Sheehan Admits Claim that Gay Soldiers Contributed to Srebrenica Massacre was 'Inaccu

[FalconAngel]

He finally shows a little of the integrity that a General Officer is supposed to show, after saying so many stupid things.

http://www.care2.com/causes/civil-rights/blog/sheehan-apologizes-for-inaccurate-testimony-on-role-of-gay-soldiers-in-srebrenica-massacre/

Sadly, it is too little, too late and not to all of the people that it should be.

[12voltman59]

The testimony of this former general goes to show the batshitcrazy things that get said about "the others"--no matter from the source or target----it was really crazy that he made the leap that the events that transpired were the result of the Dutch military having gay people serving--it did seem that just generally--the Dutch military fucked up that particular situation based on what was in the article and that can happen with any military service---- its not like our own military has not fucked up more than once with it obstensibly not having any gays in it--I guess that maybe we shouldn't have a military with straights in and leading it for all their "cluster fucks" (as we used to say in the service) like Vietnam and such!!

[innaminka]

You should read the actual facts of Srebrenica.
The Dutch were on a hiding to nothing.
Not only were their R.O.E. totally inhibiting, but the people who did it (Bosnian Serbs - not Serbian army) had armour and very good artillery, plus a massive superiority in numbers. (this is a chick, moi, who is an avid military history reader!)

The Dutch contingent could have been composed completely of Testoterone riddled rambo/type str8's: - the result would have been the same.

Its just a shame that the US is so divided over issues like this: where a man's whole persona is dominated by a prejudice.

[dafydd]

But US soldiers already serve side by side with openly gay British soldiers in Iraq. Has this compromised operational effectiveness there?
Isn't that evidence for having an inclusive Armed Forces?

d

[12voltman59]

But US soldiers already serve side by side with openly gay British soldiers in Iraq. Has this compromised operational effectiveness there?
Isn't that evidence for having an inclusive Armed Forces?

d

Well US soliders, sailors, marines, airman, Coasties, national guard and reserve members already serve along with scores of "gay" comrades----and they all get along fine and get the job done---the only problem comes when someone "outs" the gay person and the command has had to boot them--oftentimes booting them from service "in theater"----how does that loss of a respected and valued member of the team thanks to this unwise policy affect unit profiency and cohesion in a combat area????

[FalconAngel]

You should read the actual facts of Srebrenica.
The Dutch were on a hiding to nothing.
Not only were their R.O.E. totally inhibiting, but the people who did it (Bosnian Serbs - not Serbian army) had armour and very good artillery, plus a massive superiority in numbers. (this is a chick, moi, who is an avid military history reader!)

The Dutch contingent could have been composed completely of Testoterone riddled rambo/type str8's: - the result would have been the same.

Its just a shame that the US is so divided over issues like this: where a man's whole persona is dominated by a prejudice.

One would think that a general officer and West Point grad would know better than to ignore those facts, but when they start caring about their own personal politics and agenda, facts go south.

He's been in long enough to remember that lesson from Vietnam and how politicking played a huge role in the misinformation sent to the Pentagon.

But I guess his agenda is more important to him than the proper operation of the military that he spent his whole life serving in.

[FalconAngel]

But US soldiers already serve side by side with openly gay British soldiers in Iraq. Has this compromised operational effectiveness there?
Isn't that evidence for having an inclusive Armed Forces?

d

Just a theory, but the US looks at it like "but they are their gays, not ours, so it's their problem, not ours"

Not a necessarily wise attitude to take, but it absolves our military leadership from doing anything politically suicidal, at least among the General grade officers.