Harming the Troops

[spacial]

Kinda stupid this one.

Republican lawmakers love to say they are protective of religious freedom and supportive of the military. Last week, Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee passed two measures that undermine both in an effort to deny equal rights to gay men and lesbians.

.................

Just hours after Mr. Obama tried to lead the nation forward, the House Armed Services Committee was turning the clock back. On a 37-to-24 party-line vote, the committee approved an amendment to the annual military budget bill that would bar the use of a "military installation or other property owned or rented by, or otherwise under the jurisdiction or control of the Department of Defense" for a same-sex marriage or "marriage-like ceremony."

This measure is a flagrant violation of the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of religion — a right that conservatives champion when it suits their political agenda. If, for example, a Navy chaplain wanted to perform a same-sex wedding, he would be prohibited from doing so in his chapel — even if it is in a state that recognizes same-sex marriages.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/opinion/sunday/harming-the-troops.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha211_20120513

[Sephirah]

Anything to be difficult.

Next will be denying use of military kitchens to cook wedding cakes, followed by standing orders to all military bands that they're not allowed to play the Wedding March.

Honestly, some people really need a hobby.

[lilacwoman]

weird!
Obama needs to call that bunch of bigots in an spell out to them who is in charge and what century we are in...but then they probly look at him as some bootblack that walks about the White House when the real prez is out on business.

[Keaira]

I always find it amazing how American politicians can stay in office for so long despite being so freakin stupid! They are living proof that Stupid people move faster up the ranks because of a misguided belief that if you promote an idiot to senior management level, you get them away from where they can do harm.

[Cindy]

My brother and sister in law have just returned form the USA. They are American Citizens who live in Australia, and did the grand tour of the rellies. Most of whom are elderly.

My brother in law is totally straight. he accepted me immediately. He is a lovely person.

One of a series of comments.

' You wouldn't believe the place, I had relatives telling me Obama is changing the constitution to allow: (name it) gays, incest, same sex marriage (it is going to be taught in the schools as normal), inter racial breeding, and other crap that he and I just shook our heads about.

He said he had to stop talking to his relatives, about such stuff as he was so angry.

He would say. The President cannot change the constitution. Oh but they can. How much knowledge is there. I'm Australian, I know that the USA President cannot change the constitution . You have 'voters' who think they can.

I was shocked at how polarised the USA has become.

I will not go on.

Hugs

Cindy

[spacial]

That is the big one I've also noticed Cindy. It is so sad.

What seems especially shocking is that the two groups seem almost oblivious to each other's existance, to the extent that they barely register each other.

I don't meet a lot of people these days, other than on this and one other forum so my opportunities for observation are limited. The way so many notions that, with a tiny amount of thought, could dismissed as just plain silly, are taken so seriously. This isn't new of course. I could see this back in the 80s when I was still part of the outside world myself.

But what is especially sad and alarming is how those with an agenda, politicians, journalists and others, seem to take such pleasure in feeding this mania. This measure is clearly designed as a stunt, yet in doing so, shows utter contempt not only for the US government and country, but for the principals of the constitution itself.

[Michelle-G]

Honestly, most military chaplains I know are prone to ignoring stupid regulations when they conflict with religious liberty.  That said, I can see military chaplains (that is, those chaplains whose denominations or personal convictions support it) performing same sex weddings regardless of what Congress says.