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February 26, 2010
Top US Marine Rejects Obama Plan To Repeal Gay Ban
General James Terry Conway, USMC
34th Commandant of the Marine Corps (2006 - present)
Commandant of the US Marine Corps General James T. Conway . The head of the US Marines said on Thursday he opposed ending the ban on gays serving openly in the military, the first top officer to break openly with President Barack Obama over the issue.
The head of the US Marines said on Thursday he opposed ending the ban on gays serving openly in the military, the first top officer to break openly with President Barack Obama over the issue.
General James Conway told the Senate Armed Services Committee that he disagreed with Obama's plan to repeal the ban.
"My best military advice to this committee, to the (defense) secretary, and to the president would be to keep the law such as it is."
Conway said the current policy worked and any bid to lift the ban should answer the question: "do we somehow enhance the war fighting capabilities of the United States Marine Corps by allowing homosexuals to openly serve?"
Conway's public rejection of his commander-in-chief's stance is sure to fuel debate in Congress on the issue and reflects apprehension among some senior military officers about changing the 1993 law.
The chiefs of the US Army and Air Force also expressed doubts about lifting the ban at congressional hearings this week, saying they were concerned about putting the military under further strain in the midst of two wars.
But Conway went further, making it clear he opposed lifting the ban that requires gay service members to keep quiet about their sexual orientation or face expulsion from the military.
His comments contrasted sharply with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, who has spoken forcefully in favor of ending the ban.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates has called for a review of the issue to survey service members and examine the possible effect of changing the law, known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Senator Joe Lieberman disagreed with Conway, saying he believed the review would show that allowing gays to serve openly would bolster the military's battle readiness.
"This has to pass the test of military readiness. I believe it will based on my knowledge of what's happened in other militaries," he said, citing British and Canadian forces who serve alongside American troops inAfghanistan.
Wild Thing's comment.......
Latest military polling indicates the same sentiments.....
Posted by Wild Thing at February 26, 2010 04:50 AM
Comments
Thats good enough for me. The CMC says no and thats it end of discussion, case closed.
It use to be if one was caught, they got 6-6 and a kick, six months loss of pay, six months brig time and a DD, Dishonorable Discharge, ( like Kerry).
This Admiral Mullen has his head in the sand. The Navy already has a problem with women aboard ship, shit one carrier was called the "Love Boat" they had so many pregnancies. NOw if you start mixing queers in with that, you won't have an Armed Forces anymore but a new Version of the "Villiage People".
Finally Brass with a spine.
Posted by: Mark at February 26, 2010 07:59 AM
Look for General Conway to submit his retirement paperwork soon. You can bet Obama isn't pleased.
Posted by: BobF at February 26, 2010 09:18 AM
Our biggest mistake was opening the closets and allowing them flaunt their queerness rather than just blending in with everyone else. Back in the closet Brucie!
Posted by: Eddie (Enemy of the State) at February 26, 2010 12:39 PM
Eddie said it for me.
Posted by: TomR at February 26, 2010 01:20 PM
A brass hat with brass balls, finally. Good for him.
Posted by: Bob A at February 26, 2010 02:33 PM
The Commandant of my beloved Marine Corps says no to gays, then that's enough for me.
Sadly, this means the end of his career.
Semper Fi, Gen. Conway, Semper Fi
Posted by: Billy Ray at February 26, 2010 11:15 PM
Thanks everyone.
Posted by: Wild Thing at February 27, 2010 03:52 AM
Given the advers impact on the public image of US forces that haviing Gays openly serving will have no high ranking officer should be supporting the Obama proposition.
Because of the disease spreading of homosexual conduct it is illegal in most of the world. We have enough problems with the poor image that Hollywood paints of the American Military. We really do not need to anounce that we're are bringing sexual criminals with us into host countries.
Posted by: Avutar at February 28, 2010 01:07 AM
Love to get the opionions of our patriotic military on Air Force Chaplain Lt. Col. Gary Bertsch's statement.:
Obama pressures chaplains to silence speech about homosexual ban
Link: http://prayinjesusname.org/radio/radioweek28feb-6mar10/
The Senior Military Chaplain at Andrews Air Force Base fearfully disinvited Tony Perkins, leader of the Family Research Council and former Marine officer, from a scheduled speaking engagement at a prayer breakfast, because of pressure by the Obama Administration to censor speech by military chaplains against homosexual sin. Air Force Chaplain Lt. Col. Gary Bertsch wrote Perkins as he cancelled the invitation, "As military members we are sworn to support our Commander in Chief, and are forbidden to make or support statements which run counter to our roles as members of the armed forces." Perkins had elsewhere criticized efforts to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," but did not intend to speak on the subject at the prayer breakfast, and was shocked by the irony of being censored for merely advocating enforcement of current federal law.
Posted by: Maureen at March 1, 2010 11:46 AM
Don't worry lads, Gen Conway is not retiring anytime soon. His tenure as leader of our beloved Corps will end in November 2010. But just as we did in the Chosin Frozen, we have circled the wagons and will fight to keep our honor clean. God Bless our Commandant and the Marines.
Posted by: Master Guns at March 2, 2010 08:50 PM
