Texas National Guard tells members seeking same-sex benefits to go to federal bases

[n2doc]

By CHRIS TOMLINSON Associated Press
September 03, 2013 - 12:46 pm EDT


AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas National Guard is refusing to process requests for benefits submitted by same-sex couples because of the state constitution's definition of marriage.

The American Military Partner Association gave a letter to The Associated Press on Tuesday that was written by Maj. Gen. John Nichols, the commanding general of Texas Military Forces.

Nichols writes that the Texas Constitution defines marriage as between a man and a woman, so his state agency cannot process applications for benefits from gay and lesbian couples. He recommends service members go to a federal installation to apply.

Nichols says he must order his forces not to accept benefit applications because there's a conflict between Department of Defense policy and Texas law.

Tuesday is the first working day gays in the military may apply for benefits.
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/23f830d9109649a48e3b10f112f6b9d7/US--Texas-National-Guard-Gay-Rights

[MNBrewer]

1. More grist for the judicial mill here.

[Amimnoch]

2. This one should be a no brainer, and I hope the DoD steps in.

The funding for the State national guard units comes from the FEDERAL budget, through the DoD.

The only exception to this is when the State Governor calls up the guard, then the state has to pay the expenses for the services rendered, but still doesn't pay the benefits and compesnation packages.

I say either pull federal funding, and all DoD equipment and supplies from Texas, OR really tick off the Con's and:

First, President Obama should step up, and announce that he's going to call up the Texas National guard to "protect our southern border". That Perry person has been making the request to use the guard for that purpose anyway. (please don't stop here, read on before blasting me for this maneuver)

Doing the first step will take the guard out from under Perry as the CiC of the state guard forces and place them under President Obama. It also aligns them with the DoD, and away from the state policies.

President Obama then signs executive order for benefits to be given.

Never actually mobilize the guard, but just call them up for "Use of Militia and Armed Forces to Enforce Federal Authority".

There.. benefits are given, Perry is made a fool of (well, more so than usual), and Faux and followers will be howling furious with outrage.

[dsc]

4. this has already been litigated in the opposite direction

Washington state didn't want to fire Margaret Cannemeyer (spelling) when she came out but the feds made them do so. Now we get the good side of the feds being supreme.

[blkmusclmachine]

3. .

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