John Concepcion: We buy homes, shop locally and protect our nation.
Trib has a bunch of letters on same sex marriage including this one by John Concepcion. I've quoted a sentence from it in the title for the post.
Everyone complains Bush and Republicans are dividing the country. Seems odd because opposition to same sex marriage is one of the few issues I know of where there is a consensus against it. I'd be hard pressed to name a politican who favors allowing same-sex marriages (real marriages; not civil unions).
Concepcion gets it though: ...and protect our nation. Why he linked national security with buying a house and shopping locally a bit odd. But he's right.
The great strategic-political failure of the majority of Gay Activists will be they didn't promote the patriotism of Gay Americans and instead sought to drive ROTC's off campus because of don't ask, don't tell.
The price they'll pay for that is this: I'm certain there's a Gay equivalent to Gen Powell out there and we'll never now much about him or her. A big part of the reason will be the failure of Gay Activists to acknowledge the importance of ROTC in protecting our nation.
7 comments:
If they are not prepared to accept you, why should you accept them?
Gay activists and ROTC, Iran and United States, United States and Islamic Militants.
What is national security? is it spending 47% of the worlds total military spending. (Stockhole International Peace Institute) How do we get that money? By being the richest country in the world. So Bill Gates and every other inventor and entrepeneur, they are the safe gaurding our national security.
The military has their role as well, as do the civilian scientists who have developed these weapons. Our military and our society has never been designed to be an occupying force. We can do regime change, and we can sell arms. But what the men and women, gays (although we loose about 750 a year to don't ask don't tell, which is only .05% of total military personel for context) and straights are doing now is incredibly brave. Almost like making the Chicago Blackhawks and Bears switch sports. This would be a terrible arrangement for the fans and the players. I just hope we can get the troops home soon and focus on truly defending this country.
How true!
(begin sarcasm)
If blacks had just gone along with the segregationist rules then they would have eventually been seen as equal citizens who can follow the rules.
I blame their protests and nonviolent breaking of rules for the state of race relations in the country today.
When will people realize that just shutting up and accepting discriminatory rules leads to equal rights, eventually.
(end sarcasm)
Let's see Bill, a few blog posts ago you were complaining about the "whimpering" Democrats in Congress and admiring Republicans for tackling issues like same-sex marriage. Now you're offering political advice to the Gay Community. What nerve.
Nerve: no kidding... bloggers offer advice to the whole world.
Democrats are whimpering on same sex marriage amendments too when they claim its a phoney issue meant to divert attention.
Sure it's political but it's a very real issue to people deeply important to people on both sides of it. It deserves to be put before voters.
Nerve: no kidding... bloggers offer advice to the whole world.
Democrats are whimpering on same sex marriage amendments too when they claim its a phoney issue meant to divert attention.
Sure it's political but it's an issue deeply important to people on both sides. It deserves to be put before voters.
Although some may label me as a "gay activist" I much prefer to be regarded as a "human rights advocate." What I have learned over the years is that even gay activists are far from a homogenious group. There is the radical left as well as a radical right. Most of us, like the larger population, are in the middle of the political spectrum.
My personal experience as an infantry officer during the Vietnam era, and on a related issue, as a proud member of the Boy Scouts, found these life experiences the most important in my life. I learned alot from both and they have had a great impact on my adult life.
I strongly oppose "Don't Ask; Don't Tell as well as the discriminatory policies of the Boy Scouts of America. This does not mean that I am against ROTC on high school and colleges or children and adolescents participating in the Boy Scouts. Both are great experiences for all who participate whether they are gay or straight.
Two weeks ago the Mayor of Chicago hosted a rally at Daley Plaza for the GLBT Veterans of America and the Chicago Chapter. Prominent gay and lesbian veterans from Chicago and national leaders participated.
It is a mistake to assume that we are of like mind all jump on the public pronouncements of Rick Garcia and other self-appointed media stars ostensibly speaking for the diverse GBLT communities in Chicago, Illinois or nationally.
I frequently disagree with Rick. A good example is his public statements regarding the debacle surrounding the Governor's Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes.
Disagreement is good. What's bad is assuming (the media is the big culprit) that one person reflects the views of a very diverse communities. After all, we have national organizations and local chapters of the Stonewall Democrats and Log Cabin Republicans.
Larry,
You're absolutely right. And it's great for a Gay Activist to correct me a say they're really a Human Rights activists.
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