1115.org

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace:

Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Monday that he supports the Pentagon’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” ban on gays serving in the military because homosexual acts “are immoral,” akin to a member of the armed forces conducting an adulterous affair with the spouse of another service member.

Responding to a question about a Clinton-era policy that is coming under renewed scrutiny amid fears of future U.S. troop shortages, Pace said the Pentagon should not “condone” immoral behavior by allowing gay soldiers to serve openly. He said his views were based on his personal “upbringing,” in which he was taught that certain types of conduct are immoral.

“I believe homosexual acts between two individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts…,” Pace said in a wide-ranging discussion with Tribune editors and reporters in Chicago. “I do not believe the United States is well served by a policy that says it is okay to be immoral in any way.”

Pace gives a feint toward his “personal” views, but at the end of the day, his personal opinion is that of a four-star general who is the top advisor to the President on military matters. This point of view, justified by bigots as “necessary for unit cohesion,” has made this county less safe. Kicking gay translators out of the military has resulted in backlogs. Bouncing gay combat troops out of the service has forced the lowering of standards, including the acceptance of criminals and mental cases. Pace has already proven himself to be incompetent, and now he’s adding bigotry to his record.

General Peter Pace doesn’t deserve the stars on his shoulders, or even the uniform he wears. He’s unfit to represent this country. He’s unfit to represent me.