Open Letter to General Amos

[zsdersw]

http://daily.gay.com/hot_topics/2010/11/a-letter-to-general-amos.html

Dear General Amos,

As a Marine Corps veteran, let me congratulate you on your new position as the 35th Commandant of the US Marine Corps (USMC). As the commandant, it falls to you to represent all of your Marines. Though now only a few weeks into your tenure, you have not to lived up to that expectation.

The USMC is an institution which values above all other traits, honor, courage, and commitment. Nowhere in the Marine Corps Hymn does it say, “Only if you’re not into other dudes”; nowhere on my uniform was a label that read, “Will not fit homosexuals”; and nowhere in my General Orders did it say, “Defend only your straight brothers in arms.” So, many of us are wondering why you’ve chosen to make the public statements that you have.

During your first town hall you stated, “We recruit differently. We recruit on a warrior ethos.” Being that gays will inevitably serve openly in the USMC, it shows a tremendous lack of faith in your Marines to think that the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" (DADT) will somehow change what Marines are.

The USMC will continue to attract the same kind of recruit who inhabits this "warrior ethos" regardless if that recruit is gay or straight. Despite what you fear about the repeal of DADT, its repeal will not magically reverse the order of things. Warriors will not become pacifists, tops will not become bottoms, Republicans will not become Democrats, and Marines will not become hippies. Regardless of your opinions, Marines are and will still be Marines, gay or straight. Marines who are gay are just that; Marines first and anything else second. From the moment we earn our title, all Marines are green.

With all eyes on you, you must be accountable for your words. It is important to understand that when you say, “This is about combat effectiveness.” you are carelessly telling Marines in your command that you doubt their effectiveness. Saying DADT is “a reasonable compromise between the unique requirements of military services and the aspirations of qualified citizens who are interested in military service.” tells past, current, and future Marines who are gay that you fundamentally do not view them as adequate or qualified. And, when you go as far as to say "There is nothing more intimate than young men and young women — and when you talk of infantry, we're talking our young men — laying out, sleeping alongside of one another and sharing death, fear and loss of brothers," you insult the honor, courage, and commitment of EVERY Marine by implying that their bond is somehow conditional. Marines are devout believers in comradery, unity, and, by proxy, equality.

While you express a desire to preserve the “macho” of the USMC, I am insulted you’d be so quick to sell the Corps short. Maybe your seniority has made you forgot the adage “adapt and overcome.” Maybe you haven't noticed that not all Marines are the same shade of green or, maybe you’ve forgotten your first General Order “To take charge of this post and ALL government property in view.” Marines, no matter what shade of green they may be, are your property, your responsibility.

All Marines are leaders, all Marines are rifleman. You said yourself, “There’s expectations of Marines, when they come in: they join us, we don’t join them.” No judgment issued by the courts, no law by congress, and no admission by a brother will change that. The USMC attracts warriors. For 235 years Marines who are gay have fought alongside Marines who are straight as brothers and as warriors. We have already faced war and we will continue to face it as an unconditional band of brothers. What the repeal of DADT means is an elevated level of our honor and integrity for all Marines who are gay and the Marines who fight beside them. As our leader, I do not understand what interest you have in denying us that.

In making the statements you’ve made, I’m both confused by what you have chosen to say and more confused that you chose to say it publicly. I’d like to ask why you would willingly disobey Secretary of Defense Robert Gates' and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen’s order not to discuss your personal feelings on the repeal of DADT with the press? As our new leader, to have disobeyed this order, despite the content, shows a lack of honor, a lack of integrity, and a lack of leadership. The impression your statements have given those of us who look to your leadership is a bad impression. If preserving good moral and unit cohesion is your goal, I fail to see how defying your superiors and alienating your troops helps you achieve this goal. The impression you have given many of those serving and many veterans is that you are judgmental, doubting, and insubordinate. The statements you have made paint you as the commandant of a chosen few of your Marines. It is up to you to prove us wrong. I hope you do.

Semper Fidelis
Brett Edward Stout
Cpl., USMC, Veteran

Indeed.

 

[PokerGuy]

It is up to you to prove us wrong

What a load of crap. He doesn't have to prove anything to anyone, and he certainly doesn't have to care what some former marine has to say.

 

[zsdersw]

What a load of crap. He doesn't have to prove anything to anyone, and he certainly doesn't have to care what some former marine has to say.

What do you think about the rest of the letter?

 

[trenchfoot]

"Once a Marine, Always a Marine".

Sounds like this marine vet had a yoke to toss off and took it out on the General. I respect him for holding it in until he got out, just like all those retired generals/admirals did wrt Rumsfeld back in the Bush years.

 

[lupi]

All aboard the whambulance.

 

[ProfJohn]

It is the job of the Commandant to enforce the rules and regulations set forth by the Defense Department and the Commander in Chief (Obama) if these people got together and determined that the marines would wear pink into combat this general would be out giving speeches about how effect pink is at throwing off the enemy etc etc.

If you really want to make a point write the letter to Obama, it's his decision.

 

[Fear No Evil]

It is the job of the Commandant to enforce the rules and regulations set forth by the Defense Department and the Commander in Chief (Obama) if these people got together and determined that the marines would wear pink into combat this general would be out giving speeches about how effect pink is at throwing off the enemy etc etc.

If you really want to make a point write the letter to Obama, it's his decision.

Exactly. Obama could end this practice almost overnight if he wanted to. However, as I have stated in the past, Obama does not appear to be a very strong ally of the gay community.

 

[zsdersw]

Exactly. Obama could end this practice almost overnight if he wanted to. However, as I have stated in the past, Obama does not appear to be a very strong ally of the gay community.

I suspect the fallout from such a decision would be worse than the fallout from not being a strong ally of the gay community.

 

[PokerGuy]

What do you think about the rest of the letter?

It's misguided and misdirected. The military doesn't make the rules, they follow them.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

General Amos (he invent Famous Amos cookies by chance? I think so), was an idiot for saying anything on this subject. This is the type of thing you don't comment on due to the political fallout from whichever side you are on.

The letter should be directed at Obama/Congress though. Ultimately it is their responsibility to repeal DADT. Even if General Amos stated that "GLBT can serve openly in the marine corps", that does mean that these openly gay marines would not still get discharged for being openly gay. This is just like medical weed, where it might be legal based on state laws (in this case the marine corps if he had permitted it) but still illegal federally. So, now the general has put himself on the side that will ultimately lose this debate, created possible future political issues, and has nothing to show for any of it.

This letter is stupid though as it doesn't matter if the general said "I welcome all gays to serve in the marines, and they can serve openly" or if he said what he actually has stated. Either way the fact of the matter remains that the law is on the books, and until Obama/congress end DADT it really doesn't matter what any leader in the armed forces implements or states (outside of showing their intelligence or lack there of).

 

[Thump553]

It is the job of the Commandant to enforce the rules and regulations set forth by the Defense Department and the Commander in Chief (Obama) if these people got together and determined that the marines would wear pink into combat this general would be out giving speeches about how effect pink is at throwing off the enemy etc etc.

If you really want to make a point write the letter to Obama, it's his decision.

Both you and your choir FNE, are dead wrong. DODT was codified into statute. Congress must act to repeal it, the President cannot reverse it by fiat.

One of the main roadblocks standing in the way is John McCain who keeps coming up with one excuse after another to delay a vote. Since the year long study by the services has been completed (and held in favor of abolishing DODT) McCain now disregards that exhuastive study and the testimony of head of the Joint Chief of Staffs and of the Defense Secretary, and now calls for yet another round of Congressional headings.

The GOP is gaining two things by delaying and keeping DODT in place-scoring political points by embarassing the President (at the expense of the armed services) and appealing to the homophobe voters. I expect to see absolutely no cooperation by the GOP leadership to any efforts to repeal DODT.

 

[Fear No Evil]

Both you and your choir FNE, are dead wrong. DODT was codified into statute. Congress must act to repeal it, the President cannot reverse it by fiat.

One of the main roadblocks standing in the way is John McCain who keeps coming up with one excuse after another to delay a vote. Since the year long study by the services has been completed (and held in favor of abolishing DODT) McCain now disregards that exhuastive study and the testimony of head of the Joint Chief of Staffs and of the Defense Secretary, and now calls for yet another round of Congressional headings.

The GOP is gaining two things by delaying and keeping DODT in place-scoring political points by embarassing the President (at the expense of the armed services) and appealing to the homophobe voters. I expect to see absolutely no cooperation by the GOP leadership to any efforts to repeal DODT.

Bullshit. If Obama came out and told congress that he wants this repealed IMMEDIATELY it would be. Lets also not forget that the Democrats hold a damn near fillibuster proof majority in both houses. They can get this done NOW if they wanted to. The fact is the DEMOCRATS and Obama himself have little interest in pushing this through.

 

[xj0hnx]

Bullshit. If Obama came out and told congress that he wants this repealed IMMEDIATELY it would be. Lets also not forget that the Democrats hold a damn near fillibuster proof majority in both houses. They can get this done NOW if they wanted to. The fact is the DEMOCRATS and Obama himself have little interest in pushing this through.

Why would they when they can score double points with their homophobe voters, and blame republicans?

 

[Fear No Evil]

Why would they when they can score double points with their homophobe voters, and blame republicans?

Exactly.

 

[Thump553]

So FNE, you think repealing DODT should be the top agenda now, ahead of "jobs, jobs, jobs" and the imminent demise of the Bush tax cut giveaway?

 

[Fear No Evil]

So FNE, you think repealing DODT should be the top agenda now, ahead of "jobs, jobs, jobs" and the imminent demise of the Bush tax cut giveaway?

Obama.. being one of the smartest President's in the history of the world.. can surely multitask? Maybe one less Jon Stewart interview?

 

[Fern]

-snip-
One of the main roadblocks standing in the way is John McCain who keeps coming up with one excuse after another to delay a vote.

Is there some unusual Senate rule allowing McCain to delay a vote?

McCain is in the minority party, so I'm pretty sure he cannot delay or bring to vote any bill. Harry Reid of the majority party has control of the schedule, so it is up to Reid and the appropriate Senate Committee Chairman (a Dem) to delay or bring to a vote.

If you're aware of a specific Senate rule allowing a single member of the minority party (or even the majority party) to delay a vote on a bill, please let us know. Next I want to know why no Repub member of the Senate excercised this rule for the health care or Stimulous bills.

Fern

 

[jorken]

Code Red

 

[manimal]

Obama.. being one of the smartest President's in the history of the world.. can surely multitask? Maybe one less Jon Stewart interview?

So your saying he can multitask and work on jobs and health care?



back on topic-

This general stepped outside of his privy and slapped the leadership in their face. He needs to fall on his sword like a good soldier..

someone needs to remind these guys that civilian oversight still exists...

Maybe he and general Mcchristal can start a I hate fags band....

 

[Darwin333]

So FNE, you think repealing DODT should be the top agenda now, ahead of "jobs, jobs, jobs" and the imminent demise of the Bush tax cut giveaway?

I am curious as to how much time this would truly require if they were committed to getting it done?

 

[xj0hnx]

I am curious as to how much time this would truly require if they were committed to getting it done?

Half an hour? A few conference calls?

 

[manimal]

I am curious as to how much time this would truly require if they were committed to getting it done?

Stopping enforcement and throwing out all current investigations would be a easy start...oh wait....

 

[Ackmed]

Sorry, I do not want any gays around me. Especially not the way we had to live in Afghanistan.

This general stepped outside of his privy and slapped the leadership in their face. He needs to fall on his sword like a good soldier..

He is not a soldier, he is a Marine. I would appreciate if you did not make that mistake again.

 

[CallMeJoe]

Is there some unusual Senate rule allowing McCain to delay a vote?
McCain is in the minority party, so I'm pretty sure he cannot delay or bring to vote any bill. Harry Reid of the majority party has control of the schedule, so it is up to Reid and the appropriate Senate Committee Chairman (a Dem) to delay or bring to a vote.
If you're aware of a specific Senate rule allowing a single member of the minority party (or even the majority party) to delay a vote on a bill, please let us know. Next I want to know why no Repub member of the Senate excercised this rule for the health care or Stimulous bills.
Fern

Any member of the Senate, whether of the majority or minority party, may place a "Hold" on a bill. Overcoming this hold requires the same 60 vote majority as cloture on a filibuster.
The Republicans did not use the hold on the legislation you cite because a hold is redundant when already using the filibuster.

 

[ProfJohn]

Learned something new tonight...

Constitution says that Congress is "To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;"

Which mean that Obama can not in fact turn it over on his own, my bad.
That still does not excuse the Democrats for not acting on the over turning of DADT for the last 2 or 4 years.

If they had been smart they would have passed a repeal of the law while Bush was in office and forced him to veto it and then they could have blamed him all day long.