Feed: Lame-duck lawmakers’ votes ignore military commanders - AggScore: 12.9

Lame-duck lawmakers’ votes ignore military commanders

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caption id alignalignleft width210 caption There39s more interest in social engineering in the military than in winning wars, according to Obama critics. Photo Newsbustersimg srchttpcdn2b.examiner.comsitesdefaultfilesstyleslargehashe16calgobamadontask0.jpg alt Theres more interest in social engineering in the military than in winning wars, according to Obama critics. Photo Newsbusters width210 height170 captionWednesday night, the U.S.House of Representatives voted to overturn current federal law prohibiting homosexuals from serving in the military, commonly referred to as Dont Ask Dont Tell.divThe key sponsor of this legislation, Rep. Patrick Murphy DPA was removed from office on Election Day, as were a large number of liberal Members who voted to overturn the current law.divdivAccording to critics, the lameduck House of Representatives ignored the pleas of seasoned commanders like Marine Corps Commandant General James Amos and many of our men and women serving on the front lines and instead chose to placate a key liberal constituency, insistent homosexual activists.divdivJust yesterday, Gen. Amos said making such a policy change during a time of war could cause distractions that would endanger the lives of combat Marines. Service men and women should not be placed at risk simply to appease the shrinking base of the Left, said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council,himself a former U.S. Marine.divBy making this change, and putting it as a priority over the actual funding of the troops, Congress is choosing to use the military, not as a tool for national defense, but as an instrument of social engineering, he said.In the past,several senior military leaders came forward to oppose repealing the ban on homosexuals serving in the military until a oneyear study can be completed. This opposition contrasts significantly with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Michael Mullens expressed personal belief that the current policy should be overturned.For example, former Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway expressed his fear that the repeal effort will distract from the militarys mission of protecting the nation. He explained, My concern would be that somehow that central purpose or focus were to become secondary to the discussion.Army Chief of Staff General George Casey agreed, saying, I do have serious concerns about the impact of a repeal of the law on a force that is fully engaged in two wars. He added, We just dont know the impacts on readiness and military effectiveness.Meanwhile, Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz argued that now is not the time to repeal. This is not the time to perturb the force that is, at the moment, stretched by demands in Iraq and Afghanistan and elsewhere without careful deliberation, he said.Its significant to see military leaders from the Army, Air Force, and Marines express serious concerns over repealing the policy, Perkins said.As a Marine veteran, I fully agree with Army Chief of Staff General George Casey that there are many serious concerns related to overturning this policy. Repealing this policy will only add sexual tension to the many challenges that our troops face every day. This is hardly a way to improve military readiness and boost morale among our troops, who are currently fighting two wars, said Perkins.