"Joy and pleasure are as real as pain and sorrow and one must learn what they have to teach. . . ." -- Sean Russell, from Gatherer of Clouds

"If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right." -- Helyn D. Goldenberg

"I love you and I'm not afraid." -- Evanescence, "My Last Breath"

“If I hear ‘not allowed’ much oftener,” said Sam, “I’m going to get angry.” -- J.R.R. Tolkien, from Lord of the Rings

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

I'm Not Impressed

I'm sure this will be greeted with toasts and confetti, but as far as I can see, Petraeus is not saying anything outside the Pentagon line.

Petraeus told a Senate panel Tuesday that he wants to see the results of an internal study ordered by Defense Secretary Robert Gates before any changes are made. He said he wants to know if allowing gays to serve openly might hurt recruiting and retention, or the military's ability to fight.

Y'know, we, meaning our own military, have been studying this question for about fifty years now, and we have the experience of 28 other nations that allow gays to serve openly in their armed forces. What the hell do we need with another study?

And why isn't anyone in Congress asking that question?

It's a delaying tactic, because the upper brass hates change. (Although I do note that the Army has dropped bayonet drills from basic training. When do you suppose was the last time anyone in the Army actually used a bayonet?)

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