In October 2006, McCain said this:
[T]he day that the leadership of the military comes to me and says, Senator, we ought to change the policy, then I think we ought to consider seriously changing it because those leaders in the military are the ones we give the responsibility to.Now, it's a different story. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates supports making the change, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen -- the ultimate military authority -- has gone even further and made a heartfelt declaration that it should be changed, that it is a matter of integrity, and that gay service men and women should not be forced to lie about who they are.
So now, in opposing the change and not listening to the military leaders, John McCain refers to a letter signed by "over a thousand retired and flag general officers" opposing it. However, a Servicemembers United report severely undermines the credibility or relevance of this letter.
The average age of the signers is 74, one being 98. Several have died since the letter was signed. Another was already dead when it was first published. His wife signed it after he was already dead (using her power of attorney); the general in question had Alzheimer's and had been unable to communicate for six years prior to his death.
That is one of the military leaders John McCain thinks we should listen to??? Instead of the current, very alive and engaged Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff??? This is a no-brainer -- and I'm even more convinced that John McCain doesn't have a very well-functioning brain himself.
Ralph
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