It's not your daddy's Marine Corps any more, boys.
Posted on 12/20/2010 11:56:32 AM PST by LonelyCon
One week after warning the distraction of repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell” could risk Marines’ lives, Gen. James Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, pledged to lead the effort to integrate openly gay Marines.
“I, and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps [Carlton Kent], will personally lead this effort, thus ensuring the respect and dignity due all Marines,” Amos said. “On this matter, we look forward to further demonstrating to the American people the discipline and loyalty that have been the hallmark of the United States Marine Corps for over 235 years."
Amos’ statement sent to reporters came Sunday evening, one day after the Senate adopted the repeal, capping a stunning, climactic day on the chamber floor.
Marine Corps leaders have shown the most resistance to repealing the 17-year old law. Former commandant Gen. James Conway said the Corps’ “pretty macho” recruits set them apart from other services.
On Dec. 3, Amos – who became the 35th commandant in October – and the chiefs of the Army and Air Force told Congress they did not want repeal now, based on the results of a DOD troop survey. The survey found Marines in combat arms units much more opposed to the repeal than other elements of the force, or the complete military.
[Snip]
Here is Amos’ full statement:
"Fidelity is the essence of the United States Marine Corps. Above all else, we are loyal to the Constitution, our Commander in Chief, Congress, our Chain of Command, and the American people. The House of Representatives and the Senate have voted to repeal Title 10, US Code 654 "Policy Concerning Homosexuality in the United States Armed Forces." As stated during my testimony before Congress in September and again during hearings before the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this month, the Marine Corps will step out smartly to faithfully implement this new policy. I, and the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, will personally lead this effort, thus ensuring the respect and dignity due all Marines. On this matter, we look forward to further demonstrating to the American people the discipline and loyalty that have been the hallmark of the United States Marine Corps for over 235 years."
Same here, more or less. And looking back on it, resigning because I didn’t like the C-in-C was one of the dumbest decisions I’ve ever made.
“On this matter, we look forward to further demonstrating to the American people the discipline and loyalty that have been the hallmark of the United States Marine Corps for over 235 years.”
It bothers me all the way to my soul to say this, but you have already failed, Amos. This perversion garbage has absolutely no place in our military services— none.
I'm fond of saying that I miss a lot of the people and none of the politics.
“Never leave your buddy’s behind.”
There’s a line between being compelled to carry out an order that a week ago you felt was morally unjust and now being an enthusiastic supporter of said immoral policy.
It’s not a fine line either. Amos could have fallen on his sword and resigned. It would have made a huge statement in support of moral values.
But clearly - he has no values. Just waivering in the wind.
Gutless.
~hoccck ptui~
>>>>> “Do you advocate the disobeyance of our Armed Forces to Constitutionally enacted law?” <<<<<<
YES!
It isn’t signed yet, it has not been implemented yet so it hasn’t been Constitutionally challenged yet (can’t put the cart before the horse)
You are awfully excited about the prospects of this becoming the Law of the Land ... is there something you want to tell us?
TT
You are at the wrong forum if you seek support for a military coup d’etat.
Just how deep does your anti-constitutionalism run here, pal?
I - can’t - take - this- They - went - to - far - this - time....
For those without a relationship with Christ, this sort of dedication and fidelity is admirable. Problematic on rare occasions such as this, but admirable nonetheless.
Fortunately, for us Christians, there is rarely if ever a case wherein a proper interpretation of the Constitution conflicts with Christian morality.
Yes, true, but these battles are becoming far too numerous. I've taken a pass on too many battles in the past when I could/should have taken a principled stance. As a human being -- and as a Christian -- I don't want to capitulate again.
As other FReepers have said, this may not end nicely.
I'd like to see you say that to his face, oh mighty keyboard warrior.
It's not your daddy's Marine Corps any more, boys.
I'd have no problem doing it.
“The people you should be howling at are the Congress critters who passed this travesty, ESPECIALLY the GOP’ers who voted for it.”
Agreed, but this entire subject is so screwed up, so wrong, it’s tough not to “howl” at everyone.
Read the article. You’re interjecting all sorts of presuppositions.
“All he’s saying is that he’ll carry out his orders to the best of his ability.”
No. He will personally lead the way for gay integrations. You think this is a strategic move and that maybe things will change in a couple of years?
Bull hockey. Amos should have resigned. That would have made a real loud and clear statement for moral clarity. Now with this statement, he is looking like a poster child for fags in the barracks.
There is a rather stark difference between conduct appropriate for private citizens, and conduct appropriate for the Commandant of the Marine Corps. If the Commandant were to whine and complain about this after the order was given, he'd be in the MacArthur situation, where Truman had public backing to sh*tcan MacArthur even though MacArthur may have been right on the merits. Marines have a reputation for being tough, but I can tell you that Marines also pride ourselves on outsmarting the other guys as well.
The problem is that in the realm of cultural norms, things go beyond the point of return and are not reversible. "The End" for the influence of Christian-based ethics on military and civilian codes of conduct.
Well, I'm not as defeatist as you. We went from the moral sewer of Bill Clinton to the essential moral goodness of the George and Laura Bush, though Dubya was too far to the left for my taste.
Maybe you're ready to cut tail and run on trying to fight this, but I'm not. The Marine Corps means too much to me. I think this decision is reversible if we fight not only hard but smart as well. Don't give them any room to claim the brass sabotaged this policy, and let declining enlistement rates and other problems be our evidence arguing for reversal when a new C-in-C gets elected in 2012.
Chesty Puller has been replaced by Buttsy Pusher.
They have all sold their souls to the devil.
Yeah. You emotional clowns need to realize that decadent people sent other decadent people to represent them in Congress, the Presidency and our Courts.
What are you going to do about it?
If as a Nation we still exist 10 years from now..... We will be even more riddled with veneral diseases than we are now.
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