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Mar. 13, 2007 General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has put his foot in his mouth. But I think that's a good thing. It is about time that the underlying homophobia of the military be outed in public. you see, as the head honcho of the military, other than the president, he has spoken no truer than any soldier, airman, marine or sailor. In fact, his sentiment is shared amongst my former brothers and sisters in arms because, frankly, they don't know better. Because, to them, that is what they were taught. Over the passage of time we have come to accept social norms such as discrimination against women and ethnicity because, as a collective, we were taught that it was okay to be that way. It's not right, it's just how we were raised. But homosexuality is just the scapegoat of the day. While Muslims are gaining ground, homosexuals are still the okay way to discriminate. After all, haven't we always made fun of our friends, calling them gay because it is considered an insult? But homosexuality isn't so deviant from anyone else. In average society, you know where being gay is still an abomination against nature, normal, average people have all kinds of sex. I won't go into detail but you know who you are. When I was in the military it was okay to talk about how you defiled your spouse, and they defiled you, in certain circles. Since I am a one-woman kind of guy and respect my girlfriend, and I just sat back and listened. Most servicemembers, at least the guys, would wear their deviance as a badge of honor. I am so glad that their spouses or lovers were not there to hear what I've heard. Only thing different is that it was socially acceptable when it should not have been. Why is it okay for straight couples to do whatever, whenever and where ever while homosexuals are immoral? Sexuality is immoral only in the sense that it is done between non-consenting adults. The morality lies in the act of abusing someone, not in being free to choose your own path. I am sure if homosexuals had a choice in the matter, if their brains were wired correctly, they would not choose they way they do. It is not a choice to be gay. You either are or are not. But to be so frank as Gen. Pace was seems to mean that, speaking for the entire military, he is okay with this form of discrimination. As he did today, a mea culpa was in order and he did it. But it doesn't erase the fact that our servicemembers still are taught that it is okay to discriminate. Ones sexuality should have no bearing on their ability to serve their country. If I am straight, it has no bearing on how I do my job. The same goes for if I were not. It is a hindrance to service that should be abolished because we need all the people we can in uniform. And, over time, people will just have to learn to accept one another. Whether it be a matter of skin color or religious beliefs, anyone willing to serve and die for the sake of their country should have the right to do so. What is more disturbing is the military's willingness to take society's degenerates and criminals to fill the ranks. I am surprised at how open the policy of recruitment has become since, when I joined, it was far stricter. Things like taking certain medications, criminal background and intelligence were deciding factors. No more of that, though. So thank you, Gen. Pace. It is about time someone put their foot in their mouth so that everyone can see. Let's move on and try to win hearts and minds and make a real difference in discrimination. Peace. ------------ About the author: Nicholas Olson is an aspiring playwright and former journalist. He spent parts of his high school, college and professional life as a journalist, serving as a military journalist from 2000-06. Mr. Olson is an avid writer and enjoys political opinion. His views are not that of any particular party or of the country he once served: They are his own. Email: nicholasjolson@yahoo.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com. Please link to this article rather than copying and pasting it onto your site (which would be unauthorized and illegal). |
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