(AP) Nine Army linguists, including six trained to speak Arabic, have been dismissed from the military because they are gay.
The soldiers' dismissals come at a time when the military is facing a critical shortage of translators and interpreters for the war on terrorism.
CBS
This was a big story at the beginning of the Iraq invasion and occupation.
27 December 2005 -- Poland's cabinet today voted to ask President Lech Kaczynski to extend the mandate of Polish troops in Iraq for another
year, until the end of 2006.
Radio Free Europe
The US does not allow gays in the military, but it accepts help from countries who do, like Poland.
Does the help from the countries that allow gay soldiers, prove that it works?
Or is the US so desperate for help, that it will accept help from countries whose policies they find reprehensible?
Is this a case of double-standards, which are acceptable when it suits our needs? Terrorists are wrong to torture, but it's ok if we do it. Gays in
the military is wrong, but if it's ok if it's from another country, who helps us.
There is that famous picture of Rumsfeld shaking hands with Saddam. He was our friend, now he is our enemy. Just how fluid is our morality as a
nation?
My question is, how can we condemn gays in the military, and then accept countries who allow it to help us.
Is it ok only for other countries, but not for us? Is it only ok if they help us 'fight terrorism'?
[edit on 5-1-2006 by curme]