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Pace Speaks Out at U of Chicago

At a speaking event last Friday at the University of Chicago, Marine General Peter Pace, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was asked about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Here's the snippet from the Chicago Maroon, the University of Chicago student newspaper:

“It is important for a nation to give all who want to serve the opportunity to serve.” The policy prohibits anyone who has engaged in homosexual activity from serving in the armed forces and also prohibits homosexuals or bisexuals from disclosing their sexual orientation. “Our armed forces are well served by diversity in many respects,” Pace said.

Now before you start thinking that Gen. Pace has reformed his ways and is now calling for repeal of the gay ban, keep reading:

“But we also have the law of our land. It allows all citizens who want to serve to have the opportunity. But as with many parts of military life, there are issues of conformity. I do support the law of the land because it does allow those who want to serve the opportunity to do so,” he said to applause from conference delegates.

On the one hand, he seems to say that the contributions of lesbian, gay and bisexual troops are important, but, on the other hand, he seems to condone discrimination simply because it's the law of the land... Underneath that carefully crafted language of celebrating diversity is the pervasive bigotry that provides support for discriminatory laws like "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." And luckily, it's not up to Gen. Pace to repeal the law; it's up to Congress. If, unlike Gen. Pace, you truly believe that our "armed forces are well served by diversity in many respects," then call on your Member of Congress to repeal the ban now! - Rebecca Sawyer

Labels: Congress, in the news, Pace

05-22-07