What dishonors the military uniform more?

Question

The Pentagon's top general inciting hate of a group of people, and dishonoring approx. 65,000 gay and lesbian troops who honorably serve our country.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070314/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/military_gays

Or....

A woman who bares her God-given assets in a magazine and is subsequently dismissed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Manhart

Or...

Are they both exercising their right to free speech and neither should be reprimanded?

Your thoughts?

Robot...the actions of these gay people define them...so calling their actions immoral, you are calling them the same thing. I don't define them by their actions, people like you do.

Answer 1

While General Pace's comments maybe unacceptable and should not have been expressed publicly while in uniform, the Senior Airman's actions were in violation of Article 134 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice.

Answer 2

I've heard both these stories on the news. I'd have to go with the woman.

We want our military on the straight and narrow and nudity just ain't gonna cut it. It has nothing to do with freedom of speech--its the image she portrayed.

Studies have shown the the average person in the military really aren't against gays in it for the most part. It is recognized they fight just as well. Homosexuality is not an exercise in freedom of speech.

My guess is that the general is a homophobe.

Besides, how do you know it was her God-given assets? She could've had work done for all we know

Answer 3

Gen. Pace did not incite hatred against gays and lesbians, nor did he dishonor them. He didn't say they were immoral. He said their actions are immoral. And it happens to be an opinion shared by the majority of enlisted personnel.

He said the same thing about adultery, by the way.

Michelle Manhart was relieved of duty because she committed actions unbecoming to a servicewoman. She also posed in Playboy wearing her uniform, which the military also has rules about.

Pace is a high-ranking member of the Pentagon and was cleared to speak on behalf of the military. Manhart took an oath to obey the military's rules and she didn't.

Yes, we all have freedom of speech but if you walk up to your boss and call him or her an asshole, you're still going to get fired.

Answer 4

Both are exercising their right to free speech and self expression and both should be allowed to do so as long as they are not hurting others. What the Pentagon's top general is effectively saying when he sprews his hate and intolerance of gay and lesbian troops is that it's okay for him to exercise his right to freedom of speech, but it's not okay for the gay and lesbian troops to exercise their right to freedom of expression. So to me the general is not only bringing dishonor to the military, he is bringing dishonor to the social freedoms he is sworn to protect.

Answer 5

General Pace insulted ALL gay men and women in a public forum. This is hate speech. Furthermore, to discuss it openly certainly violates, at least, the spirit of the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy.
Manhart's issue is trickier. If the wording of the military code of conduct specifically bars nude modelling, then her demotion was unfortunate, but appropriate. If the rule is a vague reference to 'indecent behavior' or wording to that effect i.e. somewhat vague, then I would argue that her demotion was extreme.
Either way, hate speech is worse than artistic expression.

Answer 6

Four star Generals and many in the military lose the right to free speech in the military, just as they are not tried in the US Criminal system but under the UCMJ! As a 4 star you have a right to your opinion, but personal opinions tend to sneak into their every day work ethic and has no place in the service! You don't have a right to Broadcast them to the world! It is nice to know where he stands and his career is over!

Being dismissed for posing nude is a bit much! Playboy is not a rag! If I were her, and had her attributes I would tell the service to stick it where the sun doesn't shine!

Answer 7

The greatest dishonor that we, as Americans, can bestow upon the men & women who Serve our Country- is by voting in a "Comander & Chief" who recklessly sends them off to fight & die in a "War" -without working through the consequences. Everything that follows thereafter- is just collateral damage from that vote. Our past two General Elections- have cost the lives of nearly 3,200 of our Service people. And the death toll will rise for as long as He we voted for- is in Office. WE are to blame- for who WE made "responsible" for running this country... And that's a fact.

Answer 8

There is a current system in place so gays can be in the military but that is not good enough for some democratic congressmen. So now they want to push the gay issue as a way to demoralize our troops during a war. what will be good enough? when all troops are made to try the gay thing just to prove tolerance? that General said he believes in current regulations and you spin it to be hate speech, your part of the problem.

Answer 9

Cindy Sheehan is 10 times more dishonorable than the playboy chick. And as for Genereal Pace. I salute the man!!!

Answer 10

In my opinion no one should be forced from their job (even a government job like the military) for what they do in their personal life as long as its not illegal...... last time i checked Hugh was not on the FBI's most wanted list and Elton was not in cuffs.

let people live the life they want....isn't that what started America? people formed an army to get the government to stop telling them how to live?