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Fit For Military Service

Timothy Kincaid

April 21st, 2008

The Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) reports on the morals waivers granted to potential soldiers. The Military believes the following is acceptable within the history of their servicemember:

  • manslaughter
  • kidnapping or abduction
  • rape, sexual assault, criminal sexual assault, incest or other sex crimes
  • indecent acts or liberties with a child
  • terrorist threats including bomb threats

But what would cause the complete and utter breakdown in military cohesiveness? What is that one thing that good southern Christian boys would be unable to overlook due to their upbringing and moral character? What is worse than a killer, rapist, child molester or terrorist?

They must be getting answers from Sally Kern.

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NG
April 21st, 2008 | LINK

The PDF of the actual felony waivers granted (linked on my blog and on the SLDN blog) are unreal. It doesn’t go into the details of each case, but the crimes aren’t minor either. I would encourage everyone to give it a read.

notreligiousbutmw
April 22nd, 2008 | LINK

Timothy Kincaid, the site you point to may not be giving all the facts surrounding convicted felons in the military. Since you mention convicted murderers in the military (if this is true), keep in mind that most murders are crimes of passion-ordinary people can commit murder if given the circumstances.

I have no problem with allowing convicted felons in the military if they have changed their ways for the better. When I lived in Arizona, I agreed with Arizona State University (ASU) allowing a convicted murderer named James Hamm to go into it’s law school in 1992 after he was released. Society says that the debt has been paid & he’s not the same person he was when he pulled the trigger. Child molesters must be put in prison for a long time, but keep in mind that sometimes innocent men have been convicted of rape accusations. Women sometimes do lie about rape.

With that said, I do agree with the military having laws against homo&lesbian sexual behaviors & yes, I do support the military prohibition against homosexuals & lesbians. If I’m not mistaken, the military can also expel people who engage in oral sex. You know my view that it’s either straight normal sex (man’s penis entering woman’s vagina) or no sex.

Ben in Oakland
April 22nd, 2008 | LINK

Just sent to the Chronicle today:

Sir:

The stupidity, absurdity, and basic, underlying bigotry of don’t-ask-don’t-tell is nowhere better illustrated than in the article entitled “More convicted felons let into Army, Marines” (4/22/08). Here we learn that moral waivers have been granted to new recruits who have been convicted of burglary, theft, assault, drugs, manslaughter, sex crimes, and robbery. The actual report (http://oversight.house.gov/documents/20080421104349.pdf) indicates additional felony convictions for child molestation, sexual assault, arson, and making terrorist bomb threats. In addition, Stars and Stripes Magazine (2/8/07) reports that gang-related activity is on the increase in the military.

Yet, who is worse than a killer, child molester, or terrorist? Who would cause the complete breakdown of unit cohesiveness morale? Why, gay people who are not willing to lie. I’m sure convicted felons, terrorists, and gang members who get ‘moral’ waivers will be of great assistance in replacing the law abiding and productive gay people kicked out every year, especially those highly-trained Arabic translators.

The politics of prejudice is the unacknowledged elephant in this foxhole, not military preparedness. Our country pays the price for this dishonesty with extended tours of duty because there are not enough soldiers, and poor military intelligence, as many Arabic translators have been dismissed because of DADT. In short: soldiers dead because of bigotry.

Who actually supports our troops and our country? Why, those patriotic gay men and women who want nothing more than to serve their country and live their lives, openly and honestly.

Ben in Oakland
April 22nd, 2008 | LINK

p.s.–don’t feed the trolls except that

…Heterosexuality is neither virtuous, normal, nor superior. It is just stultifyingly common.

Jason D
April 22nd, 2008 | LINK

“To see the Department of Defense data on felony waivers, visit oversight.house.gov and for more information on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and Congressional legislation to repeal the law, visit http://www.sldn.org.”

Following that link for oversight.house.gov a little note entitled Chairman Waxman Requests Information on Increase in Military Personnel Waivers and it’s directly from a government website.

Let’s see what we’ve got here in FYs 06-07: I’ll just do some highlights.

Navy-
Aggravated Assault, maiming – 5 waivers
Arson – 6 waivers
Burglary – 20 waivers
Grand Larceny – 15 waivers

Marines -
Aggravated Assault, Maiming – 79 waivers.
Arson – 21 Waivers
Breaking and Entering with intent to commit a felony – 27 waivers.
Burglary – 232 waivers
Grand Larceny – 64 Waivers
Grand Theft Auto – 13 Waivers
Manslaughter – 1 Waiver
Domestic Violence – 4 Waivers
Robbery(including armed) – 26 waivers
Terrorist/Bomb threats – 7 waivers

Army -
Aggravated Assault – 76 Waivers
Arson – 11 Waivers
Breaking and Entering with intent to commit a felony – 33 Waivers
Burlary – 142 Waivers
Embezzlement – 17 Waivers
Grand Larceny – 82 Waivers
Grand Theft Auto – 19 Waivers
Indecent Acts or Liberties with a child, molestation – 3 Waivers
Kidnapping or Abduction – 1 Waiver
Manslaughter – 3 Waivers
Negligent/Vehicular Homicide – 5 Waivers
Rape/secual abuse/sexual assault/criminal sexual abuse/incest/other sex crimes – 7 Waivers
Riot – 5 Waivers
Roberry(including armed) – 36 Waivers
Terrorist/bomb threats – 3 Waivers

Total Waivers -
Navy – 232 Waivers
Marines – 558 Waivers
Army – 760 Waivers

So in 2006-2007 1550 Waivers were granted for convicts, some of whom are guilty of things like violent crimes, burglary, domestic violence, child molestation, and rape. The government considers these people to be better suited to fight for our freedom than out, proud, homosexuals who have broken NO laws.

That’s just plain messed up.

pupster
April 23rd, 2008 | LINK

LOL @ Ben in Oakland.

I’m surprised that notreligiousbut… is only condoning penile-insertion-into-the-vagina sex. Usually there’s the whole baby-making argument thrown in there as well.

I’ve asked this of notreligiousbut… before on another post: Just what specifically is wrong with gay sex? You didn’t answer me before; can you do it now?

Joe Moderate
April 23rd, 2008 | LINK

Excellent post, Timothy. Thanks.

boui
March 22nd, 2009 | LINK

its better not to kill all the smart kids there the future of our country let some of the street kids do the job i think a war against terrorists needs gangsters not hight school kids anybody agrees.

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