President Obama used the military for social engineering PP and is the one who 'rammed things through'. Hillary did not win the election, and you should expect the pause button to be hit on some of his agenda. Take comfort that a lot of what he enacted will stick as its well underway, and I'm sure democrats will win a future election and push the rest through.

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever commanded a military unit of any type?

For right now, this makes perfect sense. There are many issues to be resolved--for example: PT tests for starters. Does a transgender man have to meet the requirements of a man or a woman? Sexual harassment. This is confusing to people. And complicated.

Sure training can be provided. Training for this costs money and time when we have many hotbeds of activity around the world. And, yes, it appears that the military is attractive to people who wish to transgender because of the healthcare costs. And, think about this, the surgery must surely require a lot of time off from work--as well as the expense. Do we really want to deploy someone who is going through transition?

This is a military readiness issue.

This is not an easy topic. It is complicated and expensive.

This was said about black people.

This was said about women.

This was said about gay people.

It is not necessary to have commanded a unit to have seen this show before.

Black people do not require highly specialized surgery or special dispensation on PT tests.

I agree that women are serving well--but, if you think that it does not come with additional medical and social issues, you are very naïve. For example, a platoon leader who deployed to Iraq and had to return home (after all the training in preparation) because she was pregnant. This is expensive and dangerous--as she was replaced by a platoon leader who had not been trained for this highly specialized and quite dangerous job. Fortunately, her replacement was a great manager--but this is an "unintended consequence" of women in the military which is costly. The same with women on ships.
There are also the issues of sexual harassment and assault. It should not exist, but lots of money is being spent on this, as well. And, yes, some of it does come down to "he said, she said."

Again, do gay people require surgery? Do they require special PT tests? How many additional funds are spent on this?

This is not a "show". This is real life, real people, and real danger. The DOD needs to spend money on preparedness--not transgender surgery and more social training than we already have. A company commander out in the desert does not need to deal with this. There is a lot more to war than fire fights.

Just stop it. These were the same damn arguments made when bigots were trying to keep other groups out. I was alive for many of those debates and remember them well. They were horseshit then and now. Except in this case, HE APPARENTLY DID NOT EVEN CONSULT WITH THE PENTAGON BEFORE MAKING HIS ANNOUNCEMENT ON TWITTER. So he doesn't even have the cover of the institutions supporting this position. Or even knowing about this position.

This is nothing but reigniting the culture war. This is Trump cravenly trying to drum up approval with his hardcore base while everyone else is bailing on him for being...himself.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

tip: the real leaders have already decided LBGT are fine)

Please supply some quotes. Do you have any idea how much time is already spent on social training in the military? Any idea? When you spend time in social training, you are taking it away from other duties. This is a problem when funds are already very tight.

Of course Chelsea Manning's demands for surgery are not helpful

You know, there is social training that takes place in a society. It is part of the deal. Maybe YOU should go through some social training.

Have you ever served?

We literally just emailed the brief around and asked everyone to read it. It took 20 mins. Somehow our mission survived.

Then, you likely did not meet the requirements of the training.

?? Wtf do you know about the requirements of the training?

Despite all the negatives, once again I thank God that Trump was elected. That he has to spend time reversing horrors of the past administration is the truly sad commentary on where this country is today.

A serving of distraction from Trump

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever commanded a military unit of any type?

For right now, this makes perfect sense. There are many issues to be resolved--for example: PT tests for starters. Does a transgender man have to meet the requirements of a man or a woman? Sexual harassment. This is confusing to people. And complicated.

Sure training can be provided. Training for this costs money and time when we have many hotbeds of activity around the world. And, yes, it appears that the military is attractive to people who wish to transgender because of the healthcare costs. And, think about this, the surgery must surely require a lot of time off from work--as well as the expense. Do we really want to deploy someone who is going through transition?

This is a military readiness issue.

This is not an easy topic. It is complicated and expensive.

I agree with this. President Obama used the military to push a social engineering platform, which I understand--as the military has always been at the forefront of equality and integration. However, the pace, training and expense were neglible to President Obama's vision. I have no doubt the day will come when transgendered have a comfortable home in the military. At this time integrating women into combat is a huge strain, and a subject I think still worthy of considered study and perhaps some rollbacks. That is enough to focus on for now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

tip: the real leaders have already decided LBGT are fine)

Please supply some quotes. Do you have any idea how much time is already spent on social training in the military? Any idea? When you spend time in social training, you are taking it away from other duties. This is a problem when funds are already very tight.

Of course Chelsea Manning's demands for surgery are not helpful

You know, there is social training that takes place in a society. It is part of the deal. Maybe YOU should go through some social training.

Have you ever served?

We literally just emailed the brief around and asked everyone to read it. It took 20 mins. Somehow our mission survived.

Then, you likely did not meet the requirements of the training.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

tip: the real leaders have already decided LBGT are fine)

Please supply some quotes. Do you have any idea how much time is already spent on social training in the military? Any idea? When you spend time in social training, you are taking it away from other duties. This is a problem when funds are already very tight.

Of course Chelsea Manning's demands for surgery are not helpful

You know, there is social training that takes place in a society. It is part of the deal. Maybe YOU should go through some social training.

Have you ever served?

We literally just emailed the brief around and asked everyone to read it. It took 20 mins. Somehow our mission survived.

It's because Browder is testifying this morning about how much of Washington - pols, lobbyists, and lawyers - are in the pocket of Russian oligarchs and not registering as FARA agents.

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/657765.page

When we were stationed in Korea, I (the spouse) had to attend all-day social training. My husband did much more.

Military service has done more to reduce racism in this country than any other form of institutional integration. Ending the draft ended that experience for millions. In my mind, it's the only regrettable thing about ending the draft.

This is far from the same.

Anonymous wrote:

tip: the real leaders have already decided LBGT are fine)

Please supply some quotes. Do you have any idea how much time is already spent on social training in the military? Any idea? When you spend time in social training, you are taking it away from other duties. This is a problem when funds are already very tight.

Of course Chelsea Manning's demands for surgery are not helpful

When we were stationed in Korea, I (the spouse) had to attend all-day social training. My husband did much more.

Military service has done more to reduce racism in this country than any other form of institutional integration. Ending the draft ended that experience for millions. In my mind, it's the only regrettable thing about ending the draft.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

tip: the real leaders have already decided LBGT are fine)

Please supply some quotes. Do you have any idea how much time is already spent on social training in the military? Any idea? When you spend time in social training, you are taking it away from other duties. This is a problem when funds are already very tight.

Of course Chelsea Manning's demands for surgery are not helpful

You know, there is social training that takes place in a society. It is part of the deal. Maybe YOU should go through some social training.

Have you ever served?

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is two-pronged...

1) to distract from everything else going on
2) to force Dems in "flyover" states to consider making this a campaign issue

Ultimately, the RAND report said this is a non-issue and the Pentagon had already stated as such.

Jonathan Swan of Axios just tweeted this:



Those making the military readiness and cost arguments are simply playing the role of useful idiots. It's not about those issues at all. It is simply the cynical exploitation of civil rights for political purposes.

This. It's a response to yesterday's attempts by the Dems to lay out a positive plan for the country.

Trump et al are hoping this move will put the Dems right back at pure identity politics. I'm hoping they've learned something, and can address this issue for the disgusting, discriminatory, homophobe-baiting move it is while also keeping their focus on the other elements of their new message.

Somehow the laser focus on banning abortion hasn't sunk the GOP, so it isn't social politics in general that's the problem.

Anonymous wrote:

tip: the real leaders have already decided LBGT are fine)

Please supply some quotes. Do you have any idea how much time is already spent on social training in the military? Any idea? When you spend time in social training, you are taking it away from other duties. This is a problem when funds are already very tight.

Of course Chelsea Manning's demands for surgery are not helpful

This entire statement from Ash Carter is worth reading, but within it is the following quote from US Army Chief of Staff Mark Milley:

Army Chief-of-Staff General Milley recently reminded us of this when he said, and I quote him, "The United States Army is open to all Americans who meet the standard, regardless of who they are. Embedded within our Constitution is that very principle, that all Americans are free and equal. And we, as an Army, are sworn to protect and defend that very principle. And we are sworn to even die for that principle. So, if we in uniform are willing to die for that principle, then we in uniform should be willing to live by that principle." That's General Milley.

Anonymous wrote:

tip: the real leaders have already decided LBGT are fine)

Please supply some quotes. Do you have any idea how much time is already spent on social training in the military? Any idea? When you spend time in social training, you are taking it away from other duties. This is a problem when funds are already very tight.

Of course Chelsea Manning's demands for surgery are not helpful

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced June 30 that transgender individuals will now be able to openly serve in the U.S. armed forces.

The new Defense Department policy also establishes a construct by which service members may transition gender while serving, sets standards for medical care and outlines responsibilities for military services and commanders to develop and implement guidance, training and specific policies in the near and long term.

“This is the right thing to do for our people and for the force,” Carter said. “We’re talking about talented Americans who are serving with distinction or who want the opportunity to serve. We can’t allow barriers unrelated to a person’s qualifications prevent us from recruiting and retaining those who can best accomplish the mission."

Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James vocalized her support for the policy change.

"Transgender Airmen serve alongside us with integrity, service and excellence,” James said. “Today's announcement is the first step in allowing transgender Airmen to serve openly, receive medical care relating to gender transition and allow transgender individuals to join the Air Force. Our strengths as a military are the quality and character of our people and those things that make us unique are the same things that make us strong. In the coming months we will work diligently to fully implement Secretary Carter's decision."