Oklahoma Drops National Guard Benefits For All Couples To Avoid Serving Same-Sex Couples

[LanternWaste]

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) announced earlier this month that state-owned National Guard facilities will no longer allow any married couples to apply for spousal benefits, regardless of whether they are same-sex or different-sex. The Supreme Court’s decision overturning the Defense of Marriage Act means that servicemembers with same-sex spouses are now eligible for federal benefits. Fallin’s unusual tactic is designed to avoid having to recognize those couples, which she asserts would violate Oklahoma’s constitutional amendment limiting marriage to one man and one woman:

FALLIN: Oklahoma law is clear. The state of Oklahoma does not recognize same-sex marriages, nor does it confer marriage benefits to same-sex couples. The decision reached today allows the National Guard to obey Oklahoma law without violating federal rules or policies. It protects the integrity of our state constitution and sends a message to the federal government that they cannot simply ignore our laws or the will of the people.


http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2013/11/19/2970531/oklahoma-national-guard/






I'm dumbfounded. Just completely dumbfounded by her brain-dead justification.

[Arcanetrance]

1. Makes you proud to be an American that we can hate so freely

Than go out and tell the world how they should treat their own people.

[el_bryanto]

2. That's messed up - how does that state live with itself? nt

[KatyaR]

3. Brain dead is right.

And guess who's the "special guest" at her upcoming "birthday party?" Chris Christie. Only costs $125 to attend the reception, photo op with the governors is $500. As you can guess, it's a campaign fundraiser for her second term.

I can't tell you how many women in this state she has PISSED OFF. I don't know one woman who supports her other than the rich Rs that live in Nichols Hills and Gallardia.

[ehrnst]

4. It's not like a state smack dab in the middle of Tornado Alley really needs strong National Guard..

[GP6971]

5. This means that all couples

will have to travel to federal military installations to apply for benefits. If I remember. there are 3 AFB and Ft Sill in Oklahoma.

[ehrnst]

9. You think that unmarried people will somehow benefit from this? (nt)

[DhhD]

21. A Grandfather Clause.

If a child does not follow the rules in the cafeteria, then no food for anyone tomorrow and everyday thereafter. How hateful to take away from all who have done nothing to deserve removal of their benefits.

[RetroLounge]

11. Wow, selfish much?

RL

[LanternWaste]

12. Sub-literates want to see everyone fall down to the same level rather than see everyone raise up

I imagine many trout-brained sub-literates want to see everyone fall down to the same level rather than see everyone raise up to the same level.

But to be clear, you will of course expound on how I, as a single person, have been getting the "shaft", yes?

[NYC_SKP]

20. I was on a jury for your reply and voted to hide it. I also alerted on the insult you responded to.

You and the reply above are beneath productive discussion.

I know you know this.

Both of you should self-delete.

[NYC_SKP]

19. I alerted on your post after being called to a jury on an alert to the reply below you.

You should self delete your shitty insult.

[NuclearDem]

23. While I'm not big on your wording, I think unmarried couples deserve the same benefits as well

Much to his credit, the First Shirt at one of my units in Omaha advocated for getting benefits extended to service members in nontraditional relationships and (at the time) gay couples who weren't recognized.

[ZRT2209]

7. THE CONSTITUTION IS A FLOOR, NOT A CEILING. Dumbass.

[Cha]

8. Can't imagine that's making any of the OK National Guard

very happy.

I sense blowback.

[geek tragedy]

10. What a shit-tastic bigoted state. nt

[EC]

17. Wow.

these people are really gone.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

18. Mary FAIL-in....come ooooonnn dooown!!!

You're the next contestant on move vile governor ever!!!!

[DallasNE]

22. I'm Sure A Number Of National Guard Members Joined

For the benefits that their civilian jobs lack. So now the Governor administratively stripped those National Guard members of those benefits. They will now have problems maintaining their numbers. Now how short sighted (and mean) is that?

[Recursion]

24. OFFS