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."
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No, I’m recommending that he either resign as a matter of principle or refuse to comply with an immoral law that was cynically passed by an anti-American rump Congress by filing for an injunction.
No, it doesn't. It doesn't make it "moral" either. But what it does do is make it ~lawful~. The oath is to obey lawful orders. We heard where this Marine stands with respect to the wisdom of this law. Now he must obey it anyway. He has no other choice but to resign his post and hand this sack of crap to somebody else. That's not the habit of Marines.
I think this action by Congress is abhorrent but I will not join in throwing a good Marine under the bus, only for doing his duty.
You’re asking him to turn his back on his Marines and his Corps.
We’ll see... yes. Meanwhild, FR once again forms a circular firing squad...
We’ll see... yes. Meanwhile, FR once again forms a circular firing squad...
It seems I'm the only person on Free Republic who isn't somehow surprised that a Democrat majority congress managed to pass a repeal on DADT. Practically everyone else here is acting shellshocked as though they were blindsided by something they never in a million years saw coming.
If you’re not recommending open rebellion then your comparison with George Washington is absurd. What you are recommending is that he abandon the Marine Corps to someone who has no problem with the new law. The law may be immoral but it’s not illegal and as a Marine he will carry out his lawful orders.
Grow up.........
How old are you? Twelve?
He is Old Corps and believe he will do his best.
But the handwriting is on the wall; he will be retired and replaced by someone who will actively push the Obama/democrat pro-homosexual agenda.
Straight people will be bailing out en mass as their enlistments expire over the next few years. In 5 years we won't recognize the military - it will look like the Danish Army.
Something most proponents of a European style pro-gay military miss out on is that they have essentially been useless since they went gay and politically correct. It hasn't been a real problem for them because the entire continent has relied on the USA to do the heavy lifting for 65 years.
Once the USA military is reduced to a combination social club for gays and busywork employer of minorities we won't be able to carry the burden for Europe, or for ourselves either.
The architects of a military that is redirected as a solution for social problems, is openly gay and burdened with incompetents don't realize that there are some very bad people in the world. Their militaries will roll over a politically correct military where the focus is on "social justice" rather than military competence and strength.
We are doomed.
An excellent point. It’s appalling, but hardly surprising.
It brings up another question: why do we let a lame-duck Congress do *anything* at all? A company that fires an employee doesn’t let them keep their keys and network access for a couple of months. Why do we let Congress when they’ve been fired?
I suppose, normally, they haven’t typically done very much so it’s never been such a big deal. But now it’s different. I don’t remember any previous Congress that’s been so openly vindictive toward the will of the people.
Thanks for the link. This is a list of his medals. The graph is at the link.
Naval Aviator insignia Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
1st Row Navy Distinguished Service Medal
2nd row Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit w/ 1 award star Bronze Star Meritorious Service Medal
3rd Row Joint Service Commendation Medal Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Navy Presidential Unit Citation Joint Meritorious Unit Award w/ 1 oak leaf cluster
4th Row Navy Unit Commendation Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation w/ 1 service star National Defense Service Medal w/ 2 service stars Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
5th Row Kosovo Campaign Medal w/ 2 service stars Iraq Campaign Medal w/ 1 service star Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
6th Row Armed Forces Service Medal Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 1 silver service star Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon w/ 1 service star NATO Medal for Yugoslavia w/ 1 service star
Well said.
I suppose, normally, they haven’t typically done very much so it’s never been such a big deal. But now it’s different. I don’t remember any previous Congress that’s been so openly vindictive toward the will of the people.
I agree. It was a chickens**t move to push this through in a lame-duck session. There shouldn't even be lame-duck sessions! The two month period following elections should be reserved for administrative work, handovers, setting up offices, getting staffers hired and relocated, etc.
Ah, the usual sweetheart.
Will there ever be one of these brass who has the guts to actually resign on principle when this type of crap is forced on the US millitary?
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Conway did and BO replaced him with Amos.
To the contrary. He has just publicly declared that he is turning his back on the Marines and embracing the Democrats’ agenda. I am suggesting that he reconsider.
As far as the alleged "legality" of this Congressional crime is concerned, the ancient principle of lex mala lex nulla applies.
I just don’t agree. I can still respect the man for doing his duty to obey a lawful order, even when he clearly does not agree with it. It’s just not his fault this is happening and he shouldn’t be the scape-goat like is happening here. Fault lies in the vindictive lame-duck Congress that is governing against the will of the people.
But I think the matter has been pretty thoroughly argued on this thread, and frankly I don’t have anything else to add.
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