Military Still Canning Gay Arabic Linguists

From the AP:
U.S. military continues to discharge gay Arab linguists, and Congress members seek hearing

WASHINGTON: Lawmakers who say the military has kicked out 58 Arabic linguists because they were gay want the Pentagon to explain how it can afford to let the valuable language specialists go.

Seizing on the latest discharges, involving three specialists, members of the House of Representatives wrote the House Armed Services Committee chairman that the continued loss of such "capable, highly skilled Arabic linguists continues to compromise our national security during time of war."

(snip)

Democratic Rep. Marty Meehan, who has pushed for repeal of the law, organized the letter sent to Skelton requesting a hearing into the Arab linguist issue.

"At a time when our military is stretched to the limit and our cultural knowledge of the Middle East is dangerously deficient, I just can't believe that kicking out able, competent Arabic linguists is making our country any safer," Meehan said.

The letter, signed by about 40 House members, says that, with the latest firings, 58 Arab linguists have been dismissed from the military under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. It said Congress should decide whether this application of the policy "is serving the nation well."

(snip)

Marine Maj. Stewart Upton, a Pentagon spokesman, said the Defense Department is enforcing the law.

"The Department of Defense must ensure that the standards for enlistment and appointment of members of the armed forces reflect the policies set forth by Congress," he said, adding that those dismissed can serve their nation by working as contractors or at other federal agencies."

While I could wax about how stupid and antiquated this law is or about how badly the military needs Arab linguists I'll just say this:

Any American citizen that is willing to fight and die for their country and meets the physical and mental standards to qualify for that duty while having no serious criminal record should be allowed to serve their country in the military. Period.

Lingere store clerk to be labeled a sex offender

Police Raid Lingerie Shop
LUBBOCK, TX -- An obscure law sends one local lingerie store clerk to jail. And now she may forever have to register as a sex offender.
The lingerie store, Somethin’ Sexy was raided by police last week for violating Lubbock`s sexually oriented business ordinance.

"I feel like I`m in 1690 Salem, Massachusetts and we`re looking for a witch to burn" says the store’s owner.

The witch: the owner of Somethin’ Sexy. He`s speaking out about the raid of his shop and the arrest of his employee. Now, if convicted, the clerk will have to register as a sex offender.

"I think it`s ridiculous. She`s not a sex offender, she was selling something that I had instructed them it was ok to sell, I think it`s ridiculous" he says.

Earlier this month, four officers raided the shop, confiscating several toys deemed to be illegal by the Texas penal code. The code states "a person who possesses six or more obscene devices is presumed to possess them with intent to promote the same." In other words, intent to sell. more

There have been several stories not unlike this one in the local papers including crackdowns on a company that hosts novelty parties in private homes. I for one am not fond of overly judicious usage of the sex offender database which now includes teenagers convicted of statutory rape (2 years age difference required). Maybe I'm morally bankrupt for thinking that an 18 year old shouldn't be branded a pariah for life for engaging in sex with a 16 year old (or a 17 and a 15 year old) . The usage of the sex registry law needs to be restricted to its original intent.. But what lawmaker is is going to give his political opponents that much ammunition against them by standing up to fight for "known pervs"?

Note: A similar Alabama law is to be presented to the Supreme Court shortly.

H/T to Pagan Vigil