Gays can now openly serve in the military:

[Skjellyfetti]

- After years of debate and months of final preparations, the military can no longer prevent gays from serving openly in its ranks.

Repeal of a 1993 law that allowed gays to serve only so long as they kept their sexual orientation private took effect Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. EDT.

Some in Congress still oppose the change, but top Pentagon leaders have certified that it will not undermine the military's ability to recruit or to fight wars.

The Army was distributing a business-as-usual statement Tuesday saying simply, "The law is repealed," and reminding soldiers to treat each other fairly.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/09/ ... 8690.shtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[grizzaholic]

There goes the neighborhood.

[dbackjon]

Awesome!!!

[TwinTownBisonFan]

Very happy I got to play a tiny part in making this a reality (helping elect the Congressman who was the driving force behind repeal)

[dbackjon]

Very happy I got to play a tiny part in making this a reality (helping elect the Congressman who was the driving force behind repeal)

[89Hen]

Jon, can I ask a question and I swear it's not loaded, just tying to noodle through this after hearing this on the news this morning. Do you think sexual orientation should be a protected class in the military? IOW, should people get in official trouble if they poke fun at an openly gay serviceman? I'm not asking if it's right, just if it should be punishable.

[dbackjon]

Jon, can I ask a question and I swear it's not loaded, just tying to noodle through this after hearing this on the news this morning. Do you think sexual orientation should be a protected class in the military? IOW, should people get in official trouble if they poke fun at an openly gay serviceman? I'm not asking if it's right, just if it should be punishable.

It would depend on what was said/done. Everyone should be equal - if a woman/straight/gay is endangered/austrocized solely because of who they are, then that should not be tolerated. But, if a guy gets racked because he is a douche, regardless of orientation, then that is just the military.


There will be hickups, and issues, but hopefully those will disapate over time.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

Jon, can I ask a question and I swear it's not loaded, just tying to noodle through this after hearing this on the news this morning. Do you think sexual orientation should be a protected class in the military? IOW, should people get in official trouble if they poke fun at an openly gay serviceman? I'm not asking if it's right, just if it should be punishable.

my take would be that it ought to be treated like racial incidents - determine if the intent is hostile and abusive first.

[89Hen]

Jon, can I ask a question and I swear it's not loaded, just tying to noodle through this after hearing this on the news this morning. Do you think sexual orientation should be a protected class in the military? IOW, should people get in official trouble if they poke fun at an openly gay serviceman? I'm not asking if it's right, just if it should be punishable.

It would depend on what was said/done. Everyone should be equal - if a woman/straight/gay is endangered/austrocized solely because of who they are, then that should not be tolerated. But, if a guy gets racked because he is a douche, regardless of orientation, then that is just the military.


There will be hickups, and issues, but hopefully those will disapate over time.

The reason I thought of it was on the radio this morning, the gay serviceman they interviewed about this had (how should I say this?) a very stereotypical voice and "couldn't wait to marry his partner in Vermont". It seemed to me that this guy, while now proudly out, will probably be a victim of jabs from homophobic peers. That got me thinking what would happen to his fellow servicemen if they gave him a hard time about being openly gay. It's obvious that he shouldn't recieve different treatment when it comes to promotions or from superiors, but what about peers? Again, not asking if it's right that anyone makes fun of him, but would it be different if peers made fun of somebody because they were skinny, or fat, or had a big nose, or were bald or wore glasses, etc...?

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

"When I joined the military it was illegal to be homosexual, then it became optional.
I'm getting out before Obama makes it mandatory."
GySgt Harry Berres, USMC

Marine in Hell

A Marine dies in combat and wakes up to find he is in hell. He's really depressed as he stands in the processing line waiting to talk to an admittance counselor. He thinks to himself I know I lead a wild life but, Hell, I'm a Marine. We're expected to live wild lives. I wasn't that bad. I never thought it would come to this. " Looking up he sees that it is his turn to be processed into hell. With fear and heavy heart, he walks up to the counselor.

Counselor: What's the problem, you look depressed?

Marine: Well, what do you think? I'm in hell.

Counselor: Hell's not so bad; we actually have a lot of fun. Do you like to drink?

Marine: Of course I do. I'm a Marine.

Counselor: Well then, you are going to love Mondays, On Mondays we drink up a storm. You can have whiskey, rum, tequila, beer, whatever you want and as much you want. We party all night long. You'll love Mondays. Do you smoke?

Marine: Yes, as a matter of fact I do.

Counselor: You are going to love Tuesdays. Tuesday is smoke day. You get to smoke the finest cigars and best cigarettes available anywhere. And you smoke to your heart's desire without worrying about cancer because you are already dead! Is that great or what? You are going to love Tuesdays. Do you like to fight?

Marine: Of course I do. I'm a Marine!

Counselor: You are going to love Wednesdays. That's Fighting Day. We challenge each other to fights to see who's the toughest in Hell. You don't have to worry about getting hurt or killed, because you're already dead. You are going to love Wednesdays. Do you gamble?

Marine: Show me a Marine who doesn't!

Counselor: You are going to love Thursdays, because we gamble all day and night. Black jack, craps, poker, slots, horse races, everything! You are going to love Thursdays. Are you gay?

Marine: Of course, not! I'm a Marine!

Counselor: Oh, you're going to hate Fridays.

[Appaholic]

Just in time for next year's election.....look what Obama has done for Homosexuals! It only took 3 yrs with a stagnant economy and dimming re-election hopes for Obama to 'find his conscience' with regard to DADT....forgive me if I don't break my arm patting him on the back.....now, about that Gitmo thing....

[TwinTownBisonFan]

Just in time for next year's election.....look what Obama has done for Homosexuals! It only took 3 yrs with a stagnant economy and dimming re-election hopes for Obama to 'find his conscience' with regard to DADT....forgive me if I don't break my arm patting him on the back.....now, about that Gitmo thing....

DADT repeal has been in the works since the opening weeks of the administration.

Obama, smartly, listened to DoD and gave it some lead time - getting the world's LARGEST employer to change direction takes time.

Oddly enough, this is classic Obama - work, prepare - let everyone grouse about how slow things are going, but then - inevitably - it gets done, just like he promised...

[Skjellyfetti]

It only took 3 yrs....forgive me if I don't break my arm patting him on the back.....

About the same time for the military to implement Truman's executive order desegregating the military... 1948-1951.

[Skjellyfetti]

the world's LARGEST employer

I think that's actually Wal-Mart. 2 million employees in the US alone.

[89Hen]

Just in time for next year's election.....look what Obama has done for Homosexuals! It only took 3 yrs with a stagnant economy and dimming re-election hopes for Obama to 'find his conscience' with regard to DADT....forgive me if I don't break my arm patting him on the back.....now, about that Gitmo thing....

DADT repeal has been in the works since the opening weeks of the administration.

Obama, smartly, listened to DoD and gave it some lead time - getting the world's LARGEST employer to change direction takes time.

Oddly enough, this is classic Obama - work, prepare - let everyone grouse about how slow things are going, but then - inevitably - it gets done, just like he promised...

Classic Obama? More like classic TTBF.

BTW, don't China, Russia, North Korea, India... all have larger militaries?

[Skjellyfetti]

BTW, don't China, Russia, North Korea, India... all have larger militaries?

Just China.

[Appaholic]

Oddly enough, this is classic Obama - work, prepare - let everyone grouse about how slow things are going, but then - inevitably - it gets done, just like he promised...

I see....so we should expect the same with regards to Bush tax cuts, Gitmo, Patriot Act & getting out of Iraq & Afghanistan over the next 13 mos? Wow, that's quite a tall order while also running for re-election....

[CID1990]

Boy I thought Bush had shameless apologists, but the Obamabots have taken it to a whole new level.

[Ibanez]

"When I joined the military it was illegal to be homosexual, then it became optional.
I'm getting out before Obama makes it mandatory."
GySgt Harry Berres, USMC

[

What a stupid, fucking comment.

[CID1990]

- After years of debate and months of final preparations, the military can no longer prevent gays from serving openly in its ranks.

Repeal of a 1993 law that allowed gays to serve only so long as they kept their sexual orientation private took effect Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. EDT.

Some in Congress still oppose the change, but top Pentagon leaders have certified that it will not undermine the military's ability to recruit or to fight wars.

The Army was distributing a business-as-usual statement Tuesday saying simply, "The law is repealed," and reminding soldiers to treat each other fairly.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/09/ ... 8690.shtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So when are you signing up, Sweetie?

[Ibanez]

BTW, don't China, Russia, North Korea, India... all have larger militaries?

Just China.

Wrong. THe USA has the largest, followed by Russia then China.

http://www.globalfirepower.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They source the CIA and LIbrary of Congress

We're second, behind the Saudi's, in Budget as a % of GDP

http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailycha ... ce_budgets" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[GannonFan]

Oddly enough, this is classic Obama - work, prepare - let everyone grouse about how slow things are going, but then - inevitably - it gets done, just like he promised...

Seriously, you didn't really mean that, did you? As an Obama voter, it's pretty easy to list the things he's promised that haven't come true. DADT is fine and all, and something that should've been fixed years before Obama even came into office, but it pales in comparison to the big things like the economy and direction of the country. And it's there that promises not kept are pretty significant.

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

Just China.

Wrong. THe USA has the largest, followed by Russia then China.

http://www.globalfirepower.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They source the CIA and LIbrary of Congress

We're second, behind the Saudi's, in Budget as a % of GDP

http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailycha ... ce_budgets" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just using your source above, China has the most troops, either active or total.

China
Active Military: 2,285,000 [2011]
Active Reserve: 800,000 [2011]
3,085,000


US
Active Military: 1,477,896 [2011]
Active Reserve: 1,458,500 [2011]
2,936,396

Russia
Active Military: 1,200,000 [2011]
Active Reserve: 754,000 [2011]
1,954,000



The scary numbers are these:

Russia
Fit for Service: 46,812,553 [2011]

US
Fit for Service: 120,022,084 [2011

Idia
Fit for Service: 489,571,520 [2011]

China
Fit for Service: 618,588,627 [2011]

[grizzaholic]

Wrong. THe USA has the largest, followed by Russia then China.

http://www.globalfirepower.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They source the CIA and LIbrary of Congress

We're second, behind the Saudi's, in Budget as a % of GDP

http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailycha ... ce_budgets" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just using your source above, China has the most troops, either active or total.

The scary numbers are these:

Russia
Fit for Service: 46,812,553 [2011]

US
Fit for Service: 120,022,084 [2011

Idia
Fit for Service: 489,571,520 [2011]

China
Fit for Service: 618,588,627 [2011]

Um...That is why they invented the Dillon Aero Company.

[Michele Bachmann]

Fear not America! If elected, I will fix this.