Democrats Mask-a-Raid on Troop Bill

The American military is trying to win two conflicts abroad, so the last thing it needs is to be deployed in a culture war to legitimize homosexuality. Unfortunately, that didn't stop House leaders from piggybacking on a military funding bill to pass their pet project: "hate crimes." Yesterday, the House voted 281 to 146 in favor of extending special federal protection to homosexuals as part of the $680 billion Defense Authorization bill, a maneuver that Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) called a "disgrace." The Democratic majority "should be ashamed at the way it has used the needs of our men and women in uniform as a platform for a partisan agenda," he said. Republicans tried to stop Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) from hijacking the bill on Wednesday but failed by 56 votes from stripping hate crimes from H.R. 2647.

Under the charge of House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), 131 Republicans and 15 Democrats opposed the bill, but in the end it wasn't enough to stop Nancy Pelosi. After the vote, Rep. Boehner was frank in his disappointment--not only because hate crimes passed, but because liberals used an otherwise popular military bill to infringe on the very freedom our soldiers are fighting for." This is radical social policy that ... is being put on the defense authorization bill, on the backs of our soldiers, because they probably can't pass it on its own," he told reporters. The first prize on a very long wish list for homosexuals, "hate crimes" now heads to the Senate for approval.

I would tend to think that maybe, just maybe the military kinda 'owes' homosexuals after decades of denying them the right to fight for their own country. :whistle:

It is a shame. But, it has been a method of both parties getting what they want by tying in something unpopular into a bill that will undoubtedly be passed because most of it is important and worth passing. So, at this particular point, the Democrats basically held the pay of over 1 million active duty personnel and other important benefits hostage until they got their pet project passed--in a bill where it had no business being.

Going through the FY 2010 NDAA, I noted a number of note worthy sections. Some of those are:

Amend the Servicemembers Relief Act (previously Soldiers/Sailors Relief Act) to include relief from utility companies.

Protection for service members deployed in theatre for child custody situations.

Allows Family Medical Leave Act to apply to those in theatre.

3.4% pay increase beginning January 2010

Makes chiropractic services a covered benefit.

**Renames the Department of the Navy to the Department of the Navy and MARINE CORPS (oohrah!)

Prohibits DoD funds from being used to transfer an inmate at Gitmo who is a non U.S. citizen until POTUS submits a plan of disposition of each individual to the defense and appropriation committees.

But, here is one that was somewhat hidden and took me by surprised.
Section 1036 -
Requires a report from the Secretary to the defense and appropriations committees on how the notification to individuals detained by the United States in Afghanistan of their legal rights under Miranda v. Arizona may affect Operation Enduring Freedom and interrogations and intelligence-gathering activities in Afghanistan.[

Hmmm...did not know this was an issue.
Section 1211 -
Prohibits the use of funds from this Act to: (1) establish any military installation or base for providing for the permanent stationing of U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq; or (2) exercise control of the oil resources of Iraq.

Writing on the wall????
Section 1106 -
Amends the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 to extend to DOD civilians working in Pakistan the same employee benefits currently provided to DOD civilian working in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Section 1214 -
Establishes in DOD a Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund to provide assistance to the security forces of Pakistan to improve their counterinsurgency capabilities. Earmarks Fund amounts to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Pakistan, but only as part of civil-military training exercises for Pakistani security forces receiving assistance from the Fund. Provides for transfers to and from the Fund. Prohibits amounts from being obligated or transferred from the Fund until 15 days after the Secretary has notified the defense, appropriations, and foreign relations committees of the purpose of the obligation or transfer. Terminates assistance authority at the end of FY2010.

Section 1222 -
Requires the Secretary to: (1) assess possible alternatives to reimbursements to Pakistan for logistical, military, or other support provided to or in connection with U.S. military operations; and (2) report assessment results to the defense, appropriations, and foreign relations committees.

Section 1223 -
Directs the President to: (1) conduct semiannual assessments on progress toward long-term security and stability in Pakistan; and (2) report to Congress 30 days after completing each assessment. Terminates the assessments requirement five years after the enactment of this Act.

I found my information at www.govtrack.us

So, are you saying that there are currently no homosexuals serving in any of the United States Armed Forces?

HF, you and I both know there are. And believe it or not some of their commands know it too. It all depends on how they handle themselves.

No.....I did not say that there were no homosexuals serving in the military. I think that we all understand that pretty clearly.
I'm saying that the 'official stance' of our nation's military, i.e. 'Don't ask, don't tell', is very obviously anti-gay. It shouldn't matter one way or the other, as we are all human beings.
Any human being who wishes to defend our country should be allowed to do so without having to do it under that type of suppressing, discriminatory restrictions. :flag:

Here is the main problem Focus. Alot of times bathrooms and shower rooms are shared. There is a reason they do not have coed rooms. How do you seperate when it comes to gay men or women. Not so sure I would want to shower with a man or a les bian for that matter. I know my hubby did not want to know that he was naked in same room with a man that was gay. From what I saw while my hubby was in was quite a few homosexuals fighting for their country. They knew who they could and could not tell. Berthings are very tight quarters and most men do not like that they have to rub up against other men to move around in there but to know they just rubbed up against someone who they know may take it a little further could be bothersome to say the least. Alot of gay men understand this and choose to avoid any complications because of it. They do not seem upset by it from what I have understood.

Focus would you want to receive a blood transfusion from blood that was procured from someone with such a high-risk life style?

Maybe you think it is quite PC but in this day and time I can't see requiring a wounded soldier to do such a thing. Especially when it could then be transferred to a spouse.

But you know....the soldiers chose that job and they know the risks involved...right?

Is there any difference between risky life styles for Gays or hitting on every call girl in town? One will do you in as quick as the other. I don't see how you can place Gays in our military below anyone else fighting and dying for your rights. I would much rather have their blood than most people in high up places in the government, they still hide in closets, get caught, apologize, and go do it again. :thumb:
Lets just put all Gays in a Burka, that way we don't have to wonder if they are or aren't. jmo

pj1 :smoke:

That's a little over the top there pj wouldn't you say!!!!

Malone

Of course it is, my point is if someone is bleeding out needing a blood transfusion who cares where it comes from. They will die without it. When we go in for surgery do we jump up and ask "is this Gay blood", or did it come from Mr. "supposed" Straight Man up the street? :scratch: I can't see the difference, blood is blood, and it can all be tainted. jmo


pj1 :smoke: