Cowardice
February 24, 2010 by AnonPartner
Filed under Soldier's Husband
At dinner tonight, I casually read remarks by Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz in their testimony before Congress concerning the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. As I relayed their “serious concerns” about repeal, Clay matter-of-factly stated, “Oh, I armed up and protected Gen. _____ when he came to visit the war zone…”
I poked at my food, and stewed… I got angrier and angrier. In protecting General X that day in Iraq, Clay didn’t think twice about doing the duty he is highly qualified and proud to do… but these two fat-cat generals are so quick to dismiss the sacrifice of the thousands of gay and lesbian soldiers whose service THEY DEPEND UPON every single god damned day of the year…
Maybe it’s someone on their security detail, or their driver, or their military barber, or their doctor, or their personal aid, or their pilot, or their cook… These are the troops who support them each and every day, and whose exemplary service has everything to do with their worth as good soldiers, and absolutely NOTHING to do with their sexual orientation.
Shame on you Generals Casey and Schwartz: Gay and lesbian soldiers stand up and honorably serve you 24/7, yet you are not willing to spend any political capital to stand up for them.
For me, it’s been an interesting mix of proud and disgusted as generals have spoken out. It would be vindicating (I hope) to hear what these same men would say if they knew just who exactly was protecting their butts.
Thank you for reminding me, my dear friend Pobble… I truly meant to applaud Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Adm. Mullen, Gen. Odierno, and the many others who ARE willing to stand up for their fellow soldiers. They honor the service of all the gay and lesbian soldiers they have worked with (even fought beside) during their long and distinguished careers.
Well said!
I was quite surprised when the momentum seemed to shift unexpectedly. And the first time I saw the television coverage of Admiral Mullen speaking out against DADT, I thought I was dreaming. Then I later heard President Obama say that he wanted to form this year-long commission to determine if DADT should be repealed, and I thought, “You need a year to determine this?” Hopefully this will be repealed sooner rather than later.
Well said! As a brand new troop to the greatest military the world has seen, I can only hope more people think like us… I provide the greatest health care I can to everyone from the newest E1 to the oldest general. Being gay has absolutely no impact on my service to patients. I do not lust after every female that checks into my hospital; when I’m a chaperone for annual well exams (ladies know how much of an awesome experience THAT is), my duty is to assist my doctor in whatever he needs; not once have I molested any woman who’s naked from the waist down because I can’t help my satanic desires.
Being gay does not mean I’m of immoral character or somehow less able to perform above and beyond the call of duty. When it comes down to it, when I come running from the bunker in the middle of a war zone to drag your sorry ass back to cover so I can save your life, are you really going to refuse my service because I’m a lesbian?