Joint Chief Chairman Speaks

[Fitswimmer]

Ok, so let's discuss this. Do we feel he has a right to believe this way AND speak it out loud OR should he keep his personal beliefs to himself? Should he be dismissed and if so, would that be discriminating against him for his religious beliefs?

here's the link: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/03/13/gays.military/index.html

I don't want to post the whole article if it's not ok to do that. See post #2

 

[beattyfamily]

Ok, so let's discuss this. Do we feel he has a right to believe this way AND speak it out loud OR should he keep his personal beliefs to himself? Should he be dismissed and if so, would that be discriminating against him for his religious beliefs?

© 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

FYI...I was called on this in another thread. I didn't know either but you aren't suppose to post a whole article (see where I bolded) but it IS ok to post a link to the article. Copyright issues.


Regarding the story, I think he has a right to voice his opinion. Absolutely.

 

[Fitswimmer]

FYI...I was called on this in another thread. I didn't know either but you aren't suppose to post a whole article (see where I bolded) but it IS ok to post a link to the article. Copyright issues.

I think he has a right to voice his opinion. Absolutely.

Oops, I didn't know that. I thought we had to post the whole thing to give proper credit.

 

[Mr. Malaprop]

I believe he has the right to express his views just like everyone else. I don't believe it is necessary for him to resign or be fired because some people disagree with his views. If that were the case, I doubt we'd find anyone who could serve in that position.

 

[DawnCt1]

He is speaking for himself, NOT THE ARMY. He has a right to his opinion.

 

[lovemygoofy]

He is speaking for himself, NOT THE ARMY. He has a right to his opinion.

We'll let him speak for the marines

 

[BuckNaked]

I don't see why he shouldn't be able to voice his personal beliefs, though he should also be prepared to deal with whatever fallout may occur.

 

[JennyMominRI]

We'll let him speak for the marines

I'm thinking.....NO

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I don't see why he shouldn't be able to voice his personal beliefs, though he should also be prepared to deal with whatever fallout may occur.

I agree.

One question though, he stated that adultry is immoral as well and is dealt with in the military. What about pre-maritial sex? Any rules about that?

 

[User Name]

I don't see why he shouldn't be able to voice his personal beliefs, though he should also be prepared to deal with whatever fallout may occur.

BINGO!

Freedom of speech does not guarantee freedom from reprocussions from that speech. Something that many of the hollywood elite don't understand.

 

[BuckNaked]

I agree.

One question though, he stated that adultry is immoral as well and is dealt with in the military. What about pre-maritial sex? Any rules about that?

God, I hope not!!!

Seriously though, I'm not sure. I don't remember ever seeing anything about pre-marital sex specifically, however, they could prosecute it under articles of the UCMJ in certain situations. For example, if an member is having sex with an officer, (both unmarried), it could be prosecuted as fraternization. And there is kind of a "catch-all" article under the UCMJ that is pretty open and can be used for charging a member for just about anything.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Touchy stuff. His beliefs are what they are, but I think he may be doing more of a disservice to the military by expressing them to the degree that he did. He leads ALL the members of the military, and at a time like this I just don't see the purpose of putting those opinions out there and potentially discouraging a large segment of our armed forces.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

Does he have a right to voice his opinions? yes

Does it matter if it is a personal opinion or as a representative of the military? right now, no. His opinion is in line with current military policy on homosexuality.

Do I agree with him and the current policy? heck no

 

[Fitswimmer]

I'm really conflicted about this because I believe that he has a right to his personal beliefs about what is moral or immoral and he shouldn't lose a job or have to apologize for them. On the other hand, I don't know if I can say that he's just speaking for himself with the position he holds. His views about what is moral or immoral are bound to have an impact on the people who serve under him.

Where does his religious freedom stop and his duties to uphold civil law begin?

 

[BuckNaked]

He leads ALL the members of the military, and at a time like this I just don't see the purpose of putting those opinions out there and potentially discouraging a large segment of our armed forces.

First, let me make it clear that I don't believe "don't ask, don't tell" is a good policy. For a couple of reasons, I think that homosexuals should be allowed to serve openly.

Having said that, I do disagree with two parts of your statement. First, I don't believe that a large segment of our armed forces is gay. Second, if gay military members are serving according to the rules under which they entered the service, then they aren't engaging in homosexual acts, and would not fall into the "immoral" category as defined by General Pace.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I agree.

One question though, he stated that adultry is immoral as well and is dealt with in the military. What about pre-maritial sex? Any rules about that?

I know that at this installation we are at they have rules when deployed and no one will be having sex doesn't matter married or not. If they are caught having sex(yes many have been caught) or someone comes up pregnant, they are busted down at least one rank and has a pay decrease. If the person has been in trouble before being caught, then the person is dismissed from the army. Again, this is just the division we are with now and I don't know if that applies to the whole army.

 

[VEGA]

Ok, so let's discuss this. Do we feel he has a right to believe this way AND speak it out loud OR should he keep his personal beliefs to himself? Should he be dismissed and if so, would that be discriminating against him for his religious beliefs?

here's the link: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/03/13/gays.military/index.html

I don't want to post the whole article if it's not ok to do that. See post #2

No, he should not be dismissed for stating his beliefs.

I think many people feel the same way, but are too afraid to speak about it openly for fear of repercussions.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

First, let me make it clear that I don't believe "don't ask, don't tell" is a good policy. For a couple of reasons, I think that homosexuals should be allowed to serve openly.

Having said that, I do disagree with two parts of your statement. First, I don't believe that a large segment of our armed forces is gay. Second, if gay military members are serving according to the rules under which they entered the service, then they aren't engaging in homosexual acts, and would not fall into the "immoral" category as defined by General Pace.

I guess "large" is subjective, but it's enough that if they are fighting on the front lines then I think they deserve more respect than being referred to as immoral. Whether they are engaging in any "acts" at the present really wouldn't make it any less offensive in my opinion.

 

[BuckNaked]

I guess "large" is subjective, but it's enough that if they are fighting on the front lines then I think they deserve more respect than being referred to as immoral. Whether they are engaging in any "acts" at the present really wouldn't make it any less offensive in my opinion.

Perhaps I read his comments incorrectly, but I didn't see where he said that homosexuals were immoral. Perhaps to you, this is a distinction without a difference, but in the military it isn't.

 

[JennyMominRI]

No, he should not be dismissed for stating his beliefs.

I think many people feel the same way, but are too afraid to speak about it openly for fear of repercussions.

I think he has the right to speak about his personal beliefs... And I'm very pro--Gay rights...He does have to be prepared for people to disagree with him though.