Uncle Sam Wants Criminals

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/20/opinion/...amp;oref=slogin
Editorial
Moral Waivers and the Military

To keep filling the ranks, the Army has had to keep lowering its expectations.
Diluting educational, aptitude and medical standards has not been enough. Nor have
larger enlistment bonuses plugged the gap. So the Army has found itself recklessly
expanding the granting of “moral waivers,†which let people convicted of serious
misdemeanors and even some felonies enlist in its ranks.

Without adequate monitoring and counseling, handing out guns to people who have
already committed crimes poses a danger to the other soldiers they serve with and
to the innocent civilians they are supposed to protect.

MJ again: Ahhh, more "lowered expectations" the republican mantra at work.
They'll fire homosexuals for honorable service to their country, but
elevate criminals to do the job. Apparently all the Iraqis have to do is send
a platoon of gays and lesbians and the homophobic US military will run with it's
tail between it's legs. Wouldn't want to catch 'it' now would we?

 

What else can they do when their commander in chief (cough cough) wants to fight 3 wars and he is too chickenshit to start up the draft. I don't blame the military commanders for looking far afield to fill the ranks, but I do hold their feet to the fire for firing gays, and especially when there are no trained troops to replace them, but under any circumstances really. Even Alexander The Great (would that we had someone-the-great now) recognized the value of homosexuals and the outstanding job they do as soldiers. He started an elite platoon of queers who were legendary soldiers and feared above all others. They fought side by side with their lovers. My how we've regressed. Looking on the bright side, it will be at least a generation before republicans can overcome junior's stupidity. After Iraq the military budget will be able to be slashed as there will be so few soldiers left to pay, and equip (ahem). Sad the republicans slashed the budget for the past 12 years and then sent our best and brightest into battle ill equipped.