Panetta Extends Some Benefits to Same-Sex Partners

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced today he would extend certain benefits to the same-sex partners of U.S military service members.

Panetta's statement reads as follows:

“Seventeen months ago, the United States military ended the policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” We have implemented the repeal of that policy and made clear that discrimination based on sexual orientation has no place in the Department of Defense.

“At the time of repeal, I committed to reviewing benefits that had not previously been available to same-sex partners based on existing law and policy. It is a matter of fundamental equity that we provide similar benefits to all of those men and women in uniform who serve their country. The department already provides a group of benefits that are member-designated. Today, I am pleased to announce that after a thorough and deliberate review, the department will extend additional benefits to same-sex partners of service members.

“Taking care of our service members and honoring the sacrifices of all military families are two core values of this nation. Extending these benefits is an appropriate next step under current law to ensure that all service members receive equal support for what they do to protect this nation.

“One of the legal limitations to providing all benefits at this time is the Defense of Marriage Act, which is still the law of the land. There are certain benefits that can only be provided to spouses as defined by that law, which is now being reviewed by the United States Supreme Court. While it will not change during my tenure as secretary of defense, I foresee a time when the law will allow the department to grant full benefits to service members and their dependents, irrespective of sexual orientation. Until then, the department will continue to comply with current law while doing all we can to take care of all soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and their families.

“While the implementation of additional benefits will require substantial policy revisions and training, it is my expectation that these benefits will be made available as expeditiously as possible. One of the great successes at the Department of Defense has been the implementation of DADT repeal. It has been highly professional and has strengthened our military community. I am confident in the military services’ ability to effectively implement these changes over the coming months.”

Click here to read Panetta's official memorandum on this issue.

if this does not extend to normal couples and families ten it;s time to sue for discrimination.

Once those suits go in the conservative President can state this has not worked, too many lawsuits, too much trouble, too much law breaking and too much paper work, not too mention the trouble with the cross dressers and homosexuals acting up and having sex here and there plus women in combat is not , no go now.

The bogus survey which was given out to mostly military members families was just a political move backed by a few officers which were yes men to the President.

all of this is insane and only ruins the military

with another the normal guy wiht his girl should sue for discrimination.
= = = = = = = = = = =
Under ‘normal’ circumstances - Yes.

However, you are dealing with liberturds here so - in their way of thinking - you CANT sue for discrimination because you are involved in hateful activities involving ANTI GAY REMARKS, which were brought about when you sued them.

It is complicated...

Somewhat like ‘Catch 22’ (original) ‘You can get grounded if you are crazy BUT the only way to get grounded is put in a chit saying you are crazy, BUT if you were crazy you wouldn’t have been able to fill out the form, admitting you were crazy’.

Or something like that...<:

get it .

I think

push feces wiht a penis and say you are in love wiht another guy who likes the same, get benefits and pretend you are married, deny any other kidn of marriage but want marriage redefined.

is that thus far?

OK then when common sense is applied and questions are asked about this you are called stupid, bigoted, and a silly word which has no bearing called homophobia, those phobia means to live in fear of which millions are not.

OK once called the names, you are supposed to shut up and they can get on wihtt heir play family, play going out and relationships, , if they want children then they can buy or adopt and anyone opposing this will again be called a name, told to shut up.

Is that right thus far

indeed it is, lets look at what stood for morals, respect, tradition.

military, check
churches, check
boy scouts check

They went after all these and only now the boy scouts stand alone but could cave to child molesters .

One only has to look at how they were in the 20’s, they being the radical left wing.
then there was the 70’s and late 60’s but thankfully we got Reagan who they dispise.

Now we have them again.

They wrote the rules for commies 63 so it was hardly a secret what they wanted and how they went about their agenda.

sadly even talk radio won;t discuss this now because they too live in fear of being targetted from the homostapo or they have pals which have sex with feces or don;t want to upset their liberal pals.

If everyone of us spoke up, caleld talk radio, told the media no more homosexual programs, and boycott them, sue them for discrimination like these benefits for queers and not for normal couples

did you watch those links pal?

Are ADs now look to recruit weenies and show only giving aid, no shooting, no fighting, no bombing, just giving aid and crap.

I was never in the AF but I know combat units on the ground where I was and still know guys serving and all of them say the military is not what it was and the standards have dropped sadly.

Now I read that a woman a SGT is trying to sue the army because , get this, because the chaplain said heavenly father

IT’S SO STUPID, she;s an athetist and as far I;m concenred should be thrown out as thousands like her ilk should.

The military is a team, a unit it;s not about one person though what would obama and these yes sir Generals know about that.

Still many officers have stood up to this radical admin and I only hope we get a good conservative who will overturn off of this crap even if that means the economy goes to even more crap

seems they;re not as PC as here though, they don;t allow women in the royal marine commando’s,
no women in combat
no cross dressers\can;t sue or open feces pusher
no women in submarines

Course all these changes have started since this fool came into power fro the American military\\\\\yes if you check out the AD, they are really good compared to ours giving aid, they;re looking for tough men to fight, it seems here they;re looking now for the pansy man who likes to do social justice work.

why has the left hated real men, since back in the 60’s they have hated real men for some reason

The military used to make it difficult for you to get married. It is much easier to house single GIs than GIs and their family members. There were a bunch of policies we always thought was strange. One being that the lower ranking troopers did not get on base free housing and got less money in dependent allowances. This went back to the civil war days but no one really knew why.

There was also a rift between the barracks dwellers and their base housing counterparts. Same rank, but one gets a house and extra money and the other gets a roommate. I imagine this will create a lot of resentment in the ranks.

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