Top US Marine rejects Obama plan to repeal gay ban

• Con_Alma

  It's interesting to me that in that in 1917 there was a need for additional persons to serve. Woman were selected due to this need. Although their positions were very defined and noncombat related there was still a willingness to apply a former socially non-accepted person into the military.
• Con_Alma

  General Colin Powell had the following to say in his book The Life Of Colin Powell regarding the issue you raised.
  
  “kin color is a benign, non-behavioral characteristic. Sexual orientation is perhaps the most profound of human behavioral characteristics. Comparing the two is a convenient but invalid argument.”
• cbus4life

  Wow, interesting quote, and can't really argue with that.
• I Wear Pants

  Con_Alma wrote: General Colin Powell had the following to say in his book The Life Of Colin Powell regarding the issue you raised.
  
  “kin color is a benign, non-behavioral characteristic. Sexual orientation is perhaps the most profound of human behavioral characteristics. Comparing the two is a convenient but invalid argument.”

  
  Powell is in favor of repealing DADT.
  
  http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/02/03/powell.gays.military/index.html
• Con_Alma

  He certainly is... just as many top military officials are. I think the key is similar to what General Swartzkopf stated in that when it's no longer an issue to those who serve in mass it should be repealed. A key word of General Powell is "eventually".
  
  I also find this comment interesting in the article. ""General Powell has made clear that his position is about effectiveness in the military," Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solomonese said."
  
  This has been my position all along. It's not a social issue. It's a military effectiveness issue.
  
  Indeed there may be no more reason to maintain this legislation but if the reason for having it is gone it is truly a legislative issue and not an executive branch issue. I agree with Mr. Powell in that it should be jointly decided by the military's "top brass" and Congress. I disagree with him that even though our President is the Commander In Chief I don't believe it's an issue that he should spearhead like he has do to the divisive political climate we currently have and the fact that it will be and has been received as a political issue.
  
  It shouldn't be as much as possible a politcal issue. It's is and should remain a military issue.