Brownback supports general over comments on homosexuals / LJWorld.com

Archive for Friday, March 16, 2007

By Sam Hananel - Associated Press Writer

March 16, 2007

Washington — Republican presidential candidate Sam Brownback is backing the Pentagon's top general over his remarks that homosexual acts are immoral.

The Kansas senator planned to send a letter on Thursday to President Bush supporting Marine Gen. Peter Pace, who earlier this week likened homosexuality to adultery and said the military should not condone it by allowing gay personnel to serve openly.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs also said in an interview with the Chicago Tribune: "I believe that homosexual acts between individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts. I do not believe the United States is well-served by a policy that says it is OK to be immoral in any way."

Lawmakers of both parties criticized the remarks, but Brownback's letter called the criticism "both unfair and unfortunate."

"We should not expect someone as qualified, accomplished and articulate as General Pace to lack personal views on important moral issues," Brownback said. "In fact, we should expect that anyone entrusted with such great responsibility will have strong moral views."

Asked whether he agreed with Pace's comments, Brownback said: "I do not believe being a homosexual is immoral, but I do believe homosexual acts are. I'm a Catholic and the church has clear teachings on this."

Democratic candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama initially tried to sidestep the issue when asked about it this week, but both sought to clarify their opposition to Pace's comments on Thursday.

Obama did not directly answer on Wednesday when asked if same-sex relationships were immoral, Newsday reported. Obama issued a statement on Thursday, saying, "I do not agree with General Pace that homosexuality is immoral. Attempts to divide people like this have consumed too much of our politics over the past six years."

Clinton told ABC News Wednesday that it's for "others to conclude" whether homosexuality is immoral. On Thursday, she put out a statement saying that she'd heard from gay friends who said her answer sounded evasive.

"I should have echoed my colleague Senator John Warner's statement forcefully stating that homosexuality is not immoral because that is what I believe," her statement said.

Meanwhile, Democratic hopeful Bill Richardson called Pace's remarks "unfortunate" and said the Bush administration should reject them, adding that he would push Congress to repeal military's "don't ask, don't tell policy" in which gay service members are required to keep their sexual orientation private.

"People should not be judged based on their sexual orientation," the New Mexico Governor said in Santa Fe. "Throughout my entire career I have fought for equal rights and against discrimination of any kind."

While there is no indication that Pace's job is in jeopardy, Brownback's letter to Bush said "personal moral beliefs" should not disqualify anyone from a position of leadership in the U.S. military.

"General Pace's recent remarks do not deserve the criticism they have received," the letter said. "In fact, we applaud General Pace for maintaining a personal commitment to moral principles."

Pace said he supports "don't ask, don't tell," something Brownback said is "an appropriate policy."

Brownback, a favorite of the religious right, has been a prominent opponent of gay marriage.

Brownback spokesman Brian Hart said the senator was working Thursday to get other lawmakers to sign his letter. Hart said Brownback's office would not disclose who has signed on to the letter until there is "a final count."

On his campaign bus in Iowa on Thursday, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., declined to comment when asked whether he agreed with Gen. Peter Pace's comment that homosexuality was immoral. He said he still backs the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. "It's working."

Another Republican candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who has been criticized for changing his views on gay rights to conform with conservative views, said he thought Pace's comments were "inappropriate for public discourse."

"He can believe what he wants to, that's the great thing about America - believe in what you want. But in a governmental setting, the right way to go is to show more of an outpouring of tolerance," Romney said on CNN's "Larry King Live."

He said he didn't think the "don't ask, don't tell policy" made a lot of sense, but added he wouldn't change it now.

Discussion

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16 March 2007
at 9:17 a.m.

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lounger (Anonymous) says…

brownback is a big joke. some one please tell him to go away!!!!!
16 March 2007
at 10:48 a.m.

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Ragingbear (Anonymous) says…

~~”I do not believe being a homosexual is immoral, but I do believe homosexual acts are.”~~

This only goes to show that Brownback is a moron that has no independent thought. This comment is idiotic and proves how bigoted he is.
16 March 2007
at 10:53 a.m.

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crazyks (Anonymous) says…

If homosexuality is akin to adultery, and gays shouldn't be allowed to serve in the military openly, then I guess any heterosexual who has admitted cheating on their spouse should be kicked out of the military as well.

There would be no one left to serve, though…

I believe that political acts are immoral, too. All is fair in love and war, huh, Brownback? Any action is okay as long as you think it will help you to win, immoral or not?
16 March 2007
at 12:58 p.m.

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Ragingbear (Anonymous) says…

The problem I have is this. In this country, it is not against the law to be homosexual. In Egypt, the penalty is death. The military (supposedly) protects this country and it's rights (unless your an “enemy combatant”). So, what the government is trying to say is that if you are living in a lifestyle that is protected in this country, that you are not allowed to serve the country in a way to see to the continued protection of our rights? It's asinine.

Homosexuals are not these deviants that want to have sex with every man they look at, despite what certain whack jobs like the Westboro Baptist Church preach. They are just like straight people, except they are interested in the same sex. The entire courtship ritual and everything is every bit as complex, if not more so.

People cite how certain rest stops are known havens for homosexual activity. What they fail to understand is that anyone can be a whore. Anyone can freely give their body away to whosoever wants it regardless of what gender you are. Just because the hype is focused around homosexuals mean nothing. Think back to that college frat party where there was a woman in one of the bedroom, with a line going into it. Same concept.
16 March 2007
at 1:05 p.m.

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SettingTheRecordStraight (Anonymous) says…

I do not believe being a homosexual is immoral, but I do believe homosexual acts are.

I completely agree with this statement. Proud to be politically incorrect!
16 March 2007
at 1:06 p.m.

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prioress (Anonymous) says…

R.B.: Good points. Brownie is surfing for votes, but he's already toast in the race for president. If we could just get him to come home and quit giving us a bad name in Washington I'd be happy
16 March 2007
at 2:23 p.m.

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crazyks (Anonymous) says…

True, Cool…

Just because you don't know about it, and they don't announce their preference, doesn't mean there aren't gays in the military.

For all everyone knows, some of the most celebrated heroes in Iraq could be gay.