Gay man wants to die for Bush. Why?

[UdoKier]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050407/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/gay_soldier

Gay U.S. Soldier Wants to Serve Openly

 White House - AP Cabinet & State

By MALIA RULON, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - An Army sergeant who was wounded in Iraq wants a chance to remain in the military as an openly gay soldier, a desire that's bringing him into conflict with the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Sgt. Robert Stout, 23, says he has not encountered trouble from fellow soldiers and would like to stay if not for the policy that permits gay men and women to serve only if they keep their sexual orientation a secret.


As far as I'm concerned, no patriot, gay or straight would want to conduct Bush's murderous war and occupation for him, even if it is in the name of breaking down some sort of barrier. Save the gestures for when America's military belongs to America again!

[bluestateguy]

1. 23% of gay people voted for Bush in 2004

And as far as I'm concerned they deserve everything bad that happens to them as a consequence.

[UdoKier]

3. That's really sad.

Just goes to show that the new stereotype of the Sainted Gay Man as promoted by Melrose Place and Philadelphia doesn't hold true.

Gay people are just as capable of being ignorant jerks as straight people are.

[buff2]

6. I agree with you

But I think ANYONE who voted for that evil asshat should suffer.

[sui generis]

8. hey we're not immune from profound stupidity either

[Ripley]

12. Why is it that DU ignores this fact?

If it is a fact. Yet DU loves to attack Southerners and other "types" of folks for supporting the Smirkaholic.

[gratuitous]

20. It's not that I disbelieve that number, but . . .

Where did you get the figure that 23% of gay people voted for Bush in 2004?

Okay, maybe I DO disbelieve the number.

[readmoreoften]

22. After the election an unofficial poll on a lesbian website

that I visit (it has thousands of visitors a day) had the Bush vote at 8%. I suspect that more gay males vote Bush than lesbians. I also question the validity of that 23% poll. Did that include completely closeted gay and bisexual men in corporate America who want to reap the financial benefit of silence? Does it include the 'ex-gay' movement? Does it include married women who troll the internet with their husbands for 'discreet encounters'?

I also don't understand how the gay republican vote went UP this election when even the LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS withdrew their support for Bush/Cheney.

Not to say that there aren't gay republicans, there are also black republicans and jewish republicans. I do question the 23% statistic, though.

[FreedomAngel82]

25. Why would they do that?

Oy. Some people I'll never understand.

[cynatnite]

2. I see it as someone who wants to serve openly...

Whether they support the war or not, they should be able to serve just like anyone else without having to hide who they are.

[UdoKier]

7. I don't have much respect for people who want to serve at this moment.

I personally think that a huge exodus from the "volunteer" armed services would send a very clear message to the despots in charge.

Not serving is the patriotic thing to do right now, IMO.

[cynatnite]

9. Gays have been fighting to serve openly before this administration

and will continue to do so afterwards. It wouldn't matter whose administration it was.

[UdoKier]

11. And I'm sure some gays served in Hitler's army.

But that doesn't make it a wise or admirable thing to do.

[cynatnite]

14. They just want to serve their country

Whether they agree or disagree with the policies doesn't matter.

This is a fight that has been around for a hell of a long time and will keep being there as long as the military keeps up with the discrimination.

I admire anyone who is willing to serve their country and though their very existence means that some might react negatively, and even violently.

I can look at this issue without taking in account the bush administration and their policies to know that if someone wants to serve their country, they have a right to irregardless of who is in charge.

[UdoKier]

16. You cannot serve your country by occupying Iraq.

Sorry, but that is a betrayal of BOTH countries.

[cynatnite]

17. As I said twice before...I'm not looking at this administration

I'm looking at the fact a person wants to serve.

[UdoKier]

18. ... as a mercenary.

I realize a lot of people are ignorant that that's what they are doing, but it's disappointing nonetheless.

[cynatnite]

19. No matter the administration, this issue will not die...

until ALL can serve without fear of persecution. Ignorance has nothing to do with it.

[FreedomAngel82]

26. It's sad

when people have to hide who they really are because of some homophobic assholes who are bigots and can't stand diversity and their parents never taught them tolerance.

[Dave Reynolds]

4. On the other hand,

perhaps he is playing an angle to be discharged without risk of being "stop-lossed".

Of course, that is just my useless conjecture on the matter.

[Bluebear]

5. Corporal Maxwell Klinger?

:)

[Dave Reynolds]

10. Nice pumps, soldier!

:P

[UdoKier]

13. All you have to do is "come out" and you get an honorable discharge.

He wouldn't need to create a media sensation to get out. He obviously wants to make some sort of civil rights statement. I just think it's sad that he considers serving in Bush's army to be something desirable. I'd rather be in the freaking mafia.

[DIKB]

15. It's twisted

My brother is gay, and has some gay republican friends. His thoughts are "Let me get this straight ? You WANT to be a second class citizen ? You DON'T want any rights ?"

It's like being a Jewish Nazi.

If you know a gay person who voted for Shrub, get them psychological help. They have an intense case of self-loathing.

[FreedomAngel82]

27. I don't get it either

Tis a strange thing to have a gay republican. A black republican isn't quite as weird but someone voting along side someone who is a homophobic person? Who doesn't give a shit's ass about them? Now that's what I don't understand.

[kweerwolf]

21. As a gay man, I thought the whole 'gays in the military' debate ...

... was a big mistake during the Clinton administration. Provide us with equal rights first, THEN we'll see about serving in the military.

I know there are lots of gays and lesbians who have served and currently serve in the military. I have to respect the fact that serving in the military is their choice ... but it doesn't keep me from feeling they are traitors to their own people by serving a country that denies them their rights.

[demgurl]

23. Either he is really stupid or a genius!

Either he really wants to serve the chimp in his cause

OR

(and I hope this is the right statement)
He is a real genius. Think about this, you are a gay man and want to fight for your rights. The government is taking them away back home. (voting against gay marriages, etc...) The government is VERY short on help in the military and are even thinking about a draft. The military needs every man they can get.

What better way to take a stand then when you have the military's proverbial balls in a grip. I think the military is desperate enough to do away the whole gay thing and let this guy stay. It could open up a lot of doors for gay people and change the policy, in the military, permanently.

One of two things now has to happen. Either the military will say, "We don't want your kind so go home", or they will say that they accept him and gladly will keep him on. On one hand he wins because he would get to go home. On the other hand, he has won a major victory for the gays out there.

[Spider Jerusalem]

24. You know, I don't see this as having ANYTHING to do with Bush.

I see it as one soldier wanting to serve without being forced to deny an essential part of himself to do so. And I happen to agree with him. Sexuality has no bearing on military fitness.

Opposed as I am to the war in Iraq, I see this guy as simply doing his job once he was sent there, which I can respect if not necessarily admire.