Marines are sissies.

[SpencerH]

Are you joking? I hear that comparasion all the time. The DADT-supporting fundies just don't give a ****.

I havent heard a single pundit mention the similarity.

[DinoDoc]

Those straight Marines are sissies because they're so insecure with their own masculinity and are afraid of gay people.

I wouldn't want people like Bradley Manning or yourself serving either.

[DinoDoc]

I havent heard a single pundit mention the similarity.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/susan_nielsen/index.ssf/2010/12/dont_ask_dont_tell_even_a_war.html

To provide context, the Pentagon report highlights some conventional wisdom from former top military leaders who, a few generations ago, thought fair treatment of African Americans and women might undermine national security. Here are a few nuggets:

* In 1941, a top Navy admiral supported limiting black sailors to kitchen duty, "in the interest of harmony and efficiency."

* In 1940, the commander of the Army Air Corps opposed letting African American men serve as pilots. "Having Negro officers serving over white enlisted men," he wrote, would create an "impossible social problem."

* In 1946, a top Army leader warned against the "ineptitude and limited capacity of the Negro soldier." Two years later, the Army chief of staff (who happened to be Dwight D. Eisenhower) told the Senate that blacks could never succeed in integrated units.

All of these leaders had to eat their words. By 1951, the Army conceded that racial integration actually improved the military's effectiveness.

A similar dynamic existed with women. As recently as the early 1970s, most military jobs were closed to women. Leaders cited women's physical inadequacies, resistance to structure and poor leadership skills. Today, women serve with distinction in nearly every military capacity, including bomber pilot. Problems with sexual assault and full integration remain, but many more women can now enlist and thrive without a fight.

There are lessons to be learned here, the Pentagon report authors say. In past struggles over race and gender, many leaders and ordinary folks predicted negative consequences for unit cohesion and morale that sound very similar to today's debate about sexual orientation.

These fears, the report added, "were based in large part on lack of experience and stereotype," and they were overcome with leadership.

Which brings us back to that fluffy pink boa.

[bc1871]

Homosexuals openly serving, damages the moral of any operational unit!

[Boris Godunov]

Homosexuals openly serving, damages the moral of any operational unit!

Asserting something without evidence is stupid. No surprise from you, of course, but it needs to be said.

Gay Soldiers serving openly around the world.

[Al B. Sure!]

I still say entry-level training will present some problems. Things like taking showers nuts to butts are supposed to be bothersome experiences, not enjoyable

[Boris Godunov]

I don't want to take a shower "nuts to butts" with just anyone, either. Straight men need to get past the notion that gay men would necessarily find them attractive.

[Al B. Sure!]

I don't want to take a shower "nuts to butts" with just anyone, either. Straight men need to get past the notion that gay men would necessarily find them attractive.

Oh really, Boris? How horny are 18-25 year old gay guys? Anything like straight men?

And you have them naked surrounded by a bunch of other, in shape, clean-cut 18-25 year olds?

Don't act like the gay dude won't find something to enjoy!

[Boris Godunov]

Al, there's already gay guys in that situation and they're not causing any problems. I haven't heard any stories about guys in military showers suddenly accosting their comrades or what have you. Sure, I've seen pornos that show that, but we're talking reality here.

I've been going to gyms regularly since I was in college, and not once did I ever lose control and fondle the dude next to me in the shower. I tend to feel just as uncomfortable being naked in a somewhat public place as anyone else is.

[KrazyHorse]

Albie

Is that why you're so keen on it?

[Asher]

Is that why you're so keen on it?

He's certainly brought it up enough.

And he keeps failing out so he can do it over and over..

[Al B. Sure!]

Al, there's already gay guys in that situation and they're not causing any problems. I haven't heard any stories about guys in military showers suddenly accosting their comrades or what have you. Sure, I've seen pornos that show that, but we're talking reality here.

I've been going to gyms regularly since I was in college, and not once did I ever lose control and fondle the dude next to me in the shower. I tend to feel just as uncomfortable being naked in a somewhat public place as anyone else is.

It's not about accosting. It's about the fact that they might enjoy it! Boot camp is supposed to suck, not have a five minute period everyday where you can see some booty I'm being tongue-in-cheek, of course.

[Al B. Sure!]

Oh and gyms? You mean gyms like this?



You better feel uncomfortable, Boris

[MrFun]

I wouldn't want people like Bradley Manning or yourself serving either.

I do not have any desire to serve in any military branch.

[Asher]

Oh and gyms? You mean gyms like this?



You better feel uncomfortable, Boris

The idiots who change with a towel around their waist not only look incredibly stupid, it causes everyone to believe they've a very tiny penis. Something most people would not even care to think about, but when someone's making a scene awkwardly trying to change in a towel, it draws all kinds of attention to them...