Ben Carson weighs in on letting transgender people serve in military

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ben-carson-questions-women-transgender-people-in-military/

CBS News/By/ Reena Flores/ CBS News/ December 5, 2015, 6:09 PM

"Though transgender individuals are currently banned from military service, studies estimate that as many as 15,000 transgender people serve as active duty or reserve officers. Some research indicates that transgender citizens are twice as likely as members of the general population to join the military."

Carson says, "The retired neurosurgeon continued: "When our men and women are out there, you know, fighting the enemy, the last thing that we need to be doing is saying, 'What would it be like if we introduced several transgender people into this platoon?'"

Mmmmmmm,  I expect I could tell him exactly what it's like if you introduced a transgender person to lead a company of U.S. Paratroopers.  LOL


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I look at Carson and the rest of those chicken hawk Republican candidates as fools as they beat their hollow chests pronouncing on things they have no idea about.


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What an insult to brave transgender soldiers who stand up not just to battlefield demands the way other soldiers do but also to prejudice both institutional and personal.

We are looking into the face of evil.

*Shudders*

Quote from: suzifrommd on December 05, 2015, 08:23:09 PM
We are looking into the face of evil.

Don't attribute to malice that which can be attributed to stupidity.

Quote from: sparrow on December 05, 2015, 08:25:24 PM
Don't attribute to malice that which can be attributed to stupidity.

Alas, I believe Dr. Carson has more than enough brain power to understand how harmful his words are. He, himself, has been a victim of hate and marginalization. He is well aware of the damage he is doing.

Ben Carson: Transgender Troops 'Thing' Needs The U.S. Military's Old 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Gay Policy Back

http://www.inquisitr.com/2613950/ben-carson-transgender-troops-thing-needs-the-u-s-militarys-old-dont-ask-dont-tell-gay-policy-back/

Inquistr/Patrick Frye   12/06/2015

During World War II, much the same argument was made about blacks serving in the US armed forces..we had to focus on fighting the enemy and the armed forces was no place for social experimentation.... Obviously don't ask, don't tell didn't apply but the rest..

Jen

Everything with those guys always comes down to "flaunting one's sexuality."  Their saying that just demonstrates they don't have the slightest clue about any of this.  It's like talking to aliens from another universe.


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I really wish Ben Carson would stop flaunting his sexuality.  Ugh.  Heterosexuals, amirite?  Have you seen all of those pictures with Ben and Candy in them, standing shoulder to shoulder and smiling?  So gross.

Know who flaunts their sexuality more than any other group of people I've interacted with?  Heterosexual infantrymen.  This time I'm rather serious when I say... gross.

Quote from: sparrow on December 07, 2015, 02:36:04 PM
Know who flaunts their sexuality more than any other group of people I've interacted with?  Heterosexual infantrymen.  This time I'm rather serious when I say... gross.

LOL, that's true.


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QuoteKnow who flaunts their sexuality more than any other group of people I've interacted with?  Heterosexual infantrymen.  This time I'm rather serious when I say... gross.

That was true in my day too. Walking the jungle west of Chu Lai everyone had to let everyone else know they weren't queer.

Quote from: sparrow on December 07, 2015, 02:36:04 PM
I really wish Ben Carson would stop flaunting his sexuality.  Ugh.  Heterosexuals, amirite?  Have you seen all of those pictures with Ben and Candy in them, standing shoulder to shoulder and smiling?  So gross.

Know who flaunts their sexuality more than any other group of people I've interacted with?  Heterosexual infantrymen.  This time I'm rather serious when I say... gross.

This and this.

To be honest, I increasingly feel a bit uncomfortable when people display their heterosexuality, and with heterosexual content in movies and TV shows - *not* because I have anything against straight people or heterosexuality in itself, but because it reminds me of the heteronormativity we face even in more liberal societies, given the overrepresentation of straight couples in media, and the fact that straight people never have to consider whether it's safe to display affection publicly, or fear how people will react if you mention your partner.

So obviously, my problem isn't with people "flaunting" their heterosexuality, it's with heteronormativity. But the fact that people can "flaunt" their heterosexuality without even being perceived as "flaunters", is a huge part of heteronormativity. And even here, in one of the most liberal cities in the world, there are still gay bashings and nasty comments even though most of the time gay couples can show affection safely. But those admittedly few episodes still add that little voice in the back of your head telling you you should be careful about what you do publicly, which is something straight cis people don't even have to consider. And when I see straight PDA in public, I can't help but being reminded of this. Which is sad, since I really wish I could just think "oh that's so cute, they're lucky to be in love" and be happy for them.