GOP challenges military march in gay parade
WASHINGTON (AP) - Congressional Republicans challenged Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Tuesday to explain why the Defense Department allowed active-duty troops to wear their uniforms while marching in San Diego's gay pride parade last weekend.
In a letter to Panetta, Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma said department rules bar service members from participating in political activities while in uniform and pressed Panetta on why a waiver was granted, who requested it and why it was considered over others.
Inhofe, who serves on the Armed Services Committee, also pointed out that administrative action has been taken against service members who have violated the rule.
"If the Navy can punish a chaplain for participating in a pro-life event or a Marine participating in a political rally, it stands to reason that the Defense Department should maintain the same standard and preclude service members in uniform from marching in a gay pride parade," Inhofe wrote.
In a statement accompanying the letter, Inhofe said he was concerned that the Obama administration "continues to force its liberal social agenda on the military by promoting the homosexual agenda, mandating the use of high-cost green energy initiatives, pursuing abortion rights and suppressing the free exercise of religious liberties."
On Saturday, dozens of soldiers, sailors and Marines in uniform marched alongside an old Army truck with a "Freedom to Serve" banner and a rainbow flag. Dozens of military personnel in civilian clothes joined them.
The Pentagon had advised all its branches that it was making an exception for the San Diego parade even though its policy prohibits service members from marching in uniform in political parades. The department said it made the exception because organizers had encouraged military personnel to march in their uniform and the event was getting national attention.
The waiver only applied to this year's parade in San Diego.
Rep. J. Randy Forbes, R-Va., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued a statement condemning the waiver.
"I am calling on the Defense Department to halt these dangerous exceptions to policy for political purposes," Forbes said. "This decision was an outrageous and blatantly political determination issued solely to advance this administration's social agenda."
The administration, with the backing of Congress, ended the policy barring gays to serve openly in the military. Nevertheless, several Republicans in Congress have been critical of the change in policy and have pushed legislation to limit the new policy.
In a letter to Panetta, Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma said department rules bar service members from participating in political activities while in uniform and pressed Panetta on why a waiver was granted, who requested it and why it was considered over others.
Inhofe, who serves on the Armed Services Committee, also pointed out that administrative action has been taken against service members who have violated the rule.
"If the Navy can punish a chaplain for participating in a pro-life event or a Marine participating in a political rally, it stands to reason that the Defense Department should maintain the same standard and preclude service members in uniform from marching in a gay pride parade," Inhofe wrote.
In a statement accompanying the letter, Inhofe said he was concerned that the Obama administration "continues to force its liberal social agenda on the military by promoting the homosexual agenda, mandating the use of high-cost green energy initiatives, pursuing abortion rights and suppressing the free exercise of religious liberties."
On Saturday, dozens of soldiers, sailors and Marines in uniform marched alongside an old Army truck with a "Freedom to Serve" banner and a rainbow flag. Dozens of military personnel in civilian clothes joined them.
The Pentagon had advised all its branches that it was making an exception for the San Diego parade even though its policy prohibits service members from marching in uniform in political parades. The department said it made the exception because organizers had encouraged military personnel to march in their uniform and the event was getting national attention.
The waiver only applied to this year's parade in San Diego.
Rep. J. Randy Forbes, R-Va., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued a statement condemning the waiver.
"I am calling on the Defense Department to halt these dangerous exceptions to policy for political purposes," Forbes said. "This decision was an outrageous and blatantly political determination issued solely to advance this administration's social agenda."
The administration, with the backing of Congress, ended the policy barring gays to serve openly in the military. Nevertheless, several Republicans in Congress have been critical of the change in policy and have pushed legislation to limit the new policy.
When was the last time anyone considered a gay parade a political function? What would be the point they need to adavance by marching in a gay parade? They already got what they want, to serve openly.
If it was a patriotic parade, would it be ok to wear the uniform? Who jnows some could deem that as politcal, after the GOP has claimed patriotism as thiers.
People, the GOP has been engaged in a parade of antics that results in people losing right. The have been try to take away womens rights, they are engage in stopping certain people from voting, they bust unions, they are very anti gay and now defining gay parades as political to stop service members from wearing uniforms. Funny how the party that screams "DON"T TREAD ON ME" sure does a whole bunch of treading!
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This is what it really is; Â Inhofe said he was concerned that the Obama administration "continues to force its liberal social agenda on the military by promoting the homosexual agenda, mandating the use of high-cost green energy initiatives, pursuing abortion rights and suppressing the free exercise of religious liberties." Â
Most of what he said is right and at the same time it's not really the way he put it. Way out of context. He is a liar like Romeny distorted tObama's speech on business building. That lie by Romeny is way out there and anybody who saw the whole speech knows exactly what was said. Obama never the indidvidual did not build his business but that the government built the infrastructure that made the businesses thrive-no roads no customers.
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As a straight person I've always experienced the Gay Pride Parade in Seattle as a celebration not a political march. It's really no different than the Strawberry festival on Vashon where I live now -- Soldier's/Veterans march in uniform in ours as well and I'm glad they do.
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I understand that conservative Republican's want to use big government to control what an individual does with their bodies; but that does not mean that the rest of us accept such issues as necessarily political. I think what the Obama's administration is doing is accepting that gay/lesbian orientation is now normal, and should be seen that way despite the intolerance of exceptions like Inhofe and Forbes.
Appears the navy is the branch of choice. Interesting.
 @klondiko:Â
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If you looked at the photos that ran with the original story over the weekend, you would see that there were ALSO Marines & Army marching as well.
UMMMM Perhaps it is because this parade took place in San Diego.
The idea that a gay parade is "political" would not be in the vocabulary of the populace if people would stop the sociopathic activity of denying rights available to themselves and others, rights that they themselves demand so fervently as human rights. Â Only by denying a right given to one human that is available to other humans do you create a political issue. Â Welcome!Â
and p.s., the Gay Pride Parade is not a political venue....much as the gopr icks would like to make it one.
F U G O P
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Whazzamatta, jealous? Â Go back to your important agenda issue of ruling every vagina in the country.
 @fyrefawx:Â
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You will enjoy this - it is a "protest song" that addresses the GOP's fascination with women's body parts.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heXZTMHG88Y
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 @LocalLady Thank you so much!  I have tweeted it and sent it to everyone I know - It's hilarious!
Most of the Republicans and culture warriors indignant over this never bothered to serve in the military and wear the uniforms themselves. These folks have earned the right to wear the uniform and they can wear it wherever they damn well please!
There's that laser-like Conservative focus on jobs again...
<sarc on>With all the other problems this country is facing it is so nice to know that the Congressional Republicans have their priorities in order.<sarc off>
"The Pentagon had advised all its branches that it was making an exception for the San Diego parade even though its policy prohibits service members from marching in uniform in political parades."
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Poor decision regardless of how you feel about gays in the military. Exceptions like this corrode the belief that our military is as apolitical as is possible. If this weren't an election year, the political appointees at the Pentagon would not have approved this.
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It seems to me the issue is not with the people marching, because they did have permission. The issue is WHY they were given permission.
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Whether you are liberal or conservative, you are not supposed to back a political agenda while in uniform.
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Not too long ago there were those ladies who got in a bit of hot water for taking pictures for pro-breastfeeding of them breastfeeding their babies while in uniform. Breast feeding is the most natural thing in the world. We do it, animals do it. However, it is a topic of debate among some circles.
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I am very much middle of the road politically. I do not agree with everything on either side. I DO support our troops, and I DO support gay rights. That being said, the rules should be held to the same standard for both sides. It does seem like they were given special treatment and that I dont understand. And this is taking away the agenda behind the marching. I am just looking at it as a political parade, not what it represents.
 @lovestolearn You nailed it. I am liberal. I support gays serving their country in the military. However, allowing anyone to wear their uniform at any political event is wrong. How about some consistency here, Pentagon?
Ironic....these are the men and women that are willing to put their lives on the line so we can have the freedoms we enjoy (speech, religion, etc.).....but they aren't allowed to have the same privileges? hmmm......
 @The WA Mama They can march--in civilian clothes. In uniform they represent everyone as well as the military and the military--up until this tough election for Obama--has prudently banned all participation in political events when in uniform.
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 @The WA Mama The fact that the gays are being allowed to wear their uniforms at this parade when they normally would not be, actually shows that they are getting a special privilege that others would not be granted under similar circumstances. So your charge that they are not being allowed to have the same privileges as other is BS. They are actually being allowed to have more privileges than others in this case.
So, will the right wing nut jobs pitch a fit when the Blue Angles are in the Seafair parade... in uniform?
 @EMDF9A The Seafair Parade is not political and is not an agenda. The military has to stay neutral when it comes to those sort of things.
 @glamdring2012 LOL - how easy is it for anyone to pull your trick and say that no matter what the evidence says, Seafair is a political event and there is an agenda behind it, ergo no Blue Angels?
@glamdring2012. Donât you believe that McKenna would also be allowed "to be in their parades"?
 @KOMO_Sapiens What "evidence" says there is no politics or agenda behind gay pride parades? When I see the gays officially supporting the Democratic party, and waving their Obama 2012 signs while they march, and allowing politicians such as Christine Gregoire to be in their parades...I'd say they are very political. When I see the gays wearing colors and outfits that are meant to represent their own group and their own lifestyle, and waving rainbow colored flags that only represent themselves and not the whole country...I'd say there is definitely an agenda. Please explain to me how the Seafair parade is even remotely like this. You can't.
There are so many more important issues/ problems with this country why isn't Senator Inhofe (of Oklahoma) foaming at the mouth over a parade in San Diego? Just get back to work, will you!
Why are homosexuals always looking to be treated differently??
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The GOP is right on this one.
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LIBERALS would be foaming at the mouth if military personnel wore their uniforms to a Tea Party rally!!
The GOP should mind it's own!
@DDG No, the policy is clear: No uniformed marching for ANY political agenda. Period.
 @TheBronze  @DDG Bummer for you that it's not political and there is no agenda.
I didn't think the march was political at all. Seems to be a thinly veiled attack on gays in the military.
Can I just say this: What bleeping business is it of Congress to question this? It's not in their jurisdiction (as far as I know).
Interesting how the Republicans always complain when government gets involved in everyone's personal lives and here they are just as guilty. Who died and made them boss of me.
Or rather these particular Congressmen I mean.
The Defense Department policy says personnel cannot march in parades in uniform unless they receive approval from their commanding officers or other Pentagon-approved authorities.
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Why the special treatment?
 @Patriot They did have permission That is the point, these Reps don't believe they should have had it. This was a gay pride parade not a political event. Troops in uniform are seen in political ads all of the time now that is political.
 @gadfly 7923 Most people would see gay pride parades as political events...especially when they feature pro-gay politicians in them such as governor Christine Gregoire, or they wave "Obama 2012" signs while they march.
@glamdring2012 @wsims007:Â
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The politicians appear in the parades with "vote for me" signs, buttons & literature. It happens at the small neighborhood parades, as well as the Torchlight Parade in downtown. So yes, Seafair's parade is political.
 @WSims007 Are you suggesting there are politicians who are officially appearing in the Seafair parade to promote their political agendas, or are you talking about politicians who are merely attending the parade like everyone else or just overseeing it? Be specific...because there is a huge difference.
The application to be in the Seafair parade even states this in the rules:
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"The parade is not a forum for political points of view nor will entries for specific causes be accepted. Use of partisan political signs or other political material on an entry or improper use of the American flag is prohibited."
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This same cannot be said at all about the gay pride parades. People marching in the pride parades are very loud about their politics and agendas..
 @glamdring2012Â
And what about the politicians appearing in Seafair? As for the Gay Pride parades, yes some of it is probably a bit political, but also a lot of it is not.
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As for the republicans, as usual, they come out guns blazing about affairs that have no net effect upon jobs, economy, etc. For those items, they speak softly and without one bit of any conviction, except that the top .01% should pay no taxes.
meanwhile the country burns.
@Patriot They were given a one time exception to policy. After how many years of serving in the closet, why not let people celebrate a bit.
@DeadRabitz Because the United States Military is not about celebrating gayness, political parties, or any other agenda. Their sole purpose is to defend this nation. If you start allowing this sort of thing, then the target starts to shift, priorities shift and the next thing you know, we are caught with our britches down.
 @DeadRabitz Who knows what they would give permission for. They just gave it for this and it has ticked off the other side. It is not too far fetched to believe that a Pentagon run by Mitt might give permission for someone to march in an anti-gay parade or a pro-life parade. He is a Mormon. Permission to go against the rules doesn't make it right, it just means that you tweaked the rules for a political movement that you aprove of. Typical hypocrisy! That is YOUR defenition of equal rights, not the oppositions. I still can't believe you are so blinded by your partisanship that you believe that a gay pride parade is not political. Everything about it is political. It cracks me up how one side or the other (in this case your side) always thinks that they are above the rules and they should be altered just for their causes. Nothing but hypocrisy!
 @whoareyou Once again they were given permission to wear their uniforms.  For that permission they had to go to the pentagon.  Do you honestly think that the pentagon would give permission for military members to wear their uniforms with the KKK or the WBC.  The gay pride march is for the most part apolitical.  Supporting equal rights really isn't a political stance, whereas supporting a specific politician or party would be.
 @DeadRabitz Once again then why can't the Westboro guy or the abortion clinic protester "express" themselves? I can't believe you can't see the hypocrisy of your stance on this?Â
@TheBronze They are letting service members express themselves and their pride, pride of finally getting to serve openly. They were given approval from the pentagon and I don't see anything wrong. BTW if you think a little parade is going to distract the us military and cause it not to function propery you have another thing coming.
@DeadRabitz I personally don't have a problem with them marching, but the bigger precedent is an issue. The military is supposed to be apolitcal and should stay that way. In all these situations you should think of a scenario where YOUR worst political opponent gets in office and allows the military to march or participate in a parade or movement that you dislike. What's next? How about a servicemember in uniform marching with the Westboro wackos? The KKK? What about them giving a speech at a convention? Where do we draw the line? I for one think that if they are marching out of uniform, more power to them, in uniform you are taking a side in a political debate.
 @DeadRabitz Please...that is a cop out. Gay pride parade is not political? You're kidding right? Then neither is the Westboro or the guys who picket abortion clinics! No politics there either. Be careful what you wish for because I for one don't want to see our service members as active activists in ANY movement! There is a reason they are apolitical and that is to keep one group or another from using them to further their agenda.
 @DeadRabitz That is because those are not political marches! This one is. So you are telling me you would have no problem if a service member marched with the Westboro, marched in front of an abortion clinic or pick any conservative movement and stick a uniformed service person there and still tell me you wouldn't be upset?Â
That's my point and rightfully so! One has to be careful what you cheer for in debates like this because you are opening up the opposition to your political beliefs to do the same.
Your arguing perspectives. Yours is just one of many. One could easily see something entirely different. I don't think the gay pride parade is politcal at all. I do believe that others have made it political.
 @DeadRabitz Veterans Day, July 4th, and Memorial Day are national holidays that represent the entire country, our freedom, and our military veterans. They have no agenda behind them, there are no politics behind them, they simply exist to honor our troops and our country. A gay pride parade is politically motivated, and it represents an agenda that the country is deeply divided on. It is not something the military should be involved with at all. The military has to remain neutral when it comes to politics and agendas.
@glamdring2012 @whoareyou This is why they went to the pentagon for approval. This is not something they did on their own.
@whoareyou That is why they went all they way to the pentagon for approval. No one has a problem with service members in uniform for veterans day, memorial day, July 4th and I am pretty sure a few more. The overall message for those days in well known however others could take it differently. Perhaps they might see it as the military supporting the current president and his bid for reelection? I understand your rationelle however you are putting the cart before the horse.
 @whoareyou  @DeadRabitz If service men and women were to march in a "pro life" parade while wearing their uniforms...the liberal media would go into an absolute frenzy, and the ACLU would sue.
They are gay. they get all the speacial treatment. I think they should make a law where you have to be gay to serve. evrything should be all gay right?