When national security and a right-wing culture war collide
By Steve Benen Wednesday Aug 06, 2008 2:20pm
Most of the time, the conservative culture-war efforts are simply annoying. Some far-right activists will try some stunt, it’ll fail in the courts, and the rest of us can focus our attention on real problems.
But it’s much harder to tolerate conservative intolerance when national security is at stake.
This morning’s Christian Science Monitor reports that the Army is preparing to offer a staggering $150,000 retention bonus to service members who are proficient in Arabic, “in reflection of how critical it has become for the US military to retain native language and cultural know-how in its ranks.” Indeed, as the war in Iraq goes on, and the military subsequently finds fewer and fewer people anxious for extended stays in the desert, retaining trained troops is becoming a critical centerpiece of many commanders’ strategies. The supply of Arabic speakers just isn’t keeping up with the demand created by ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“The military’s conventional language training program, the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif., could not churn out enough American soldiers proficient in Arabic, Kurdish, Dari, Pashtu, and Farsi, and the military quickly turned to private contractors to fill the gap,” reporter Gordon Lubold writes. “Numerous programs have sprouted up, including one at Fort Lewis, Wash., where soldiers are given a 10-month immersion program in language and culture.”
The Army is taking almost every step imaginable — from six-figure bonuses to civilian interpreters in the warzone to recruitment campaigns targeting Arab-American communities — to beef up its language capability.
Well, almost every step imaginable. While the military is searching desperately, and willing to pay enormous sums for those proficient in Arabic, the exact same military, at the exact same time, has driven 60 linguists who specialize in Arabic or Farsi out of the military because of their sexual orientation.
Republicans, including John McCain, think this makes sense. I have no idea why.
I’m reminded of the example we learned of a couple of years ago when Bleu Copas, a decorated sergeant and Arabic language specialist was thrown out of the military under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Copas, who joined the Army after the 9/11 attacks out of a sense of duty, was responsible for helping translate intercepted messages from possible terrorists, but he was thrown out anyway.
The Daily Show’s Jason Jones sat down with Paul Cameron, one of the nation’s leading anti-gay activists, who said, “I think the country, on the aggregate, is safer without Bleu in the military.” Asked why, Cameron explained, “Guys don’t want to think about other guys, other fellas, ogling them in the shower or whatever.”
Jones responded, “I know I’d rather die in a terrorist attack than suffer through an uncomfortable shower with a gay.” Cameron grudgingly responded, “Yes.”
Our government agrees with this. Again, I have no idea why.
It’s very simple. What’s more important: translating these communications intercepts, or discriminating against patriotic, gay volunteers who are willing to serve in the military in a time of two wars? It’s one or the other.
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Republicans, including John McCain, think this makes sense. I have no idea why.
Why, you ask? Don't ask! Don't tell!
Is it that so many translators are homosexual, or are they sick and tired of long deployments and never ending duty/call backs? Or maybe many can't cotton to working for a suppressing Colonial force.
Bottom line:
They are weaklings on National Security
GOP supports Terrorism!
It's interesting that the original Christian Science Monitor article doesn't even mention how Don't Ask Don't Tell is affecting the ability to recruit and retain translators. 60 translators kicked out because of their sexual orientation. That's about $9 million in retention bonuses. Jebus these people are f*ktards.
Hey sweet, I'm a straight American citizen who speaks Arabic, how do I get in on these 6 figure bonuses?
This is very unfortunate. An otherwise qualified individual, who actually wants to serve his country, is prevented from service because of these antiquated policies. Pathetic.
It is always these idiot right-wingers who that the country is better served if they remain stateside that are also homophobic. Interesting. They don't want to volunteer for the military, but they also won't tolerate gays in the military.
Our NATO allies have gays in their military, so does Israel, what's the problem.
Crazies like Jason Jones “I know I’d rather die in a terrorist attack than suffer through an uncomfortable shower with a gay.”
Having linguists in the army is ultimately counterproductive since the ability to speak the language of our putative enemies has the potential to defuse conflicts and negotiate peace... manifestly not the purpose of the army which is to fight wars. Indeed, fighting wars is more important than winning wars, certainly more important than winning the peace. With victory comes the burden of seeking out new conflicts.
It also exposes the hypocracy of those on the right who criticized Obama a few weeks ago for suggesting that Americans should learn a second language. Hmmm, looks like that might come in handy now.
Jocks, cops, the military and preachers are straight male rolls in American culture. I didn't make this up or support it it is simply
fact. Even though we think it's hateful to fire gay linguists, it is what American culture demands, because in American culture a
gay man is not a man, he is less than a man. He has a birth defect, a mental disorder, a psychological malfunction.
In the same way that we over convict minorities and underpay women our culture will continue to marginalize gay men.
It's the American way.
Kilgore Trout @ 7:
I think Jason Jones was being sarcastic.
Jay @ 9:
Bingo.
Just for larfs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IvPIWzQcUY
About 35 years ago when I was in my 20s I thought that one day soon all the old xenophobic, homophobic, chauvinist, KKK sympathizers would die out in about 35 years and we wouldn't have to put up with this crap anymore.
No cunnilinguists jokes, come make the lesbians happy. Lets face facts, if it wasn't for repressed homosexuality the republican party would not exist.
come make the lesbians happy?
"I have no idea why"
In case you haven't noticed terrorist attacks are good for the GOP. It lets them trample the very foundational freedoms of America. And that gives them a hard-on. As to having the translators there in Iraq that would only aid ending the conflict earlier and they certainly don't want that since it would hurt their war-profiteering. It's a win-win-win situation for them. Allow more attack, keep profiteering and pander to the fringe all at the same time.
Leadership @ 10:
If you think that all "jocks, cops, the military and preachers" are straight then I've got some swamp land I'd like to sell you.
Jay @ 9:
Yeah but that was Spanish, the OTHER brown people language. One wants are jobs, the other wants our death, haven't you been listing to our repubs leaders?
Tommy. I couldn't get the video to load so I only got it from the text. Should have known, my bad.
In Guantanamo Bay, Hamden is sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison, does that mean he already served most of his time?
eric @ 21:
Only 5 1/2 years????
Oh my god. You mean that in only 5 1/2 years that menace to society will be out on the streets again? Driving??????
This makes sense because it keeps the "religious right" happy. Can't take this voting bloc for granted, apparently.
Slow to load, and stalling, these "Comedy Centralized" videos are even more unwatchable than viewing them on the Comedy Central site directly, which is why I preferred watching them on Crooks and Liars.
eric @ 21:
In the real world, but GITMO aint the real world.
All that BS for 5 1/2 years, hell I thought they would have given him life in front of a firing squad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aotlEpmAFVQ
Ahmad Hamdan has been in Guantanamo Bay for 7 years.
I think it's a GOP Culture War
From gay translators getting kicked out of the military
WalMart warning against Democrats because unions
Saying abortion murder but not saving soldiers that went to war for someone else ambition
That christian faith that they believe but discriminate against others- secret Muslim, black, gay
A crazy man finds him self believing O'Reily and Faux news
and justifies murder by saying they were too liberal
They say family, faith, honesty and patriotism but really the truth they have affairs, turn out to be gay, lead us to war, wiretap, fraud, manipulate, steal, bribe, don't support any veterans, cutting pay from low-income workers, profit on the war, committing war crimes, Rove don't even get me started, smear, fear monger, spy, lie and censor
And I could go on........
When you want a "successful " occupation and need to retaliate or respond to an angered populace that is resisting the illegal invasion and occupation of THEIR home land and violating their sovereignty , of course you need Arabic speakers . You need EVERYTHING, more bombs, more fighter planes, more clerks, more janitors and more contractors , all in support for U.S. Imperialism or what the pentagon calls " full spectrum dominance " .
Of course U.S. foreign policy will NEVER change and his based on domination of others and the theft of resources , so they fully expect resistance as part of the bargain , hence Arabic speakers that are needed and the only " war zone ' is the war zone that the U.S. military creates and no doubt the fortified city in the " green zone ' formally Iraqi territory , aka the Embassy will be FILLED with building after building of SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS , SATELLITE HOOK UPS ..capable of spying on every CELL PHONE call in Iraq and the region ( with the help of Israeli cell phone companies in Iraq ) , and the spying of Iraqis on the Internet , OF COURSE YOU NEED TRANSLATORS and don't forget when they get their torture on , somebody needs to translate "confessions " in between the screaming in agony and suffering . You hear that boss , he just confessed to assassinating Lincoln . Ya - BABY , we got em now .
the hypocrisy.....i heard some of this on NPR. the money they have lost in training and bonuses due to the interpreters they let go is a big number in itself. now they have to offer big bonuses to attract people....wow fiscal responsibilty gone bad again.
so you know what they do.. they hire contractors who can interpret usually people of the same/similar culture...when these interpreters are identified by an opposing tribe/enemy they're threatened often killed also their family.....so this continues the cycle of killing and the development of terrorists out of revenge.
this government needs to get a grip and let people live their personal lives something i thought the republicans stood for........i forgot live your life on their terms.
RayC @ 14:
I'm serious in stating that they've merely exchanged the allegiance to the KKK for an allegiance to the Evangelical Church. The philosophies are the same.
Oh, christ on a bike - Puhleeez. I'm GLAD they're screwed for recruits. And if they want to kick people out for being left handed - whatever. KEEP IT IN PERSPECTIVE PEOPLE. It's a FASCIST WAR MACHINE. Who the hell cares?
"Mein fuhrer! We don't have enough oven operators who speak yiddish!"
The USA invaded two nations that posed NO SIGNIFICANT THREAT to the USA. One *harboured* a significant threat, and the exterpation of that threat was wildly bungled through the mindless use of massive military force.
Gee, homosexuals are being denied the chance to be part of an illegal invasion. Boo Freakin' Hoo. And you wonder why the World Hates America. Because even the "LIBERALS" are completely clueless and incapable of keeping things in a reasonable perspective and order. When the "LIBERALS" pitch fits over homosexuals being denied the right to be part of an illegal murderous invasion and occupation of a foreign country, the rest of the world wonders "What the HELL are those morons thinkin'?"
The sad part is that Obama can't even bring this up because Joe Sixpack and Betty Winebox would have a shitfit. "Whatya mean? We don't want none of those homo sapeans in out miltary. Next thing you know they will be taking pictures in the shower."
Tweakerbell @ 32:
Tag you just got 5 McCain points ;)
if info came from an anonymous tip and then they questioned him, did not the army break the dont ask dont tell policy??
what am i missing here?
btw, you can be a sociopathic gang member with a record, but god forbid you should be gay
can the translators that were dismissed come back to iraq through private firms? or is that verboten as well.
tom @ 36:
They probably could. But with all the immune from prosecution soldier of fortune types working for the "contractors" they'd be in serious danger if they did.
Yellow Elephant Safari @ 18:
Einstein,
I don't think anything, I am showing how stupid Americans culture is!!
You join the army to protect part of America, and to protect part of our national interest, and partly defend the constitution. And to this I will say I will go to the gates of hell!
Hey Steve,
Get some pointers from Silent Patriot about how to post a video from Comedy Central that everyone can see....
It is sad that the military are discriminating our soldier base on sexuality, when they should be base on criminal past and nationality. I rather have a homosexual that was born in this country and have a clean criminal record, than a foreigner that gain illegal entry, or have any criminal record in their past serve this nation in times of war. Regardless of whether I think this war is just.
Having people with good conscious serving our country is our last line of defense against chaos of any war. War is utter failure to communicate between nation, and is by nature chaos. It is going to take the best of us to get out of chaos, and the worse of us to keep it going until none left to fight.
Crazies like Jason Jones “I know I’d rather die in a terrorist attack than suffer through an uncomfortable shower with a gay.”
Jason, you could always ask the dude to soap it up......
When I was in the Navy, one of my shipmates confided in me that was gay. After I told him I'd never met a gay person before, he pointed out to me all the other guys in the crew who were gay. It was about 30% of the officers and crew, including many career guys. After I got over the shock, we had a good belly-laugh about it, and that was the last time the subject was ever mentioned.
If they threw out everybody who was gay, they'd be in some serious hurt. What an ignorant policy. It never bothered me serving beside gays. They did their jobs as well as anybody else.
Jones responded, “I know I’d rather die in a terrorist attack than suffer through an uncomfortable shower with a gay.” Cameron grudgingly responded, “Yes.”
This has to be the most bizarre thing I've ever heard.
Where do these 'straight' guys get the idea that every gay man wants to sleep with them?
Not to be obtuse, but why are so many arabic translators gay?
The Rethuglicans are a bunch of idiots who would cut off their collective noses to spite their faces. It is amazing how Bush and Co have taken every opportunity for success and screwed it up ... royally! It would be so sad if it wasn't so criminal.
abarts @ 44:
Cameron was probably just shortchanged in life and has an inferiority complex.
St. Paul Scout @ 42:
You do know that Jason Jones is one of the cast of "The Daily Show" and that he made that statement in an interview with "Dr." Paul Cameron of the Family Research Institute, an advocate of keeping gays out of the military, right?
Sanjiv Sarwate @ 49:
Sarcasm doesn't transcribe very well, does it?
cool scam to continue hallowing out the fed gov't. So Blue used to be a $20K a year devoted civil servant, but now he can be a dispassionate $120K sub-sub contractor which the outsourcing company can bill at 2x ~ 3x his salary. you just have to love the genius of Reagannomics.
Yea yea yea... Just war or not aside, (and it's not, just for the record), Let all yell Oooo rahh!!! just like real marines, cause it's soooo friggin great to rid the military of fucking queers and all the other weirdos who won't tote the neocon line. (well except for the gangbangers and other garden variety criminals they've been willing to lower their standards for lately)... It's a great day in the morning cause our troops may not be able to tell if the kid, woman, falafel peddler or whatever walking towards them yabbering in farsi wants to be friends or blow the hell out of both of them... But at least these soldiers won't have to worry about gay translators making passes at them, or having wet dreams about getting into the sack with them.... Hallaloojah!!! Right??? right????
Cough (bullshit!) cough.... I can recall that way back in the stone age of the 80's when I went to sea, I knew a fair amount of these 'deviants', these so-called mental deficient types etc, (how they managed to snooker their way into the navy or why they wanted to I'll never know)... But ya know what??? It was no big deal. They did their jobs just as well as any straight and actually keep their shit together a lot better than a lot of my straight friends, some of who couldn't even make thru a three or four year hitch in freakin peacetime.... Yea, I saw my share of big chicken dinners and o.t.h. 's served up over the most stupid bonehead of reasons while I was in... But noone from my ship was kicked out just for being gay.... But a lot of my straigth friends got the boot for just being stupid idiots....
And ya know what else??? These 'faggots' didn't seem at all interested in cornholing straight boys at sea or on liberty. Imagine that.... Turns out, they'd rather spend their time and energy gettin it on with other gays. Well FUCK!!! Who knew!!! Folks, this asinine stupidity and predudice that passes for supposed understanding of the gay community and lifestye and/or the security threat a supposed gay man or woman poses to the military and its various 'missions' is about the most ridiculous bullshit going these days.... Well next to Chimpy's administration that is... On the other hand, those who say, its the freaking MIC, who gives a shit, have a point... Maybe the gay community should just roll with it and consider themselves lucky... At least for now. JD
"And the Lord said, Behold the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do; and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence on all the face of the earth; and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel. . . ." Genesis 11:6-9
Here the Lord says in plain English that you don't have no business talking with Arabs. If you did, you might team up with them and buid a stairway to heaven and then what use would you have for Jeebus?
Tweakerbell @ 32:
You do make an excellent point, wonderfully.
But I think the point of the post itself, is not that it is regrettable that openly gay folks aren't free to join the Arabic translating fun for the jolly war... I think the point is to simply illustrate the absurdity of the practical conflicts that arise when policy is made by gay-hating warmongers.
The added hypocrisy of these policies being employed by self-professed Christians is a bonus, incidentally. When there are those among them who have openly homosexual children besides, who they presumably love... well that pretty much pegs out the hypocrisy meter right there.
Nick T @ 5:
First, tell us how much you love President Bush, you know in a straight guy kind of way?
Just another way conservative have made us vulnerable to an attack.
Sanjiv Sarwate @ 49:
You'd think so, since the article above lists his name and affiliation with the Daily Show. I remember that interview. It would have been funny if it wasn't so sad that the good "Dr" wasn't being sarcastic in agreement.
Sue @ 57:
Sigh... is there no hope for the satire impaired?
Let me let you in on a secret, colloquial Arabic isn't that hard. I'm an Irish guy from New England. I joined the Peace Corps and spent 3 months in an Arabic speaking country and scored a 3+ out of 4 on the State Dept's proficiency scale. I can't read Arabic, but, neither could Mohammad.
What amazes me is that we could have had close to a million guys rotating through Iraq and Afghanistan, lots of people with more than 3 years in country and all they can say is 'Hands Up'. I think there is a conscious policy to discourage troops from learning Arabic. Perhaps we wouldn't do some of the things we do if we could talk to people...
At what point does the brass create a green-card-for-service program for native iraqis fluent in arabic? Time to stir the melting pot...
When national security and a right-wing culture war collide
You get bastard mutants?
They asked! This is exactly what used to happen before "Don't ask, don't tell." They were starting a witch hunt with him. They wanted him to out every other gay person in the military that he knew. It's pathetic and sad, and discriminatory as hell.
Most generals have more brass between their ears than they have between their legs.
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