Gen. Colin Powell now favors repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Let's not forget that gay soldiers are currently serving and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" doesn't prevent them from continuing to do so. The problem is "How a gay soldier or any soldier handles his or her private business." On the battlefield, there's no time for private business. You better be all about the business. Gay soldiers who die don't come home to show tunes. If a soldier handles their private business appropriately, there's no reason to care about their sexuality, infidelity, or conduct detrimental to success. Handle your "Private Business" and what you do never impacts the "Official Business."

Cecil strikes again. Soon to be proven wrong AGAIN.

Let's address your argument. If the purpose of DADT is to prevent gay servicemen from "outing" themselves, how does it deal with the case of Lt.Col Victor Fehrenbach, an F-15E Fighter pilot who was outed by a colleague after an unblemished 18-yr career. His discharge under DADT is still pending.

Using ourselves as an example in this case, Cecil (straight) outed MidwestGuy (gay) to military officials. Considering the seriousness of the exposure, I am presented with two choices: Deny that I am gay which keeps me in service to my country, extending my near two decades of service. Or I can admit that I am gay, and be honorably discharged.

Although you and your cohorts would rather believe that gays serving in the military harms the morale, it is more a study in male ego and self-infatuation. At the end of each day, gay men are still men who possess the same level of judiciousness and discretion as our heterosexual counterparts, if not more. We can dubunk the myth that you will witness gay sex any more than you would hetero sex on any military facility. Seen a lot of women bent over or on her knees beside a naval barrack.

While gay men are attracted to the same sex, it does not mean that we are attracted to ALL men. That's male ego talking. Please consider that you may be physically unappealing or have an unhealthy attitude. Both potential nonstarters across gender lines. We can debunk the myth that gay servicemen are any more interested in you than women in uniform.

If the ability to handle our private business is subject to whether Cecil "thinks" Midwest is gay. As we see, it is easy to hurl an allegation simply based on speculation. It becomes even easier for Cecil to make a pass at Midwest - be rejected by him - have your ego bruised, and falsely report to commanders that I initiated the whole thing.

DADT ensures that there are no safeguards in place to protect servicemen against "allegations of homosexuality," whether true or not.

I have no problem with a gay man just like I don;t have a problem with a straight man serving in the military so long as both are willing to set aside their fear, pick up that rifle, and shoot back.

Wow,he suddenly sees the light. BIG WHOOP!!! This won't rehabilitate his already damaged reputation.

Why don't x-general powell be a real-man and leave the repuglican party alltogether. If he had changed his mind during the bush years he would have made a indelible impact on our nation. To,I think some people are confusing the repill of "don't ask,don't tell" with allowing openly gay persons serving which is not the case. One still must behave in accordance with military standard.This repill is long over-due,the homophobes who initiated these homo-exclusion clauses must have really had issues.

colin will always follow the favorable political winds. he was for attacking iraq ,based on the LIES he spread about WMD. after no nuclear weapons were found and the iraq war became quagmire, he expressed regrets. now he's doing the same thing with gays in the military. colin doesn't seem to realize that he allowed WBush to use up all his once immense credibility.

During the first gulf war, I thought the man was quite attractive. Now that he looks like sh*t he wants to be friends with gays! What is he taking gays for?

My perspective is that of a Marine who has served for over 20 years. Let me first deal with General Powell's "new position"...I think it's unfortunate that he takes the politically correct position sooo often. And, I say that as a military member who has admired him since he was the National Security Advisor. He knew (and I'll bet still knows) that homosexuality is not compatible with service in the military. I think the point that most of non-military society is missing is that the military is not morally neutral. Homosexuality, adultery, disrespect to senior officers, etc. (which are all conduct unbecoming) leaves one without the moral authority to lead. Of course, such conduct may be perfectly okay in the civilian world; however, the Supreme Court has recognized the military as a special society and it's understood that our rules/standards must be different. Further, it's unfortunate that humanity has strayed so far off base that we no longer recognize absolutely rights and absolutely wrongs. Homosexuality is contrary to the laws of nature and God. To accommodate such perversity, humans have resorted to using parts of the body that are inconsistent with their design. Back to the military rationale: how will homosexuals be berthed with normal military members? We will be faced with 4 sexes: normal men, normal women, deviant men, deviant women. Please don't bring up the immutable conditions of race and sex - that analogy doesn't hold water. Different colors and two sexes are the norm in nature (as God intended); same-sex relations are expressly condemned as an abomination.

Here's another perspective. Your comments are also an abomination.

You know, Colin Powell have been showing up sporadically in certain interviews and speeches. If Colin Powell run for president in 2012 he WILL not only split the black vote, but he will take a lot of moderate democrats. I voted for Barak Obama and i'm satisfied with his term so far, but unfortunately, Colin Powell is hitting the mark on every interview that he does. Beside Bill Clinton, when Colin Powell speak, people DO listen.....Beware 2012 Presidential race....

ivydevildog: Let free yourself dear brother. no amount of prying will change this.

Ivydevildog: no amount of praying will change this. Let free yourself.

To Ostend Street: Your obvious intellectual prowess is indeed impressive; your counterargument is equally well-reasoned. When exactly (and where) did you serve in a combat zone where trust and confidence were matters of life and death? To nhlanhla: I am a "sister" and I do indeed pray for our collective souls. Thankfully, the U.S. Senate serves as a constraint on some of the perversities and absurdities (not all homosexual-related) some want to visit upon the military. The military is not a civilian jobs program; there has never been a time in our history when any and everyone could serve. Yes, someone must serve; but, not everyone can or should serve. Today, the Marine Corps will still discharge members for smoking marijuana, being overweight and homosexuality because those actions/behaviors/conditions are not compatible with service as a Marine. It's no coincidence that no Marine general has endorsed the latest fad of embracing homosexuality in the military; I believe General Peter Pace deftly summarized the Marine view a few years ago. Though, I am willing to submit that homosexuals may be a better fit for the Army, Air Force and Navy; perhaps they can afford to be more "elastic" with their minimal warrior ethos.

@ivydevildog: I recommend, wholeheartedly that you read the book "Who Stole My Cheese"? The book deals with change. Change is inevitable regardless of what I think or what you think. It is various obvious that you and I are not going to agree on this since I served in the United States Air Force, the elitist branch of the military. Yes, the G.I. Country Club. So, you are basically preaching to the choir. I admire your loyalty to the military, but you will not stop change no matter what form it takes. The military will not be the way that you and I know it. About my being in the combat zone. No, I wasn't for four years because I had a straight SMSgt that protected me and saw to it that I didn't have to go into combat. Yes, I am honorably discharged and attended college on the G.I. bill.

Correction: @ivydeldog: the name of the book is: Who Moved My Cheese, by Spencer Johnson, M.D. The book is very popular and you can probably find it on the WEB. My book club read it several years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. -- My Apology!!!!

@Ostend Street: You misunderstand my argument: it has nothing to do with change. It has everything to do with the purpose of the military and the moral authority to lead in combat. For example, you say you had a "straight SMSgt" who "protected" you from combat. You see, nearly every Marine lives to go to the combat zone - that's why we joined (I'm really not sure why anyone would join the Armed Forces for reasons other than to win the nation's wars). We (males and females) have been training for combat since I joined over 20 years ago. So, you see, my loyalty is not to the military in general, but rather, specifically to the Marine Corps. I cannot in good conscious be loyal to organizations such as the Air Force because that organization is not sufficiently militaristic. I can offer an informed opinion because I work with servicemembers from all 4 branches and the Air Force personnel are generally thought to be less military-like (in grooming regulations, uniform standards, physical fitness, perspective). Lastly, if you joined the Air Force during the global war on terror, and took affirmative steps to avoid going to a combat zone, then how can you possibly say you served honorably? Honor is more complex than that. As far as the USMC is concerned, if you have been in for the last 8 years and haven't been to Iraq or Afghanistan, then you are no longer earning the right to wear the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. Or, as our commandant says, "Every Marine into the fight." Perhaps that's why Marines view homosexuality as incompatible with service. Besides being immoral, it's an indicator of myriad deficiencies. P.S. I suggest you read the Landmark Thucydides and then other history books that deal with the Battle of Thermopylae so that you will better understand the purpose of the military and why a warrior class cannot countenance homosexuality (or other forms of weakness/immorality). Seriously, revisit General Peter Pace's comments from 2007.

Ivydevildog: How do you explain away the numerous gays who have served and are serving in the Marine Corps in and out of combat zones? These courageous gay marines who are protecting your back on a daily basis may be invisible to you, but I can assure you that these gay marines do exist. How do I know? From news articles I read about them, usually after being honorably discharged after many years of service to our country, although I already know that gays are found in all walks of life. Also, how do you explain away gays being allowed to serve openly in the Israeli army?

Ostend Street: I almost fell for your SMSgt story. It is not nice to fool naive posters on this site. What in the world got into you, a homophobe? - LMAO

@ivydevildog. You and I will probably not agree on this subject and I appreciate your civil discourse; however, I like what MLee wrote so I'll leave it at that. In or out of combat some gay person probably does have your narrow minded butt covered. Your concerns about gay folk in the military sound more like baseless fears to me, but what do I know I was in the U.S.A.F. So, while you are in the trenches fighting in combat be sure to cover your own butt. No pun intended. Seriously, be safe and peace be with you.

MLee: lol -- True story though!! Favoritisim exists in the Military like it does everywhere else. Believe me, it's a story deserving of a book. I was only 18 when I volunteered for four years. lol!!!!!!

Midwest we need you to weigh in with your usual insight and clarity on this one. Where are you???

Maybe I could never have been a devout jehovah's witness to have the patience to convert the so silly. Sister ivy devil is not only evil, she is also a stupid liar.

How can anyone not know that gays and lesbians have always served the army uptightly, uprightly and unstandingly since the begining of time. Especially the lesbians! Just because sister's small mind cannot cope with the change stemming from all the biblical brainwashing she ingested growing, does not mean what she thinks matters. And like you say Ostend, she's basically missed the winds of change. This is not the 19th American century. Even the greeks were far more civilised than her.

And when I (yeah me) resinged from the air force my commander begged for weeks that I reconsider. So let the devil be the dog it wants to be. Or is it the bitch

@Ostend Street: True, we are never going to agree. If for no other reason than you dismiss the "moral" dimension that is required in military service. Also, I would not say homosexuals are not serving; to the contrary, we revised the rules from when I entered in 1988 (in which homosexuals were expressly prohibited from serving) to one that says homosexuals can serve, as long as their homosexuality is not divulged. Like it or not, the essence of "Dont ask, don't tell" is that once the Service knows, there will be foreseeable problems (that's why Marines wait until they are discharged to divulge their homosexuality). The military is not a democracy and there are valid military reasons to discriminate against those who are too old, too young, female, homosexual, felonious, covered in tattoos, etc. But, thank you also for your civil discourse. Also, thank you for the warm wishes. I'm good to go with my mortality because I am good to go with God. @nhlanhla: Why the hostility? Has no one told you that homosexuality is morally wrong? Surely, you've heard that before. Not that you need to be told this, but you know my mind is anything but small. (Again, why so hostile?) Trust me, there is not that much change in the world; perhaps you are unfamiliar with sentiments of the U.S. Senate. Further, if you are indeed familiar with Greek warfare, then you would certainly understand what a warrior class is (perhaps the USAF does not stress warriorism to the extent the USMC does). Wow! I never heard of anyone mistaking the moniker 'devildgog' with being a bitch. It actually is the term the German soldiers gave Marines during WWII because of the ferociousness with which we fought. Also, why would you question my integrity and call me a liar? Nothing I've said in these posts is a lie. Though, if I have made a mistake, please let me know. (By the way, you cannot find where I said no homosexuals are in the military; what I said (and know) is that homosexuality is not compatible with military service). As an analogy, it's not that there are no felons in the USMC, it's just that being a felon is not compatible with service as a Marine. Oh, please don't confuse me with the 'biblical brainwashed' demographic; my spirituality and relationship to God transcends the human construct of theology and religion. That is how I know homosexuality is not and cannot be what God intended for humanity: God told me. In the end, I think it's good that both you and Ostend Street are now civilians; leading in combat is not your burden (if it ever was) for which you are morally well-suited. @MLee: I cannot explain why Israel finds it okay for homosexuals to openly serve; America's founding, culture, and sense of morality are certainly different from theirs. For example, Isreal also has compulsive military service for men and women and we do not. But, it's like you said, Marines tend to wait until they are discharged to reveal their homosexuality. So, maybe they get it after all. I know at least one Marine who resigned her commission rather than keep her homosexuality a secret; she joined in 1985 when homosexuality was expressly forbidden and had to have told a lie when asked about it. So, in resigning, she went a little further toward repairing the damage her to her integrity (and probably self esteem). In other words, she did the right thing after she originally did the wrong thing. Also, being familiar with the era in which she served as a black female officer, I know she knew in her heart homosexuality was not compatible with her serivce. I will continue to pray for all of those (including me, on occasion) who have strayed from God for whatever reason - because God certainly didn't move away.

Ostend Street: After I thought about it, your story is not hard to believe. In junior high school and in high school, the straight school thugs protected my butt. I was their baby (baby as in BABY). No one dared to mess with me. After I graduated from high school, I wanted to enlist in the Air Force. Everybody I knew were in the military. However, my parents convinced me to go to college instead.

@ivydevildog: If you think for one second I'm going to read your troll rubbish you think again. If you cannot make your point on this site in a few lines try writing a book and selling it to a wider audience. I have been cordial, now take a hike and have a nice life. Better still get a life and always remember that Gay folks will be just fine as they have been throughout history and will continue to fight for their equal rights with or without you. lol

@Ostend Street: Here are a few lines... You certainly fit the USAF stereotype. Is that why homosexuality is so widely accepted in the least of the services? I'll also be cordial: Forgive me for straining your intellect (I knew I was communicating with a former lower-level enlisted person, but tried nonetheless). Go back to your "bookclub," because someone needs to be occupied with trivia while the rest of us take care of the country.

ivydevildog or whatever, you got it all wrong. Lower level anything is never in my vocabulary. Fine someone elses psuedonym to harrass. On this blog your insults blow in the wind. Don't whine at me because you cannot have your way. Repeat: take a hike. To put it more succinctly: Go to hell!! Try expanding your own low-life mind and learn to live and let live. This is America of 2010 -- now go convince someone else with your sorry tunnel vision nonsense. Be gone troll.

Wow, I certainly did not mean to hurt your feelings. I'm sorry if being stereotypical USAF is an insult (and I should not have disparaged the entire USAF). I do apologize for accusing you of being pre-occupied with trivia and advocating for immorality within the military; though, no disinterested 3rd party would rationally categorize my posts as "whining." You should be proud of whatever enlisted rank you achieved while avoiding combat duty.... No harrassment intended, just repeating the facts you offered. I'll keep praying for you. IvyDevilDog Out- (that's military-speak for goodnight.)