Posted on 03/15/2007 8:13:57 AM PDT by shortstop
You've got to admire Peter Pace.
He's the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A tall ramrod of a man, almost 40 years a Marine, four stars and not an ounce of fat. The first Marine to become America's top military man, he has the energy and looks of a man 20 years his junior.
But he's been around.
In 1964, when the stuff was just starting to hit the fan over in Southeast Asia, he sought an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. Four years later, in 1967, he was a lieutenant of Marines, a newly minted ground pounder coming on the scene at the peak of the Vietnam War.
That's how he got that green and white ribbon on his chest.
And over the generation since, this Marine has been on duty.
But none of that matters. Not in our “gotcha” society. All that matters is what he said on Monday. His career and reputation hang literally on a half a dozen words spoken to a reporter for the “Chicago Tribune.”
He said homosexuality was immoral.
He equated it with adultery.
He wasn't angry, he wasn't hateful, he wasn't on a tirade. He was answering a question. In a military which has touted its values for 20 years, he simply said it wasn't good business to endorse something that is immoral.
Now they want to string him up.
Gay groups and members of Congress have demanded that he apologize. Some have whispered that he should resign or be fired.
All for a word.
“Immoral.”
But it's not just gay activists and Democrats calling for his hide. The secretary of defense – the appointee and representative of an evangelical Christian president – chastised him on the Pentagon's own TV show, saying, “Personal opinion really doesn't have a place here.”
That's a funny thing to say in America.
But not as funny as what the top Republican military expert in the Senate said. John Warner was secretary of the Navy once, and chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He's from Virginia – in the Bible belt – and is the picture of a Republican senator.
“I respectfully but strongly disagree with the chairman's view that homosexuality is immoral,” he said.
That's not what you'd expect out of a Republican senator from the South. Further, you wouldn't think that there would be much pressure to come out and declare your moral approval of homosexuality.
Though the senator's statement kind of begs a question.
If so many politicians feel compelled to loudly and publicly denounce the general – and claim that homosexuality is moral – why aren't there any politicians who feel compelled to loudly and publicly support the general?
Are there no members of the Senate who believe that homosexuality is immoral? Does that view – though arguably held by a majority of people in this country – not have any defenders in the Congress?
Apparently not.
Because none of them have been heard from.
Or is it that they share the general's view, but not his courage? Have other believers in the immorality of homosexuality decided it's better to be silent and safe than honest and hounded?
For example, what about Orrin Hatch? His press people are quick to remind reporters that he used to be a Mormon bishop, so he presumably believes that homosexual practice is immoral, yet he's not been heard from. Ditto for his Utah Republican colleague – Bob Bennett. And what of Sam Brownback, the Midwestern senator hoping to ride moral conservatism all the way to the White House. He is missing in action on this issue.
In fact, while some of the Democratic presidential hopefuls have denounced the general, none of the Republican hopefuls have defended him. Not even Mitt Romney, who has defined himself as the morally conservative candidate.
Further, aren't there a bunch of senators and congressmen all across the South and Midwest who hold office because of the votes of moral and religious conservatives? Wouldn't you think that just one of them would have said out loud that, yes, in fact homosexuality is immoral?
And what about the new Muslim member of the House of Representatives. While mainstream Christians have fudged the sin out of homosexual practice, Muslims have not. Homosexuality, in the teachings of Islam, is patently immoral. Why has that Muslim congressman not said anything?
Because he's just as cowardly as the Christians.
Peter Pace, on the other hand, believes in his faith and in his values. And he's not afraid to say so. He's not the type to put his morals on ice in order not to offend the harsh gods of political correctness. He's not obnoxious about what he believes, insisting that you believe the same way. But he's not going to hide his beliefs just to kiss your backside.
Which is the way Jesus wants it.
If we are to take Jesus at his word, he said his followers should be a light of the world. He said that men shouldn't light a candle and put it under a bushel. He said that believers should be a city set on a hill.
That doesn't mean that Christians themselves are the light, but rather the gospel and faith they have embraced is the light. And that light is to show through them. They are to stand up for it.
And that light is fairly clear.
For some 2,000 years of Christian history, homosexuality was immoral. In much of the American church, that light has gone out. But in Peter Pace's heart, it still shines.
He's not afraid to say what many believe.
He's not afraid to speak the truth.
Unfortunately, in official Washington, he's the only one.
I got to agree with Pace on this one.
Meadow Muffin
Drinking to excess is immoral, too. So is divorce. And casual sex out of wedlock. Or visiting prostitutes. Or even masturbation, according to some.
These are *soldiers* we're talking about. Do you know what your typical soldier does for R&R when they have a weekend pass?
Let's just say it's not often moral, wholesome family entertainment!
The homos are screwing this country up more and more each day. Disgusting.
It is disgusting. They are screwing up this country IMO without a doubt.
This is just like the man on Maryland's Metro board whome supposedly conservative Ehrlich fired because he, a Catholic, stated in an off-the-record interview, that he believed homosexuality was immoral.
Basically, people want to silence that kind of talk, because it prickles the homosexual conscience. I think most homosexuals understand there's something unnatural and dangerous about their yearnings; but if you surround yourself with like thinkers and try to silence those with opposing views, your conscience is kept at bay (for a while, at least). But it usually comes down to a tormented soul in the end. It's tragic.
The homosexual activists know that what they do is wrong, too. That's why they are trying to get society to approve of it and make any criticism of it impossible . . . to assuage their guilty consciences.
I think Pace is right personally, and secondly, I believe the military is not the place for social experiments.
Serving in the military is not a right, you have to meet the requirements THEY set, and when you ask people to risk their lives to defend us, they ought to be able to decide who they want in their ranks.
And none of what you've mentioned is condoned in our military, and some of what you've mentioned will get you brought up on charges.
Pace is right.
Homosexuality is against the morals of the huge majority of Americans, therefore, it is a fair statement of American belief.
That isn't the issue, though. God hates homosexuality: Because it is unnatural; because it is destructive; because it is disease-laden; because it kills the unfortunates who are encouraged in the practice of it by those who hate them.
It's people like the general who care.
He's right. It is immoral.
You're right, in the long run it won't work. But the activists will do a lot of damage in the meantime.
VERY well said!
I keep wondering how long it will take for America to get a bellyfull of queers . Queers in the military Fruits in the schools teaching our kids. Fruits adopting babies and and politicians marching with pedophiles. Its downright friggin sick and its time someone told them so.
They are a voting bloc and voting bloc's get attention.
America's straights need to turn into a boting bloc to.
That doesn't mean it's right! I did lots of stuff in the Navy that is immoral and that I now ashamed of doing. But just because I did it - as has and will countless others - does not make it riht.
Did anyone hear O'Reilly on this one? I only caught a viewer email to which BOR seemed to say Pace was wrong. I have a reason for asking. BOR muttered something about "kool aid right wingers" last night. I emailed him and asked if he'd like to share names on that list of his.
This General opposes and battles those that would behead homosexuals. Should they really be giving a damn what his opinions are in time of war?
I already know the answer to that though sadly.
I keep wondering how long it will take for America to get a bellyfull of queers .
We're very close to the tipping point.
"...America's straights need to turn into a boting bloc to...."
Amen to that. BTW, I never use the bastardized word "gay" when discussing these weirdos. They are either queers or homos. Nothing more, nothing less. I don't sugarcoat these immoral currs anymore.
none of the soldiers and sailors who are drinking, whoring, and what not on a weekend pass are claiming that what they do is moral and indeed praiseworthy, or that nobody should criticize them for doing it. They know what they're doing is wrong.
____________
With all due respect, you need to be a fly on the wall sometime when young men get together to discuss their weekend exploits. They tend to think that what they're doing is, as Tony the Tiger puts it, GRRREAAAT!
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