Yes, the gays expect to get the free pass because they are the "cause du jour."

No, actually they merely want the same rights that heterosexuals have, but to some people, I guess that is too much to ask for...

As for all this talk about respecting different cultures...how would someone in one of these countries know for certain (and be offended) by a homosexual translator (unless he/she was openly prancing around and flaunting his/her sexuality)?

But the assaults and rapes wouldn't suprise me. Ever since the latest invasion of Iraq I have seen regularly seen stories about raped soldiers and suspicious deaths like LaVena Johnson. Stories going from 9% rapes for female marines in 1996 to 29% of female vets being raped in 2008 and a lot more stories in the years between.

But I probabely read a lot more female oriented blogs than you do.

According to several studies of the US military funded by the Department of Veteran Affairs, 30% of military women are raped while serving, 71% are sexually assaulted, and 90% are sexually harassed.

Do you find those numbers even roughly plausible? I'm guessing they're off by an order of magnitude.

According to several studies of the US military funded by the Department of Veteran Affairs, 30% of military women are raped while serving, 71% are sexually assaulted, and 90% are sexually harassed.

I have no need or desire to prove any point to you.

Of course not. Which is doubtless why you've written the longest message in this thread to respond to the thrust of my argument. But, pray, continue.

I reject totally any culture that forces women to completely cover themselves head to toe, any culture that thinks it is totally acceptable to throw acid in young schoolgirls' faces, any culture that thinks it is acceptable to strap on a bomb and blow up people going about their lives peaceably. Do you?

As it happens, I agree with you in this, at least, but my position on their culture is beside the point, given that the comparison was between the left's cries of 'cultural respect' and the actions they take when one of their core groups is offended. It's that comparison that gives lie to the 'cultural respect' line we've been fed by the apologists, and the anti-war types.

And there's the answer to my question; Because homosexuality is involved, the overt concern for 'respecting their culture' doesn't quite rate as high. How very Sullivanesque of you. Thanks for proving my point.

I have no need or desire to prove any point to you.

BUT

You wrote

Is Homosexuality the one place where this cultural respect is given a pass by liberals, I wonder?

So to that, I will respond NO it is not the only issue that this cultural liberal gives a pass to. Because I do not give it a pass.

(Upon reflection, your question is very close to the construction of "have you stopped beating your wife yet", you get to call GOTCHA on any response)

I reject totally any culture that forces women to completely cover themselves head to toe, any culture that thinks it is totally acceptable to throw acid in young schoolgirls' faces, any culture that thinks it is acceptable to strap on a bomb and blow up people going about their lives peaceably. Do you?

This posting was about a gay american soldier's discharge, not about all aspects of a culture, so I did not feel it necessary to list everything I might find objectionable.

I do not understand what the great fear is when it comes to gay translators.

Is it assumed that they will be inserting references to the "gay agenda" into their translations or that they will use too "flowery" language?

For my part, the point I was making was their very presence offending the Arabs, not what they'd SAY, per se'.

If it is supposed to come down to our not wanting to offend the sensibilities of our allies, I say offend away in this case.

And there's the answer to my question; Because homosexuality is involved, the overt concern for 'respecting their culture' doesn't quite rate as high. How very Sullivanesque of you. Thanks for proving my point.

Is it assumed that they will be inserting references to the "gay agenda" into their translations or that they will use too "flowery" language?

Who is really afraid of them, our arabic/muslim "allies" or our own countrymen and women who go into hysterics about "teh gay"?

If it is supposed to come down to our not wanting to offend the sensibilities of our allies, I say offend away in this case. Currently in Iraq there are apparently death squads (with government support) that are targeting gays using horrific methods to cause slow agonizing deaths.

The faster we get out of that country and let them handle their own problems the better.

As a gay american, I am conflicted about Mr Choi's joining the military. I am not sure I would want to join an organization that perceives me as totally and utterly undesirable but I can also understand his love for this country and his desire to serve it.

Again, IANAL

DADT.