41% of NonChristian AF Cadets Report Unwanted Proselytizing

Speaking of the First Amendment (aren't we always?):

An Air Force Academy survey found that 41 percent of cadets who who identified themselves as non-Christian said they were subjected to unwanted proselytizing at least once or twice last year.

Overall, 19 percent of all cadets said they were subjected to unwanted proselytizing.

That number should be zero, but things are looking up.

[Lt. Gen. Michael] Gould, who was not at the academy at the time of the 2004 survey, has made it a priority to improve religious tolerance, launching new programs and frequently reminding cadets, faculty and staff of the need to respect others' beliefs, or lack of beliefs.

In August, when he described the latest survey in general terms, Gould said the results showed fewer cadets felt pressured to participate in religious groups than in previous surveys.

The documents obtained by the AP appear to support that contention. They show that the percentage of Christians and non-Christians, including atheists, who felt pressure to get involved in religious activities declined, compared with a survey in 2007.

Huh. That's funny. The evangelical Christian Commander in Chief leaves office and religious pressure within the military eases. Imagine that.

Put Down the Stupid, Ma'am

This is weapons grade stupid right here. So fucking stupid I'm losing brain function thinking about it. So fucking stupid I would think the writer would have been rendered catatonic, except that she's posted blog entries since, so the only conclusion I can draw is that homophobes are so saturated in stupid they have become immune to it.

If you think that sounds unnecessarily mean, keep reading. Just don't complain when you find yourself unable to do basic math or find the US on a map afterwards. I warned you.

(The following is supposed to be the result of DADT being repealed. Keep that in mind. The following is the result of a ruling that allows gays in the military to openly discuss their partners, just like their heterosexual compatriots have always been allowed to.)

Scene: Military base, mess hall. Several male soldiers are seated around a table.

Soldier A: So, yeah, then I got a call from my...

(He pauses, and looks down at the table.)

Soldier A: Sorry.

Soldier B: No problem. You were saying?

Soldier A: Yeah, I was on the phone and she said...wait, can I say that?

Soldier C: Um, I think so.

Soldier B: No, actually. You can tell us what you heard--no pronouns.

Soldier A: Right. Well, anyway...well...oh, forget it.

(There is silence. A female soldier enters and joins them.)

Soldier D: Hi, guys. Why so quiet?

Soldier A: (glumly) Oh...you know.

Soldier D: Let me guess. The Military Personnel Conversational Restriction Act?

Soldier B: Mmm-hmm.

Soldier C: Better know as the Just Shut Up Already Act.

If you are still able, please consider this for a moment. This fucking idiot truly believes that a gay soldier being allowed to say, "I talked to my boyfriend last night" without being kicked out of the military will lead to all soldiers being unable to talk about anything.

I'd ask how fucking stupid any one person can be, but there it is. That fucking stupid.

And lo, Jesus gave unto them an AK-47 . . .

The Light of the World . . . will be seen through a hole in your head.

The US Military is providing to its troops guns inscribed with bible verses. Just the fact that there are soldiers, US soldiers, wandering around with guns inscribed with bible verses is disturbing, however what's truly weird is the verse shown on the rifle above: John 8:12.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life

This is the end of the incident in which Jesus saves an adulterous woman from being stoned to death under the law.

I can't decide if this is some sort of high irony, or just the stupidest thing I've ever seen. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone . . . and shoot that motherfucker between the eyes!"

The Obama Problem

Wingnut porn
obama, assassination, death, threats, military, coup, voter, democracy,

What do citizens of a democracy do when they don't like their elected officials?

a) vote
b) vote
c) vote
d) all of the above

Seems obvious, right? Not over at Newsmax, where John L. Perry, who's apparently never heard of voting, wrote this (it was subsequently taken down):

There is a remote, although gaining, possibility America’s military will intervene as a last resort to resolve the “Obama problem.” Don’t dismiss it as unrealistic. [...]

Military intervention is what Obama’s exponentially accelerating agenda for “fundamental change” toward a Marxist state is inviting upon America. A coup is not an ideal option, but Obama’s radical ideal is not acceptable or reversible.

Unthinkable? Then think up an alternative, non-violent solution to the Obama problem. Just don’t shrug and say, “We can always worry about that later.”

That's right, Mr. Perry went with e) military coup, the hallmark of every democracy.

Mr. Perry, you seditious spleenweasel, I don't have to think up an alternative, nonviolent solution to your nonexistent problem. We already have one: voting. Why couldn't you think of it?

This, combined with the uptick in death threats against our President, combined with disturbing polls to determine under which circumstance we should assassinate our President, makes me a little . . . concerned.

How is Canada this time of year?

Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Care

gays, military, dadt, don't ask, don't tell, obama
Apparently, the DOD finally figured out exactly who is in charge of this country, and it's not them.

On Tuesday, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said the military has no plans to repeal the policy and that the White House had not asked for the 1993 policy to be scrapped.

Two days later, Gibbs said Morrell had backed off that position; Morrell released a statement hours later doing just that.

"President Obama has been clear in his direction to Secretary (Robert) Gates and (Joint Chiefs) Chairman (Mike) Mullen that he is committed to repeal the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy. He has also been clear that he is committed to do it in a way that is least disruptive to our troops, especially given that they have been simultaneously waging two wars for six years now," Morrell said.

"Although this will require changes to the law, the secretary and chairman are working to address the challenges associated with implementation of the president's commitment," he said.

Over the years, many talented, dedicated soldiers were kicked out of the military under Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT).

Of the discharges for the fiscal year that ended September 30, 410 were male and 209 were female, according to the figures obtained by the Globe from Pentagon personnel officials. That compares with a total of 627 discharges in fiscal year 2007; 612 in 2006; 726 in 2005; and 653 in 2004.

. . .

More than 13,000 troops have been discharged for being gay since 1993.

In the middle of two wars we can't find enough troops for, and given that it costs tens of thousands of dollars to train each one, it is insane that we are still kicking out soldiers that have done nothing wrong, other than be what they are.

Also, it's incredibly disturbing the kind of company DADT puts us in: Countries that do not allow openly gay soldiers include the US, Iran, Iraq and Libya.

Any time you end up on a list with freakin' Iran, you need to rethink the direction you're going in.