I saw an article that I could not simply read and forget when I checked my email tonight:
http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,121509,00.html?ESRC=eb.nl. So I did as the page suggested and "sounded off" to let my voice be heard. Admittedly, my response is a bit lengthy for these online forums, but I'm also "firing for effect" here, not simply taking a halfhearted jab at someone else's stupid comment. It needed to be said, so I said it:
How unfortunate that some retired general officers can be so easily swayed by popular trends and so ignorant of true principles. This article is replete with claims of the clear failure of current policy, yet there is no evidence of failure that could ever be presented in this matter. This argument, like so many others that try to pull wrong behavior into the mainstream, is without principle, without historic or future vision, and without understanding of the realities of religion and family. Indeed, Gen Shalikashvili and his ilk, by claiming to be in touch with popular America, demonstrate how out of touch they are with the America that so many have given so much for.
First, there is a necessary distinction that must be made between our nation's founding principles and popular pressures. The father of our nation, a remarkable man who has been honored and revered far more than any of our retired generals ever will be, warned the fledgling country of the attributes and attitudes needed in public servants: "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity." He continues with an assertion and a question that should drive all of us to serious contemplation and focused action: "It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?" How easily we invoke the privileges of popular government while forgetting the necessary foundation for it: virtue and morality. We must define the public debate and turn public discourse and public behavior back to these fundamental elements of free government.
Second, this argument takes a narrow look at a short term manpower situation without any regard for long term consequences. Of note is the figure of 11,000 who have been dismissed over this policy over more than a decade. Considering the tens of thousands who enter and leave the service over the course of every year, well under 1,000 per year is hardly an argument for a critical loss of personnel. We separate far more casual drug abusers and alcoholics, many of whom have performed superbly in combat. Clearly they are a much more significant drain on our critical personnel. If we are truly stretched thin on personnel such that we have to abandon fundamental guardians of good order and discipline, then we need to first reconsider our policies on substance abuse, personality disorder, and body composition! Balderdash! How much more shallow can we get in attempting to keep our force strong? The power that drives and energizes a mighty military force is found in inspiring leaders filled with integrity, men and women challenged to excel, units that trail hard, and solid professional climates that foster esprit de corps in support of the nation's missions. We maintain strong and motivated servicemembers by holding high the torch of good order and discipline, not by extinguishing it and yielding to a sordid free-for-all. The natural progression of this idea, leading to the open acceptance of homosexuals in the military, would be a dark milestone in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. If "individual" lifestyles and "private" behaviors truly are deemed insignificant and independent of "public" military service, then we are done fighting the nation's battles because we will have destroyed ourselves from within.
Third, and finally, I make a very real plea to the common sense of the many good people within the military. With this policy, consider what we would gain versus what we would lose? I speak of strong families. When we talk about "our service" or "the military" being stretched thin, we are really talking about individual choices that hundreds of thousands of individuals have to make. Acceptance and endorsement of homosexuality is fundamentally opposed to the principles upon which the family is based. The family is the fabric of society; homosexuality and its associated forms of confusion and depravity are the shredders, burners, and seam rippers of that fabric. They do not co-exist and flourish together. Where one is given "maneuver room" the other is quickly sidelined. We give more and more lip service to strengthening and retaining families to keep the military strong, yet we are still woefully inadequate when it comes to acting in accordance with this concept. I can think of no policy that would more effectively turn more families away from military service than one making the military a safe haven and open political battleground for the radical homosexual movement. I will serve with all my heart and soul so long as I can keep my family strong and serve with a clean conscious. Being deployed half of every year makes it hard enough to feel like I'm doing right by my family, but the implementation of this policy would be a no-brainer for me and many others like me. Those strong family men and women of strong religious conviction--many of our finest leaders--would quickly recognize the broad destructive effects and implications of such a policy. The military would then increasingly become a massive political puppet in the hand of a sickening and confused nation.
For the love of all that we hold dear, may we reflect upon the fact that there is a God in heaven who loves us as his children and wants to bless us. Our homeland was set aside for a special purpose: its discovers were guided to it, its founders were united under divine direction, and its inhabitants over many decades have been miraculously blessed and prospered because of their overall tendency to do good and choose the right. We have been far from perfect, but we have been doing our best for a very long time. If we despise and reject the great Creator and Lawgiver and turn our backs on his commandments, then we will soon go the way of all other wicked nations that have become puffed up by pride and infected by iniquity. May we embrace and uphold those true and virtuous principles that have been the source of our "public and private felicity" for so long. In so doing, may we boldly defend them from the many attacks that they will most certainly face as we—retired brass and old big wigs included—try to remember the purpose for which we live, the purpose for which we unite, and the purpose for which we sometimes may have to fight and die.
Any thought of Grandpa Beck brings to mind a few choice words that are worth preserving for our posterity. He understood the value and necessity of work, family, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He possessed an unwavering testimony and eternal family perspective which inspired dozens of children and grandchildren to be strong links in the generational chain. His life reflected the knowledge that "this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God . . . ." He entrusted to us a legacy of faith, family, righteousness, and work that we must now preserve, improve, and instill in the rising generation.
