved them Women too much, there is something bad wrong with a man that wants a Man over a Woman.
If he does his job well and doesn't make any unwanted advances, good on him. Sexuality should never come into play. "Serve openly" is a joke. How about you serve your country openly as an American and forget the rest of the garbage?
Right, on, Tomme.
This whole issue is a non-issue in my book.
Bill-maybe you were emitting gay pheromones?
Right, on, Tomme.
This whole issue is a non-issue in my book.
Bill-maybe you were emitting gay pheromones?
It is rare for a gay man to make advances on another man who he perceives to be straight. Maybe Bill is giving out vibes?
I've always heard that the person who beats the issue to death is uncomfortable with their own sexuality. We've seen this happen over and over again (Ted Haggard, Troy King, etc.)
I've always heard that the person who beats the issue to death is uncomfortable with their own sexuality. We've seen this happen over and over again (Ted Haggard, Troy King, etc.)
quote:Originally posted by StarryNight:
It is rare for a gay man to make advances on another man who he perceives to be straight. Maybe Bill is giving out vibes? I've always heard that the person who beats the issue to death is uncomfortable with their own sexuality. We've seen this happen over and over again (Ted Haggard, Troy King, etc.)
Hi Night,
If you really believe that gays do not make advances toward heterosexual men and women -- then, either you live in a closet -- or you frequent only gay clubs where there are no heterosexuals to approach. As I said, I have seen this happen, not just to me -- but, to many friends -- both in the service and in civilian life.
You could be right that certain people are more attractive to gays than others. You will find this in the heterosexual community also. We all have certain characteristics which attract us to the opposite sex. For me, personally, I have always been attracted to Hispanic and Asian women, I have always been attracted to petite women -- so, these, in my single days -- would always get my attention -- and my action.
So, I guess the same is true in the gay community -- they are attracted to certain types -- and I am 6'3" tall, blonde, and blue eyes. Is that the type which attracts you? It seems to have been for many gays in the past.
Regarding gays in the military, the following quote is a response (to that same article which I also sent to my Friends Ministry) I received from a man who is an evangelist, a mature Christian, a Christian writer and publisher -- and, as ex-Army Drill Sgt:
Well said… as a Drill Sgt of 10 years in the Army, I can tell you that it is also totally UNFAIR to have to worry about a gay ogling you as you undress or shower… we don’t allow guys to go into the girls area and observe them changing, showering, or sleeping… why should gay men be allowed the erotic pleasure of openly watching those they are sexually attracted to?
It’s unfair and inappropriate to the 96% or more “straight” soldiers (and that’s only one of about a 100 reasons gays in the military are a bad idea; many of those ideas to blunt and raw to even discuss).
Night, one thing I have always found about gays and liberals -- they refuse to accept Biblical teaching -- but, will fight tooth and nail in their attempt to rewrite the Bible to fit their desires and their worldly lifestyles. You cannot do that my Friend. God has already authored His Written Word -- and no one can change it. You live by His Word -- or you reject His Word -- but, you cannot change His Word.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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quote:Originally posted by StarryNight:
It is rare for a gay man to make advances on another man who he perceives to be straight. Maybe Bill is giving out vibes?
I've always heard that the person who beats the issue to death is uncomfortable with their own sexuality. We've seen this happen over and over again (Ted Haggard, Troy King, etc.)
This response is old as the hills. Nothing intelligent, just accuse the other person of being homosexual too...
quote:Originally posted by Bill Gray:
.....60 scared new teenage recruits living in the same training barracks with a person who is to be viewed as an inerrant god, not to be questioned. What happens if this god tells a recruit to come to his room tonight for late night training? The frightened recruit is powerless to say no. And, we all know what that late night training entails -- at least in the mind of this military appointed god.
Ole Gay Bill Gray they used to call him.....
Straight men think about their best friend's mom seducing them after school, or the hot math teacher offering to "tutor" after school, or some other scenario in which the boy is left powerless in the midst of a sexually powerful woman.
But what was Bill Gray thinking about back in boot camp? He was imagining the hot, masculine drill instructor calling him into his room for some "late night training."
Quite the fantasy you had (have) there, buddy. Did you get an erection while typing that post?
Bill, YOU ARE GAY. ACCEPT IT.
Dustin
quote:Originally posted by Tomme73:
How about you serve your country openly as an American and forget the rest of the garbage?
AMEN!
quote:Originally posted by Bill Gray:quote:Originally posted by thenagel:
Sorry... but I'm against persecution and bigotry for any reason.
Hi Nagel,
I, too, am against persecution and bigotry of any kind. However, I am also against predators who will find a "happy hunting ground" among the young people new in the military.
And, there will be a morale problem caused by openly gay people flouting their new freedom.
Our military people do not need additional problems stacked on their backs by Liberal Politically Correct Politicians seeking votes.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
Well, i'm not exactly sure what you mean by predators. I've been hit on by gay men before. i don't consider that being hunted by a gay predator, i figure it's a complement because he thought i was good looking and hoped i played for his team. when i told him that, no, i didn't play for his team he accepted it at left me alone.
It didn't offend me any more than it would have if it had it been a girl hitting on me. the answer would have been the same, because i was married.
If you mean aggressive stalker-like behavior, i'm pretty sure that women in the military have been dealing with that for ages now, and it's getting better little by little. so, once this goes public, little by little it will get better as well.
There are morale problems now, and a small part of it is because people who are gay have to hide who they are or risk being throw out of the military. so we'll be trading one problem for another.
there is no perfect answer that the whole country will accept, so we just have to do the best we can. I'm always going to be in favor of making the world a more equal, less hated filled place. this is merely one more step in that direction.
quote:I'm always going to be in favor of making the world a more equal, less hated filled place
BINGO!
And if it conflicts with ones religious convictions, I say grow up and deal with it....
we live in a multicultural,multi-faith, country of Free Will. Our military should be a melting pot to reflect such.
On this point I would offer to disagree. Our military is not to be politicized, we did that in Vietnam and it didn't work out to well for our cause. Our military exist solely to maintain our form of life and government by force and might. It should not be used to force the rest of the world to accept our form of Government but it should also protect from another coming and and forcing theirs on us. We should not try and politicize the military or attempt to "civilize" it. It exist to protect against the most evil and unimaginable people and beings that seek to destroy our way of life and exist to do a job no one would desire or want to do which is kill or destroy, with extreme prejudice, in order to maintain that which we hold dear. The Military doesn't negotiate rather it conquers and overcomes by force or deters due to it's overwhelming capabilities.
Anything that gets in the way of the military fulfilling it's duty and assigned job or maintaining that deterrence factor is counterproductive. The Military exist to protect freedom and protect our values not to practice them therefore IF the majority of soldiers feel that homosexuality should not be forced upon them (forced by accepting homosexuality as a lifestyle into the military way of life) then it should not be an issue that they have to contend with. I'm all for allowing homosexuals to serve, if they desire to, for they have the same right to fight and die for our country as anyone else but the military is NOT THE PLACE to play out politically what is expedient, right, or wrong. If a person is homosexual and serving in the military then they shouldn't go flaunting it or expecting forced acceptance.
Just my opinion, from a person that loves his country and respects the people (homosexual or straight) that helps keep our country free.
Anything that gets in the way of the military fulfilling it's duty and assigned job or maintaining that deterrence factor is counterproductive. The Military exist to protect freedom and protect our values not to practice them therefore IF the majority of soldiers feel that homosexuality should not be forced upon them (forced by accepting homosexuality as a lifestyle into the military way of life) then it should not be an issue that they have to contend with. I'm all for allowing homosexuals to serve, if they desire to, for they have the same right to fight and die for our country as anyone else but the military is NOT THE PLACE to play out politically what is expedient, right, or wrong. If a person is homosexual and serving in the military then they shouldn't go flaunting it or expecting forced acceptance.
Just my opinion, from a person that loves his country and respects the people (homosexual or straight) that helps keep our country free.