AP: Pentagon Alters Homosexuality Guidelines

[Eugene]

Pentagon Alters Homosexuality Guidelines

By LOLITA C. BALDOR
The Associated Press
Thursday, November 16, 2006; 5:50 PM

WASHINGTON -- Pentagon guidelines that classified homosexuality as a mental
disorder now put it among a list of conditions or "circumstances" that range
from bed-wetting to fear of flying.

The new rules are related to the military's retirement practices. The change
does not affect the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that prohibits officials
from inquiring about the sex lives of service members and requires discharges
of those who openly acknowledge being gay.

The revision came in response to criticism this year when it was discovered
that the guidelines listed homosexuality alongside mental retardation and
personality disorders.

Mental health professionals said Thursday they were not satisfied by the change.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/16/AR2006111601088.html

[Ian David]

1. They're doing this to prepare for a military draft, in my personal opinion

It's illegal to avoid military service by "feigning mental illness."

They do not want people dodging the draft by saying they're gay or bisexual, so they need to be able to use the law to prosecute people lying to exploit it as a loophole.

That is my own, personal opinion.

[BootinUp]

5. I just don't think the country

will accept the draft while chimpy is still in office. There would be a huge protest.

[Drum]

13. Ouch, that's a sharp observation,

one that I wouldn't have noticed.

:thumbsup:

[slackmaster]

2. It also doesn't affect Article 125 of the UCMJ

The prohibition against "sodomy", which for the most part is selectively enforced against homosexuals.

They can redifine terms 'til the cows come home, even eliminate DA/DT, and gays and lesbians who are not abstinent will still be discriminated against.

This is all just window dressing.

[IntravenousDemilo]

10. As far as I'm concerned, there are worse ways of being discriminated against than not being allowed

to have your ass blown off fighting George Bush's illegal war. If the draft is reinstated, there will be a lot of "gay" straight guys offering to blow the sergeant-major right there at the recruiting office.

[slackmaster]

11. That's one way of looking at it

OTOH Bush will be gone in a little over two years. People who are interested in real military careers are thinking a lot farther ahead than that.

Here's another thread that pertains to discrimination against gays in the military, showing a broad range of opinions among DUers:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2614947&mesg_id=2614947

[niallmac]

3. Don't ask don't tell was a horrible piece of Clintonesque work.

If you tell us you are gay then you are admitting you are evil so you must go. If you are evil
but don't tell anyone then, well...what a bunch of BS.
Sexual predators are not cool no matter what their orientation.
Gay excellent soldiers are as effective as hetero excellent soldiers.
What an off the blocks disappointment that whole scene was.

[Ian David]

7. Clinton would have taken to DADT like a fish to water

He's a guy used to having clandestine sexual activity.

[bullimiami]

4. id say anyone who joins the military knowing bush is in charge is of

questionable mental capacity.
and anyone in the military that has participated in the slaughter, rape, pillage and torture that they have been recently sent to do is of questionable mental and moral capacity.

yes niall d.a.d.t. is one of a number of doozies that clinton collaberated with the republican bastard squad on.

[Ian David]

8. Army STRONG! Category Four Stupid! n/t

[torrentprime]

12. No

Don't impugn the motives of people who join to serve their country regardless of its Commander in Chief. Millions of americans love their country despite its current president, and telling someone they should pass up a desire or option for military service, possibly miss out on a lifetime career, just because they don't like the boss for the next two years is foolish.

[EFerrari]

15. Why people romanticize the biggest killing machine the Earth

has ever known is beyond me.

Serve my country, my @ss. Serve the corporate interests that benefit from any war anywhere is more like it. Those same guys who don't think you need body armor or hardened armor on vehicles or good water.

Those guys.

At least call it by its name.

[torrentprime]

19. If your grasp of things

Does not recognize the need for a national defense nor some of the specific incidents in history where our military has in fact done good and necessary things, then we'll have to adjourn until after your next history class.

And bumper-sticker name-calling like "the biggest killing machine" is no better, no smarter, no more honest than pro-lifers calling abortion providers "murderers" and Planned Parenthood offices "slaughterhouses. It takes more than clever slogans and hyperbole to have a point.

[Ian David]

17. Category 4 or Project 100,000? n/t

[saigon68]

18. Project 100,000 McNamara's Morans

LOL

[David Zephyr]

6. Looks like Rove & Bush have tired temporarily of gay bashing.

Bill Mahr said it best: The gay marriage specter didn't work for the Republicans this election cycle as it did in the past. Maybe Americans turned out to be more afraid of the GOP controlling congress than gays getting married.

[Ian David]

9. In 2008, it will be immigrants again. Bigger and badder than ever. n/t

[phillysuse]

14. Maybe Gay Immmigrants

Imagine hordes of fabulous gay immigrants sneaking across the border
so that they can marry American gays.

The horror of it all!!!

[provis99]

16. this article is better if you only read the headline

"alter homosexuality guidelines"
though comparing homosexuality to bed-wetting sort of makes giggle, too. Does this mean bed-wetters can't join the Marines? Heaven forbid!