Tag Archives: Pentagon

Pentagon Bans Confederate Flags on Military Property But That Also Includes Rainbow PRIDE Flags

Pentagon Bans Confederate Flags on Military Property But That Also Includes Rainbow PRIDE Flags

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Via Politico:

The Pentagon on Friday unveiled a new policy that effectively bans the display of the Confederate flag — without actually naming it.

The policy, a copy of which was obtained by POLITICO ahead of the official rollout, reflects an effort to find a compromise on the divisive issue, as Defense Secretary Mark Esper strives to satisfy military leaders without irking President Donald Trump, who has criticized NASCAR for banning the flag.

A draft version of the policy reportedly explicitly banned the Confederate flag on Defense Department property. Yet the official language simply lists the types of flags that are allowed to be displayed, including the American flag; the flags of the U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia; military flags and those of allies.

“The flags we fly must accord with the military imperatives of good order and discipline, treating all our people with dignity and respect, and rejecting divisive symbols,” Esper wrote in the memo. The guidance applies to the public displays of flags by service members or DoD civilians “in all DoD work places, common access areas, and public areas.

By not enumerating it, the memo also effectively bans the LGBT Rainbow Pride flag.

Rudy Coots, president of DOD (Department of Defense) Pride, objects to the new policy because it would change Pride displays and events at the Pentagon.

“We were shocked to learn DOD’s new policy on the public display of flags bans the Rainbow Pride Flag from DOD workplaces,

Banning the Rainbow Pride Flag will have the opposite effect of the policy’s intended purpose of improving morale, cohesion and readiness. For LGBT soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and civilians protecting our nation each and every day, and their allies, the flag is a joyous symbol of hope, acceptance and accomplishment that should continue to be displayed proudly.”

“It’s absolutely outrageous that Defense Secretary Mark Esper would ban the Pride flag — the very symbol of inclusion and diversity,” said Jennifer Dane, interim executive director for the Modern Military Association of America . “In what universe is it OK to turn an opportunity to ban a racist symbol like the Confederate flag into an opportunity to ban the symbol of diversity? This decision sends an alarming message to LGBT service members, their families and future recruits.”

Delusional Trump Says That NY Tax Law Doesn’t Apply to Me, I’m Not President

Trump Orders Pentagon To Hold Massive Military Parade In His Honor

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The Washington Post:

President Trump’s vision of soldiers marching and tanks rolling down the boulevards of Washington is moving closer to reality in the Pentagon and White House, where officials say they have begun to plan a grand military parade later this year showcasing the might of America’s armed forces.

Trump has long mused publicly and privately about wanting such a parade, but a Jan. 18 meeting between Trump and top generals in the Pentagon’s tank — a room reserved for top secret discussions — marked a tipping point, according to two officials briefed on the planning.

Surrounded by the military’s highest ranking officials, including Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joe Dunford, Trump’s seemingly abstract desire for a parade was suddenly heard as a presidential directive, the officials said.

“The marching orders were: I want a parade like the one in France,” said a military official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the planning discussions are supposed to remain confidential. “This is being worked at the highest levels of the military.”

 

It has been done before after all. Nuremberg, Germany 1937 for example.

 

 

The Pentagon Recognizes LGBT Pride Month While Banning Trans Service Members

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DoD Prtide

The Department of Defense (DoD) has supported observances of LGBT Pride Month through the development of local programs of recognition and many diverse activities but it has been only recently that the DoD has recognized Pride Month with a special observance at the Pentagon  (2012 – 2013.)

The Department of Defense issued similar flyers in 2012 and 2013 and all three include the word “transgender” despite the continuing ban on transgender service.

While the observance of LGBT Pride Month by the Department of Defense is yet another example of the tremendous amount of progress the observance is bittersweet at best because of the continuing ban on transgender service members.

After the long drawn out battle of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” out attorney and former Marine Capt. Tom Carpenter repeatedly tried to draw attention to the fact that the repeal did not include trans servicemembers. In one post for LGBT POV in 2012 on why LGB people should care about trans bias in the military, he wrote:

There was disappointment that some in the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) community would so casually turn their backs on people who are on the same side as us on every major issue: the end of DADT, marriage equality, the end of DOMA, passage of the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA), and every form of legal protection for LGB people. The implication that trans people are ballast that should be chucked overboard at the earliest opportunity disturbed me greatly.

Now after 4 years U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has hinted at an upcoming reviews of the military’s current policy, which bans trans citizens from serving.

“The issue of transgender [service members] is a bit more complicated, because it has a — a medical component to it,” Hagel told ABC’s Martha Raddatz Sunday. “These issues require medical attention. Austere locations where we put our men and women in — in many cases, don’t always provide that kind of opportunity. I do think it continually should be reviewed. I’m open to that, by the way. I’m open to those assessments, because, again, I go back to the bottom line. Every qualified American who wants to serve our country should have an opportunity if they fit the qualifications and can do it.”

Until we can all serve together, be treated equally and be recognized as full citizens of the United States there is no PRIDE at the Department of Defense.

DOD Pride

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin Orders National Guard To STOP Awarding Same Sex Couples Benefits

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Mary Fallin

Republican Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin (seen above with Rick Santorum) has ordered the Oklahoma National Guard to stop processing military benefits for same-sex couples joining Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana in refusing to obey orders from the Pentagon  to grant same sex married soldiers spousal benefits.

AP reports:

Fallin spokesman Alex Weintz told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the governor was following the wish of Oklahoma voters, who approved a constitutional amendment that prohibits giving benefits of marriage to gay couples.

Because of that prohibition, Weintz said the governor’s legal staff advised the Oklahoma National Guard not to process requests for benefits from gay couples

Another state militia in open rebellion against lawful orders from the military.  Some would call this treason.  Also while the GOP and Tea Party calls this a matter of “States Rights” they are wrong.  Bush federalized the National Guard after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and federal control has not been relinquished.

 

TEXAS: GOP House Bill On Property Tax Relief Excludes LGBT Couples

Texas Says FU To Gay Soldiers, Withholds Gay Spousal Benefits Despite Pentagon Orders

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Texas is a messThe “not-so-great” state of Texas and it’s military forces are defying Pentagon orders and refusing to offer partner benefits which include health, pension, and housing, to troops with same-sex spouses, which was supposed to begin today because Texas’ law bans same-sex marriage.

Washington Blade:

Alicia Butler, an Austin, Texas, attorney, said she was rejected when she tried to register with the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS, the military’s health benefits system, when she applied on Tuesday at Camp Mabry, where her spouse, Judith Chedville, a nurse and Iraq war veteran, is stationed as a member of the National Guard.

“We were told that Texas would not register us into the system and would not issue an ID card for me,” Butler said. “We were told that if she was active duty they would do that for me, but not for a National Guard member because she’s part of the Texas National Guard.

Gay, lesbian and bisexual soldiers and their spouses are being told they must seek out a federal facility to apply.

 

Pentagon to Issue SOME Same-Sex DP Benefits on September 1st. But NOT The Important Ones

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smoke and mirrors

The Washington Times reports that The Pentagon will begin issuing SOME same-sex domestic partner benefits on September  1st.

The  dependents’ ID cards will entitle partners to scores of benefits, as outlined by  then-Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta in a February policy decision.

The ID card Web notice refers to same-sex  domestic partners as “SSDPs.”

The benefits include education, survivor,  commissary, travel, counseling and transportation, but not  what some consider the armed forces’ premium perks — health care and housing allowances.

Mr. Panetta said the federal Defense of Marriage  Act restricts those benefits to heterosexual couples, though the Pentagon has  not ruled out offering them to homosexual couples at some point.

Still, the new benefits and special ID cards  represent a victory for the gay rights movement in the wake of President Obama’s  lifting the long-time ban on open homosexuals in the ranks.

Victory my ass.  This is SMOKE and MIRRORS to make it seem like the Government is actually doing something for the LGBT community when in fact its all show much like their much touted same sex partner benefits for Federal workers which in actuality came down to three minor benefits that no one really needs.

Don’t fall for the hype and don’t be satisfied or grateful for crumbs.

 

 

Liberty Counsel’s Matt Barber: Gay Hating Military Members, We Got Your Back!

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Fat Matt Barber Liberty Counsel

“To any member of the armed services who is harassed, demeaned, reprimanded or charged by this Obama Pentagon with obeying Jesus – with endeavoring to ‘recruit or convert’ others to His exclusive saving grace – we at Liberty Counsel are delighted to say, ‘We’ve Got your back!’ Pro bono. Free of charge. How are we able to do this? Through the generous financial and prayer support of more than 1.2 million Liberty Counsel donors and supporters. So please, get this information to every member of the armed forces you know. If you (or they) are being persecuted in any way, at any time for sharing the love of Christ, let us know.” –  Currently under RICO investigation  Liberty Counsel leader  Matt Barber,

1.2 million? In your dreams fat boy.

Maybe the Liberty Counsel loons aren’t aware of the fact that the law against religious recruitment and converting on military bases was passed during Dubya’s administration.

Matt Barber. Failed boxer, failed insurance agent, and  current religious extremist ambulance chasing grifter.

Only in America folks.

Gay Hating Military Solders, We Got Your Back!

 

‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Compromise Happening In DC. – Would Repeal Statute, Delay Implementation, Require Certification from POTUS, Military – In Other Words Its SH*T!

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This morning at the White House and on Capitol Hill that could help clear the way for the“don’t ask, don’t tell” repeal to be attached to the Department of Defense authorization bill later this week.  Just attached mind you, because if its passed it won’t do jack shit for a year and then would require certification by three people who are falling all over themselves to kill repeal, and authority for implementation back to the Pentagon — which has been the center of resistance all along.

Okay here’s what happened and some details via Kerry Eleveld

A White House aide who spoke on the condition of anonymity confirmed the White House meeting. “Our understanding is that Congress is determined to act this week and we are learning more about their proposal now,” said the aide.  A Democratic leadership aide called the development “promising” but said discussions are ongoing. The House Democratic leadership is expected to meet about the proposal later this afternoon.  According to one person familiar with the White House meeting, the proposal that is being considered would repeal the current statute this year, but implementation of repeal would not take place until after completion of the Pentagon’s working group study in December. Further, repeal would require certification from President Barack Obama, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and Joint Chiefs Chair Admiral Mike Mullen that the new law will not have a negative impact on readiness, recruitment, retention and other key factors that affect the military.

The language would not include a nondiscrimination policy but rather will return authority for open service by gays and lesbians back to the Pentagon.

A Statement of Administration Policy is expected to be released this week, potentially as early as tomorrow

One repeal advocate welcomed news of the agreement.

“Every single one of the groups around that table agreed that this is an amazing step forward,” said the person, who was close to the discussions at the White House and spoke on the condition of anonymity

“The language would not include a nondiscrimination policy but rather will return authority for open service by gays and lesbians back to the Pentagon. “?

This sentence alone means we as a community should not support this compromise, because in reality it turns all authority over to the Pentagon and military brass to continue an internal DADT policy that outsiders from within the legislative/executive branches can wash their hands. There’s nothing in this piece of legislation to prevent it, so while it may overturn the law that’s on the Federal books, it does nothing to allow LGBT service members to serve openly, with dignity, with recognition of family and friends, or any equal benefits to be bestowed upon them. I see nothing but a sheep in wolves clothing, and this is politics at its worst.

And as for “”Every single one of the groups around that table agreed that this is an amazing step forward.”  Who the HRC?  The NGLTF?  Please! HRC/NGLTF would say that a big steaming pile of crap was an “amazing step forward” Get a clue the HRC/NGLTF DOES NOT represent us anymore.

I’ll believe this is an amazing step forward when Dan Choi and the hundreds of thousands who have been discharged un DADT say it’s an amazing step forward.   As for Joe Solmonese and Rea Carey, on the other hand, can go fuck themselves in thier designer suits and Birkenstocks.

The Pentagon Is Spending 4.4 Million To Outsource Questions Of Soldiers On DADT

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Ah, your Goverment tax dollars at work.
Since the Pentagon wouldn’t grant immunit (!) to gay soldiers who are currently serving who want to speak up about Don’t Ask Don’t Tell during their silly 10-month review, (You know how like they ASKED every soildiers opinions on if African American or women could serve before they decied) so they’re spending MILLIONS of taxpayer dollars to hire an outside firm to do the quizzing.

Yes, that’s the world we live in under the byzantine rules of DADT.

The Pentagon is hiring Westat, “a Maryland research firm with experience surveying military communities,” to quiz some 350,000 military servicemembers and their families, which includes The Gays. It’s a comprehensive survey, where they’ll “gather the views of troops of all ranks, including officer and enlisted personnel, young and old, married and unmarried, and those serving in different types of units, from combat to medicine.” And it will cost taxpayers $4.4 million.

Just take a moment to think about this: Because federal legislators created a law forbidding gay soldiers from being openly about their sexuality, and these legislators are now considering killing the law, the taxpayer-funded Pentagon must now pay someone else to see whether gay soldiers want the law repealed. It’s not just a logic fail; it’s a policy fail.

The ultimate policy fail, of course, comes from the notion that servicemembers (and their families!!) should even have a say in the matter. Even if the survey results come back showing overwhelming military support for repealing DADT, the decision to repeal should be made because it’s the right thing to do ethically, and the right thing to do for national security.

Only in America kids.

Defense Department to Repeal DADT In Next Year’s Budget Bill?

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Sam Stein posted over at Huffington Post that members of Congress are being “whipped” to make sure enough of them will vote for a Don’t Ask Don’t Tell repeal as part of the 2010 Defense Reauthorization spending bill.  But next year’s defense bill is a long way off, and that’s a whole lot of room for unpredictable barriers to arise between now and then especially since the DADT repeal is A.) A no-brainer and B.) There being so much support for it to start with NOW, but next year might be a problem.  The defense bill won’t pass until after the midterm elections.   If the Democrats lose the majority of Congress which IS a possibility that will make it a much rougher ride.  Also something needs to be done about ENDA, which at this time is delayed….again.   Without ENDA, the momentum won’t be there – the and if more ReTHUGlicans gain office the DADT repeal will be stripped from the defense bill.

I really do hate to be bitter and cynical homo.  But, after Obama’s D+ Grade dealing with LGBT issues so far I have to think that maybe this is a purposeful leak to liberal media outlets to dangle a carrot in front of LGBT communtiy for support for next years midterms for the Democrats. 

Hey Dems!  If you REALLY want to count on my vote.  Repeal DADT and get EDNA passed BEFORE the midterm elections next year. 

Because if you don’t.  It’s a crapshoot.