This Pace guy fits in perfectly with the Republican administration in the Whitehouse.

"I regret my remarks but I won't apologize for them" ??

Kind of sounds like it comes straight out of the KKKarl Rove playbook.

It's too bad that in this year of 2007 that there are still people with dark age mentality and in positions of power yet.

I served in the military in Korea and knew of many people of same sex orientation but they fought and were killed or injured right along with all the others.

I feel sad for our country where such demi-gods feel it is their obligation to put down every person they do no approve of.

Sadly,

Dan Tilley
Fairfield, California

Just like Sen. George Allen, he regrets cameras and reporters heard him voice his intolerance, but he's not sorry he said it in the first place.

Having confessed his bigotry, Pace must go. We can't have a guy leading armed services personnel who does not understand what it is we should be asking them to fight for. Fight to the death for my right AND your right to pursue happiness.

I sure as hell would not want this guy leading if I were gay or if my kid was.

I commend General Pace for being open & honest about his personal views in this age of "political correctness" which threatens to destroy honesty and frankness altogether.

Do those that condemn him think that murder is morally wrong? Well, the same Bible that condemns murder also condemns homosexuality. He's simply quoting from the most reputable source on morality the world has ever known, and I respect him for it.

Why should he have to apologize? He is entitled to his opinion, regardless of its popularity or even if it is right. He has the constitutional right to express himself. Remember that pesky first amendment -freedom of speech -

I feel that too many people are concerned with offending someone. Maybe we all need a little thicker skin. Here is a man ready to stand up for what he believes, based on his upbringing, and defend himself. I wish more people could be this way.

I don't agree with his opinion but I'm a strong enough person to be able to listen to someone else's views and form my own thoughts.

Don't ask / Don't tell is fair enough. It lets gays in the military & puts them out there same as the others. If they don't perform & risk their squad, the squad can solve the problem: 'friendly-fire'

It is clear, an appointed military leader can denounce it's very own armed forces soldiers by making a damaging public statement, the statement will sizzle across the AP wire for the world to see, yet it will be ignored by our President for the extreme violation that it is.

"Pace's senior staff members said Tuesday that the general was expressing his personal opinion and had no intention of apologizing..."

If you are a public leader, appointed by the President, you cannot have a formal newspaper interview, make a controversial and damaging public statement about current policy that is law and then hide behind the 'it's my own personal opinion...' excuse. This guy is not only an embarrassment to our country he is a coward.

I tell you one thing, you know who will be responsible for Gay bashing in the military from here on out, the President, he will continue to look the other way while behind closed doors he will continue to cheer on his personally appointed Gay bashers.

Valerie Breen
Seattle, Washington

I agree with Gen.Pace. I see no need for him to apologize for anything. That is why America is a FREE country to say what is on your mind. If it offended someone, well, the truth hurts sometimes, 'eh?

How can you propogate when you are of the same sex? Not happening...EVER!

I find it refreshing someone stands up for what he belives in and wont back down.
Why is it when the people who find being a homosexual is very much against everything they believe in, they are considerd " closed minded "
What is this world comming to ?

DW

Ken,

Your message is frightening and all the more reason to condemn the General's comments. Don't Ask, Don't Tell places a burden of secrecy upon gays and lesbians that is not placed upon heterosexuals. Further, the question of morality is interesting. It would appear that the old addage - as long as you do what I do - you are moral, otherwise you are immoral holds true for some.

Finally, the suggestion that "friendly-fire" is acceptable in ANY way is sick and, yes, IMMORAL. Go to church and pray for forgiveness.

Joshua, not everyone believes is the same level of credibility in the morality sources that you do. And Lynne, I do not think the issue is how you feel about the guy who is not your boss running his mouth. It is how the gays who work for him (or who will now not enlist to avoid him) feel about reporting to a guy with the bad judgement to advertise that he believes that people who think differently from him are immoral.

It was Martin Luther who said, "In the bowels of Christ I beseech you, think it possible that you might be mistaken'

General Pace should not apologize. He is expressing his point of view and he has the right to do so.

As a former Marine I can say that no one would dare come out to their fellow soldiers. Lets just say that it is not an enviornment condusive to a homosexual lifestyle. I am not saying that it is right, I am just telling you how it is.

Josh: "Bible"?
If I accept the "Bible" as being the moral authority, then....
I agree it condemns Homosexuality and Murder.
Which begs the question: why do we "Murder" Iraqi's every day?
None of the 9/11 attackers were from Iraq. They were from Saudi and Egypt...our allies.
Shouldn't we be consistent? Why make an acception for the taking of life...but not make an acception for two people of the same sex who wish to be together?
Heck, if we are gonna be inconsistent, I'd prefer we err on the side of the non-killing act.
But then, I prefer not to get my moral code from 3000+ year old myth systems.
If the creator really cares about which food is on my plate, how the blood got drained from my meat, if I eat meat on selected Fridays in late Winter/Early spring...he/she really needs to get a hobby.

That a girl Anita. It feels good to hear someone like you speak up. It is so refreshing to find some one who only jumps on somebody else's bones for procreation. None of that "because it feels good" or that "to express emotions like love" for you. No, no, not birth control.

You tell em kid.
Don't wait for my call to ask you out.

There is absolutely not a reason why Gen. Pace should apologize for speaking his mind.

I would go one step further with regard to gays; in my mind, they are not immoral but rather amoral. There is no place in society (other than their own) for gays to reside.

The Wingnut Evangelical Republicans on this site who are defending what Pace said are the same crowd that believes Ann Coultergeist is the best comedian on earth because she hates what they hate.....it's so very "Christian" of them to be so bigoted isn't it???

Correct me if I'm wrong, but freedom of speech is a right of every american, true?

Valarie,
"It is clear, an appointed military leader can denounce it's very own armed forces soldiers by making a damaging public statement, the statement will sizzle across the AP wire for the world to see, yet it will be ignored by our President for the extreme violation that it is."

You have judged the opinion of another! You have condemned a person for what they said. You have done exactly what the General has done. Hipocrisy stings doesn't it.

tom,
"Having confessed his bigotry, Pace must go. We can't have a guy leading armed services personnel who does not understand what it is we should be asking them to fight for. Fight to the death for my right AND your right to pursue happiness."

Who are you to decide who stays or goes? Is your past void of ANYTHING that another may find distasteful or wrong? Have you lived a chaste life without the slightest bit of that which may be judged by others? IS your life free of any thought that any other may find bigoted. Let me answer for you, NO.

If a person stating his opinin abut a general topic is wrong, than our entire syste of government is a piece of crap.
Now, if he had singled someone out, said that homosexuality is "disgusting"; or "all gay men are week, impotent etc"., you would have reason to say he must go. However, everyone on this blog who has been critical/hateful whatever about his comments has done the EXACT SAME THING HE HAS DONE. YOU STATED AN OPINION. AND AS THE RESPONSES HAVE SHOWN, PEOPLE ARE STATING THEIR OPINIONS ABOUT YOUR COMMENTS. ARE THEY BIGOTS? MUST THEY GO?
The only thing worse than bigotry is hypocritical bigitry. Remember that the next time you fell you have the RIGHT TO PASS JUDGEMENT!!!!

You gay haters forget that one of our greatest presidents, Lincoln, was quite gay and thus "immoral" . http://hnn.us/articles/96.html

You hate Honest Abe now too?

I wonder what this character Pace thinks about Dick Cheney's lesbian daughter.

How refreshingly encouraging. A military officer with the courage of his convictions not afraid to use homosexuality and morality in the same sentence. May his tribe increase. No apology required.

He is entitled to have a view that is not politically correct.

We need to be tolerant of all opinions and of all lifestyle choices.
Being homosexual is not a sickness any more than General Pace believing homosexuality is morally wrong makes him sick. I disagree with General Pace's opinion, and felt his apology directed itself towards the inappropriate nature of his comment. His personal opinion is not germane and he said as much in his apology. Do we now force the General to state or hold a varying view that what he was taught (right or wrong) by his parents when he was growing up?
All adult human beings should understand that personal opinions between different individuals can cause disagreement. All parties cited in this article should be mature enough to understand this fact.
But that's not what happens here. One side says the other is morally bankrupt, and the other side says that their first amendment rights are being usurped. Seems to me like both sides are pretty much morally bankrupt when it comes to the first amendment. The religious right wants us to believe homosexuality is a severe sickness. The homosexual community wants to ban and limit a person simply being able to state they prefer not to be around gay people or that they feel a gay lifestyle is immoral.
If I didn't know any better, the homosexual responders cited in this article are beginning to sound like Ralph Reed regarding the freedom of speech. It's just the other side of a very scary coin. Yet the resulting attempt to limit speech is identical.

There seems to be some confusion here about the difference between the right to free speech and the right to say whatever you want without having to deal with the consequences. Here's a hint: one of those rights is totally nonexistent!

I've worked with gay people, and if I said something at my workplace similar to what Pace said, I would probably be taken to task for making my gay coworkers feel unwelcome and discriminated against. This is not "political correctness," it's just common decency.

And all you folks who are shocked and appalled that it's no longer acceptable to publicly rip on gays, sorry that the tide of history is turning against you. That must suck for you.

tom s again. I am properly chastened by Rob S and have seen the error of my ways. So the next time I am Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, if I bad mouth the gays, or blacks, or women or big mouth critics when I am in front of the Tribune's Editorial Board -- FIRE ME.

OK Rob, not hypocritical now?
BTW, I recommend that you try spell checker.

I find it ironic that everyone is quoting the Bible, while the majority of the coutry accepts this as gospel, the Bible was not written by God, it was written by man. Trust me, men are wrong all the time.

Pace is lucky that he's a bigot otherwise the Evangelical crowd would have to send him to "gay rehab" along with Ted Haggard and Mark Foley.

Yikes, some of you sound like the thought police. So are we saying person can't have a personal opinion on a controversial subject? Because I thought that was what this country is about, the rights of the individual. One of those rights of every person is freedom of speech. Regardless of if you agree with him or not, he should not have to apologize simply because the sentiment he expressed is not agreed with. It also has nothing whatsoever to do with being capable of doing his job or defending the country. And since when does disgreement with someone or something = hate?

General Peter Pace have all the rights to say what he believe in. He stated an opinion. All the responses are also stating their opinions. What is the difference. Everyone is free to give their personal opinion. If you want to be respect by others you should respect them first.

While it is true that Gen. Pace has every right to have his own opinions, this issue is beyond his personal rights. As the Chariman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff it is not his right to express his personal opinions in a public interview. As a leader it is his job to support all of the troops no matter what his personal feelings might be. Would people be as accepting if he said that women or African Americans have no place in the military. I would think not as homosexuality is one of the few government sanctioned bigotries left.

Absolutely no apology required. Just a little clarification:

http://hocestenimcorpusmeum.blogspot.com/2007/03/general-clarification-from-mystical.html

THANK YOU!!! GENERAL PACE!!! I am sure that your empty headed critics do not take seriously Ben Laden's "affeminate americans", view of us. Be assurred that homosexuality is one of the major reasons they hate us & want to destroy us. Our immorality, and in great part homosexuality, is responsible for that hatred. The homosexual mafia,and their partners in the press and entertainment have created the fear to speak the truth. THERE IS NO PLACE FOR HOMOSEXUALITY IN THE MILITARY SERVICES!!!

Gays immoral? Like adulterors? So adulterors shouldn't serve in the military either, or in politics? Narrows the field somewhat doesn't it. So if gays are immoral like adulterors, why aren't you fighting to change your Constitution to exclude adulterors? Oh right, hypocricy! And didn't I read that there's some astonishing # of gays in the American military, like 65,000? So you'll let us die while protecting your freedom, but you won't let us marry? Oh right, hypocricy.

How nice to see all the homophobes wrapping their bigotry in the First Amendment. Wonder if they would be defending the general's right to free speech if he had professed to believing that African Americans are inferior or that fundamentalist christians were morons.

Morality is a PERSONAL code of conduct. I find homophobia and all other forms of prejudice to be immoral. Does that mean that I should be trying to deny Pace's right to be in the military?

Quite frankly, I find it ridiculous that the military is kicking out qualified personnel for being gay (which is quite legal) and yet granting wavers to allow convicted criminals to enlist. Oh yeah, the military is really concerned about "morals"!

Well I read some of your comments concerning Gen. pace & I really feel sorry for those of you that don't have the backbone to stand up for what is right! Why in this day & time is it so wrong to say something is immoral?? Of course it is immoral for a man to sleep with another man! or a women to sleep with another women! It is about time that our high ranking officials ignore what the media always does to those who stand up for what is right! we don't care what you say about us! standing up for what is right & moral in our country is our GOD given right! So go ahead make your sly comments & say what you will. Yea I know this one will not make it past your review, but hey we should all have the opportunity to say what is on our hearts!

Bryan Heim

Isn't it a shame that a military general finds himself stuck believing everything that he had "grown up with." Learning is a life-long process based on soul-searching and expanding one's attitudes through contact with others.

Boo Hoo, I am sensitive to gay and lesbian comments! I am so sick and tired of hearing about the sensitivity of gay and lesbians and those from the ACLU! You are all are making the U.S. so weak, it isn't even funny. If you don't want to learn English, leave the country? If you want to come here illegally, you get what you deserve. There is a process to become a citizen. My ancestors went through it, so can you! If you want to demonstrate because you feel the way you are being treated is unfair, that is all on you. Your choice to fly a Mexican flag or whatever other flag other than American, get over it. You were dumb enough to display the wrong loyalty there while petitioning to stay in American, you fly an American flag. You don't like seeing a cross being displaying in public, get over it. What happened to the freedom to display an American Flag on your own property that you pay for with you own hard earned cash, and displaying it for Americans to see? Wow, that is a new one on me. Who in AMERICA would get offended by displaying an AMERICAN flag. This is just out of this world. Sensitive new age America, got to love it!

Ok. so let me get this straight. Immoral people, adulterers and homosexuals can say whatever they want and Christians, who believe what God says in His word, do not have freedom of speech to say what they believe. Now who exactly is intolerant?

Hats off to the General. I know whats in his mind. No lies being told. So refreshing.

General Pace should stick by his comments. The Gays are perverts and don't have any moral standards.

"My upbringing is such that I believe there are certain things, certain types of conduct that are immoral...I believe that military members who sleep with other military members' wives are immoral in their conduct, in that we should not tolerate that. I believe that homosexual acts between individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts."
~ Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace

Uhh...yes. I see. He is certainly entitled to his opinion...BUT, THIS from a man who is in charge of an organization that is specifically designed and tasked with killing human beings? I do believe "Thou shalt not kill" is stated in the bible WITHOUT asterisks or caveats. I mean, come on! Give me a break!

Also, does the good General also believe it is immoral to have heterosexual sex outside of marriage? If so, then do we begin discharging troops because they engage in heterosexual sex outside of marriage?

"Morality was never the basis of the policy, it was about unit cohesion." ~ General Jack Keane (retired)

How can you propogate when you are of the same sex? Not happening...EVER!
Posted by: Anita | Mar 13, 2007 1:43:01 PM

Anita,

What do you say to people who can't get pregnant without medical help, via in vitro or fertilization pills. By your "let it be" standard, if someone can't naturally become pregnant then it simply isn't meant to be. Please explain yourself.

Because that is how "gays" propogate. Women are fertilzed (my friends are actually planning on taking turns with their pregnancys) and men can find a surrogate mother. And then there is, of course, adoption. So many children in this world need decent, loving parents.

So if you think that gays can't have children because they "can't proprogate," then you must think the same of every couple, heterosexual or not.

Thank yo General Pace, for having the guts to stand up for what you believe.

Too many people are worried that they will offend, and they let their beliefs be molded by popular culture.

As to a previous post about the Bible being a myth....then why, when doing research to try to disprove it, do the researchers end up realizing it is the truth and becoming believer? Try reading the New Testment sometime, until then I will pray for understanding and grace for you as well as for those who don't believe or understand it yet.

This country was founded on Christian principles, only when we got too concerened with politcal correctness, and decided that no state sponsered religion really meant no religion at all have we gotten away from those principles. Once we got away from Christian principles things have gone downhill....crime is higher, poverty higher, everything that Christians try to prevent and stand against and provide aid for, has increased....

You want to see real Christianity in action, look to Hurricane Katrina...when it happend who were the first on the scene to give aid, the churches. Who is STILL there helping people every day, the churches!! The governement couldn't get into town for over four days, but the churches and the reporters could.

Homosexuality is a sin, plain and simple. So is murder. What more do you want? I don't judge, I pray every night for those who are under the devils grip, practicing a homosexual lifestyle that they may see the truth, the same as I pray for umarried family members, anyone I know. I won't say you are wrong, but I will tell you where there are answers to your questions and I will pray for you.

So what. He spoke his mind. Not everyone practices tolerance. Not everyone has to agree with your lifestyle. In this case, he doesn't agree. So what. It's his god-given and - if you don't like that - his constitutional right.

Lay off him and anyone else who has a problems with gays and lesbians. They have as much a right to advance their agenda as the gays and lesbians themselves.

Don't be a hipocrit.

What violation of Freedom of Speech did he violate? He stated his opinion that was not in line with the military, yet, his freedom of speech to comment on this is supposed to be suppressed? Again, get over it!

I'm on Gen-Peter Pace's Side. The Heck With all of them!

It is not about his freedom to speak. it is the fact that he is in a position of influence and power--it's about where he's speaking from and who/what he represents, and whether he should impose his views on his position.

Bill - former Marine, while I respect your opinion, being homosexual isnt a lifestyle. Robyn Leach doesnt show up at your door to a TV show. I too knew several Marines who were gay and they didnt say anything until after they completed their tours. Bottom line is that they put their lives on the line just like to hetro boys and girls.

Christians don't hate homosexuals, we simply disapprove of the act of same sex coitus.

If homosexuality is so wonderful why don't homosexuals come right out and call it what it is, rather than hide behind the label, "gay"?

The First Amendment is all good in its own place but we all know it doesn't really work in this hypocritical world. Hence, I think it's better to adapt - a person holding a position of leadership ought to be smart enough to know that while he's speaking out to the media, he should maybe weigh his words and specifically, filter out thoughts that he's shared at the weekly meeting of "Evangelists Anonymous" or "The Stone Age Resurrection Cult".

Secondly, I think one couldn't care less as to what Pace personally feels about homosexuality and the moral issues associated with it. But isn't it simply illogical to see two irrelevant things, personal framework of morals and one's ability to serve in the military, in the same light?

I agree with pete pace regarding homo's being immoral. the only one's that disagree are homo's themselves and a small group of homo supporters. furthermore, as a former enlisted us marine and viet name vet, we had a couple homos and they didn't fit well, but then again neither did girls who couldn't carry a 50 caliber on their shoulder and run. my question to homos is why do they want us to accept their lifestyle when its "immoral to us"?

Applaud Gen. Pace for being honest. Speaks like a true warrior, he calls it as he sees it.

Dean Wareh, maybe it has to do with the imaginary man Christians believe in, who tells them what to do because he wrote a book (okay, he dictated it through ghost-writers) a couple thousand years ago, give or take a few centuries, saying that whatever he said in that book was absolutely true and must not be questioned.

So, wingnuts, hold onto your seats. I'm a liberal, gay man -- and I say Gen. Pace has every right to speak his mind. I happen to think he's wrong, but I don't have a problem with him speaking out. And those who've expressed their dislike here for gays have every right to do so, too. I just hope that their only sons turn out to be drag queens.

Interesting thought for you to chew on -- most men who express homophobia are doing so because of conflicts with their own sexual identity issues.

I fully support Pace's right to express his views. Those views disqualify him for a position of leaderhsip.

Pace must go.

"Moral courage is the most valuable and usually the most absent characteristic in men."

"Say what you mean and mean what you say."

General George S. Patton, Jr.

Our Greatest Generals usualy have to put up with some kind of political crap from within, when their job is to defeat the enemy! God Bless General Pace. DO NOT BACK DOWN!

General Patton would understand...opening your mouth when you need to!!!!!!

I agree with General Pace. I served for 26 years in the military and I believe we earned the right to express our personal opinions.

Why didn't he just call them 'Faggots' al la Coulter?

The General has expressed his opinion that homosexual ACTS are immoral. His remarks are not against homosexual persons. We may believe what one wishes to believe. Public opinion or those who would judge these comments to be wrong have only their own conscious to contend with. If it is immoral then God will determine one's eternity. If you believe it is not immoral then why indulge in such a debate.

I believe it is immoral and would urge your prayers to help those who indulge in these practices

We are walking down a slippery slope in this country. Our bigoted intolerance (as a nation) shows when we call anyone intolerant who does not agree with our (or at least the most popular) point of view. From the issues of gays in the military or global warming or anything in between, someone that expresses an unpopular point of view is taken to task for intolerance, being a bigot, etc. It amazes me that those who claim the high ground of tolerance show amazing intolerance to those with whom they disagree. And by the way, I have known homosexuals that have high morals, homosexuals that have low morals. The truth is, we all have areas in our lives that fall short somewhere. It is time in this country to quit the name calling (from both the political left and the right) and work on understanding and respecting each other. Yes, I am intolerant at times. But I am mostly intolerant towards those who claim to be tolerant but are not.

As a former gay person,I'm appalled at the comments directed towards Mary Cheney.I do not beleive she is immoral,just her father.

As for my coming out,let me explain.I once dated Ann Coulter,and soon came to realize i was much better off being gay.Then,i met Jenna Bush at one of those jello shot parties and she flipped me back to being straight.My fear is her new book is a tell all.

I think it is wrong for Senators to offer the support of their office to homophiles unless they are willing to do so for other groups of Americans that the majority of us find to be perverted immoral. What about pedophiles for instance? After all, both groups were born with the disease, crossed wires in the brain, so-to-speak, and neither one of them can help their feelings or the behavior they act out when they get their "feelings".

John B

Someone tell me the difference between Christian extremists thumping their Bibles at homosexuals and Muslim extremists thumping their Korans towards Americans.

Please. I really want to know what the difference is there.

Ultimately, among a list of very complex criteria that defines one as a homosexual, is the compulsion to copulate into the rectums of other men.

And since the seventies, those folks have tried (fairly successfully) to intimidate the remainder of society into defining this behavior as an "acceptable alternative" of some kind.

If any one of us found it distasteful or disgusting, and we commented as such, we were labeled as "homophobic."

But, the reality to most of us is that there are natural, physical "entrances" and "exits." This is common sense to most of us. And most of us would be disgusted to play in sewers.

I say, let them do what they want, it's a free country in that respect. But certainly, let's not elevate them into some kind of "protected"
class of people that becomes offended when we exercise out first amendment right to express our disgust. And our right to be offended by this.

As for me, I'm not homophobic. I'm homodisgustic. And that suits me just fine.

Well, I guess once they have stamped out homosexuality, and adultery, the armed forces will then attempt to bar anyone who has had premarital sex, right? After all, the most important thing is not whether someone is well trained, supports his or her fellow service members or is willing to fight and die for the country, but whether or not they are a virgin and therefore 'moral', right?

Sorry about the sarcasm, but I don't see why gay sex outside of marriage is supposed to be a worse sin than straight sex outside of marriage - they both have the exact same Biblical penalty -- but then of course so does being the victim of rape or incest.

Okay, seriously though everyone... here is what should frighten us all is the fact that 54 Arabic linguists were let go as a result of "don't ask don't tell" policy.

Now. Hmmm, and maybe some anti-gay people can help me out on this one... the military is seriously short on Arabic linguists and see, well given we are in this big war... oh wait, two wars, wouldn't it be wise to have people who, oh I don't know, speak the language?

As for Pace, whatever, I couldn't care less about his opinion. I don't, however, think it's appropriate for him to speak out when it does nothing but cause havoc. What worries me is the fact that people's personal views, be what they may, are barring our military from working as seamlessly as possible when we most need people like, say, 54 ARABIC LINGUISTS!!!!

From my standpoint, you can't be anti-terrorists and anti-gay at the same time. Guess what, and this may be a gay stereotype so those gays who are reading this, please forgive me... but gays are really freaking intelligent, and if there are 54 of them who are fluent in Arabic and willing to work in the military then I say perfect!

Leviticus 18:22 – “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.” (NIV)

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 – “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (NIV)

It is a “Choice”

As Americans we all (currently) have the right to say what we believe. So why should he apologize? Do those who think it is okay to live that lifestyle apologize for their belief? No they don't and it is good to stand up for what one believes in. This is what makes our nation great. He did not spout hate; he just voiced a point of view. Just by being an American he should be entitled to that. And if it is the policy of our military he must enforce it until it is changed. My God people, stop being so emotional over every person who does not seem politically correct. GET A LIFE

If the Pace-bashers can voice their opinions on having him removed as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or on what a "demi-god" he is, or that he belongs to the "KKK Rove" sect, why can't he voice his personal opinion on gays, or anything else, for that matter? He simply voiced his own personal opinion that to him, the sexual preference of gays is immoral; he didn't say they should be drawn and quartered; and who's to say his opinion is correct or incorrect? We really don't know, do we?

Tom S,

I appreciate you showing respect for my opinion, although not agreeing with it. Your responses give me hope that some people can appreciate openness & honesty without rushing to pounce and yell "bigot"! This is a free country, with free speech as many have said.

The irony is not lost on me that I'm being treated by many in this thread exactly the same way as General Pace for saying I appreciate his honesty. I'll refrain from rising to the "bait" many have left, or going off topic about God, the Old Testament, or the various other topics mentioned.

I reiterate my support for General Pace as he's not afraid to stand for his personal beliefs, and be honest, open and transparent. Will we all agree? No, but that's what's great about America.

God bless.

I agree with General Pace and Almighty God. They both state that homosexuality is immoral. God also states that it is "detestable" (Leviticus 18:22); so who am I or you to argue with Almighty God? You can argue with Him all you want to, but I happen to know that He has access to things such as lightening bolts, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, aids, and things like that (more important, He also holds the keys to Heaven and hell); so I just thank Jesus for dying for me to save me, and I try my best to please Him by obeying Him. As He said in John 14:15, "If you love me you will obey me." Guess
what, folks, the General was right, Almighty God is right, and I urge everyone else to side with God; because the alternative (lifestyle) leads to eternal hell...forever-- whether you die fighting for your country or any other way.

Well let's review history and Jehovah's opinion stated in the Bible. Sodom and Gomorrah, Bablyon led the same lifestyles as today. Also the Bible says Babylon the Great will be destroyed. Daniel 2:44 says a theocratic government will be put in place. All violence and gay lifestyles will no longer exist. It's here again and the Bible says Jehovah does not change or lie.......Get ready for it.

I am a gay man. I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I have my own ideas/thoughts on many things in this world. Some of which I am sure would tick a lot of folks (gay or straight) off. These opinions are mine and no one can tell me I am incorrect.

I would not expect anyone to apologize for stating their mind. Only when things are said in spite and could cause direct harm to others is when we should be concerned. We have become too 'apologetic' in this country.

I've always thought that the genus homo was pretty immoral.

tom s again. I am properly chastened by Rob S and have seen the error of my ways. So the next time I am Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, if I bad mouth the gays, or blacks, or women or big mouth critics when I am in front of the Tribune's Editorial Board -- FIRE ME.

OK Rob, not hypocritical now?
BTW, I recommend that you try spell checker.

Posted by: tom s | Mar 13, 2007 2:14:23 PM

I think you need to learn the difference between "bad mouthing" and "opinion". As I stated previously, but will repeat for clarity "Now, if he had singled someone out someone, said that homosexuality is "disgusting"; or "all gay men are week, impotent etc"., you would have reason to say he must go." These statements define "bad mouthing" He did not single out a specific person! HE did NOT make derrogatory statements such as my examples above. He stated how he felt. Everyone has this right from the Chairman of the Joint Cheif's down to the homeless guy on 87th & Stoney Island. If stating your opinion as the General did is "bad mounthing", then everybody on this blog is bad mouthing, ESPECIALLY YOU! Heck, tom s, you spoke your mind, gave an opinion, and I am not codemning you for doing so. I am pointing out however that you have put the wrong definitions about comments.
BY the by, when you state an opinion, then follow it up with a lame (my opinion mind you) statement about "spell check", you show your true colors. A person truely stating their opinion does not need to hide behind childish jabs. So, think about that next time you opine!
But to address your statement, my lowly old unit will not spell check blogs. So my frailties show through, as do yours.

What's happened to this country whereby a person cannot express his/her sentiments or opinions on any given subject without the vocal minority marshalling their forces to condemn those opinions?

General Pace is an honorable man, raised in a strong family with moral principles and his thoughts are shared by the overwhelming majority of Americans, the problem being is that most do not want to get into the fray for fear of being homophobic or gay bashers by the extremists who have emanated from the Hippie era and "do your own thing" culture!

I have read so much of these comments that I have to make one myself. While I don't agree, nor will I ever, with the General's opinion, I do applaud him for not apologizing. The fact of the matter is that it seems to depend on your party affiliation and who made a statement as to how you react, and I'm tired of it!

I applaud anyone who stands up for what they believe in. He is a General in our Military, he doesn't have to agree with the laws, he simply must uphold them and defend them... often in the name of freedom, and I hold my freedom of speech very dear! I cannot condemn a man/woman for their opinion unless I too want to be condemned!

I uphold General Pace he has the right to his opinion and beliefs as do any person in this world. He also has a right to push for moral standards and uphold them as a leader. These people are not married people and they will never be in sight of the law or God I don't care how they try and play with God and man's law. Political correctness I've had enough why is it the first thing they mention we straight people don't start out saying, we're straight here is my qualifications for this job. So What! It has all to do with job performance and abilities. If a straight person comments adultry, they're out so same rules apply just do your job, do it well, serve your country and leave the personal and private avenues of your life just that, private.

It is so tiring to hear people condem homosexuality by saying it's written in the bible. That same book also says slavery is fine (Which the bigots in the south used to validate they're hatred of blacks) and that it's ok for a man to stone his wife. Great book to quote. Why is it christians are always the least "christian"?

Let me first state I probably don't know what I am talking about, but I will comment because as all of you who don't know what you are talking about, I feel compelled to.

With that said, this comment was spoken by General Pace, not Mr. Pace. 1st Amendment is for citizens in a public forum to my understanding. When General Pace speaks as General Pace, he is an employee of the Military, at work for the military. 1st Amendment does not protect employers from discrimination and harassment towards its employees. Just like if I had a cute girl working for me(or cute guy), I can't go up to her (him) and say, "Hey, you have sexy. . ."

What General Pace said, and I reiterate, General, was discrimination towards a significant portion of the population who works for him. He should step down, the military should be sued.

No reason he should apologize. Why do gays in powerful postions have the right and assumed power to voice their positions openly, and properly aligned "straight" people have to hide and remain silent. That's BS!

Why do Straight Gender people have to tip toe by the Gays and ignore the 93% that aren't confused by their gender purpose. Being straight should be applauded and recognized proportional to our majority position.

I applaud Gen. Paces toughness, his representing of me, and representing mainstream America!

Dear Gay People,please keep your gay life style to yourself.You can't change what we believe in.We don't want to please you,we want to please our GOD.

I made a comment already,but I forgot to mention it's a little one side at the end of this article on comcasts website they have a link to service mens legal defense so I clicked on it and it was completely lobbing for gay rights against the government, military,etc total activisim. If you are going to post that sight you should also post a link for those who agree with military and government stand or it looks like your taking a side.

Take the sheet off your face folks..............It's a brand new day !

Thank God that we have this solid American spirit that was very strong when I was in WW II in the Marines. I was a Queens kid and we had the same beliefs and Bible truths. SEMPER FI.

Homosexuality is immoral? To quote Bill Hicks:

"AREN'T YOU HIRED KILLERS????"

The man is more than welcome to have his own opinion about gays, and I'd even go so far as to say that he can express that opinion anywhere he pleases, provided he's not currently acting in an official capacity as a member of our governement at the time!! I know if my boss made a big stink about gays working for him, he'd be out the door before he had time to blink, and I just bet you all could say the same.

Oh, and MM? It may be a stereotype, but I'll take it :)

Hello, If you read the Holy Bible which is God's Holy Word he condemns homosexuality and any sexual sin outside of marriage, between one man and one woman is sin God created Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve. When you come against someone that is standing up for God you are coming against God Almighty. God is the creator and giver of life and sexual sin hurts man in many ways. God loves the sinner but hates the sin. God is so Good he knows what is the best for us. Homosexuality, Adultery and premarital sex are all sin. Period.... God said it. Jesus Christ is Lord and he is coming back soon. The signs of the times and prophecies being fulfilled prove it such as this persecution. No man knows the day nor hour but he is coming and every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father. God loves us all but we must all come through the same door and that is Jesus Christ and him crucified risen and living on the right hand of God the Father. God loves the homosexual just as he does all of us but hates the sin that separates us from God he wants a personal relationship with us each one individually.

He's obviously gay, so I feel I should defend him. But I'm not going to.

This one of those very interesting conversations that serves to demonstrate how our society is changing.

Twenty years ago all leaders were saying what Gen. Pace said -- publicly and privately. Now he is being criticized.

It seems that if you really did re-frame this as a workplace argument it would go something like this. The contract betweeen employer and employee is: You do your work, and leave your personal life at home. And so will all of your colleagues. The "don't ask don't tell" policy/law certainly is in line with that.

For years, presumably, Pace has also been doing that...doing his job by honoring "don't ask don't tell" and keeping his personal beliefs to himself.

Then he misstepped by voicing a personal view at the Chicago Tribune. That is pretty clearly a violation of the workplace contract because as a highly-placed representative of the U.S. government his workplace surely extends to the editorial board meeting room.

So, what do you do.

It is a violation of the workplace contract, but Pace (and many members of the armed forces) have been "living" it for a number of years...and going it fairly well.

I suggest we cut him some slack, chalk it up to part of the change process, dust ourselves off and continue developing our society day-by-day, step by misstep.

America is a great place.

Funny how so many people are not aware we even call certain acts of homosexuality sodomy...based totally on the story of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19). God destroyed the entire city because "the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous" (Gen 18:20).

The homosexual people of that city even tried to have sex with God's angels. They would not turn from their wicked ways so God destroyed them with fire and brimstone.

Yes, homosexuality is immoral, just like sex before marriage, murder, lying, stealing, etc.

Wake up people!!!!

There is a lot of misunderstanding towards the Bible. People (both Christian and non-Christian) take verses out of context in order to support or refute their own personal beliefs. One of the most common issues is that people confuse what in Scripture is recorded as descriptive and what is recorded as prescriptive. (This is where many "contradictions" seem to appear. For example, read the last chapter of 1 Samuel and the first chapter of 2 Samuel.)

The Bible records the good, the bad and the ugly about even its own heroes and leaders (study the life of King David.) Slavery is never supported in the Bible BUT it was a reality of the times. And yes, many Christians in the south supported slavery and used a twisted view of Scripture to rationalize it. But please do not confuse the misguided beliefs and orthopraxy of many to state the absolute belief and orthopraxy of the real truth.

Homosexuality is condemned in scripture as immoral. As are many other practices from murder to gossip. The point is that all are immoral. All fall short. The stories and lives examined in the Bible (and in culture and history itself) bear this out. There is NONE (not one) who is righteous. (This to say that homosexuality falls the same as any other immorality. There is no difference in God's eyes.) That is the beauty of Scripture. Although many Christians condemn others, the truth is we are all condemned but ALL (even the homosexual, the murderer and the gossiper) can find grace and restoration through Christ.

I take exception with people like Ann Coulter who states what she does with a very demeaning and angry attitude. But we (I) can never condemn her. I take exception to those who blast Gen Pace for his beliefs, but we (I) can never condemn him.

Scripture is beautiful. We must quit using it to further our own agendas. It was never meant for that. It was meant as a love letter from God and a portal for us to enter into a relationship with Him.

What a crock!! when the witch hunt was on to kick me out of the military for being gay, there was so much heterosexual adultry going on in that post that you wouldnt know whom was married to whom! no one did a damn thing about that! so many gays are serving the country faithfully and admirably and get another kick in the teeth for their efforts.

okay.....let me get this straight (pardon the pun)...it's okay, according to Gen. Pace, to go torture, maim and kill but it is NOT OKAY for someone who just happens to LOVE someone of the same sex to serve in the armed forces for their country???? Hmmmmmm.....priorities, priorities, priorities. I must have missed that part in Patriotism 101, the Constitution, and general knowledge...."You must be straight to serve your country." Nope, checked. NOT THERE!!

All I have to say is suck it up princess....we are all in this world together...got to learn to live and let live, and for GOD's sake, (yes, I invoked the Great Spirit's name! Get over that, too!), quit being so dadgummed judgemental. NONE of us are going to get out of this life alive anyway.....learn to be nice (learned that in Kindergarten!!!) to EVERYONE! Oh yea, and one more thing, in the words of that great philospher THUMPER in the movie Bambi..."If you can't say somethin' nice, don't say nuthin' at all!" There you go!

We need more Generals like Pace to bring this Nation back to its Moral Beginnings

Comments are more interesting than the General's opinion and the resulting furror. Most of them show only different degrees of bigotry and/or a complete ignorance of what the Holy Bible says about homosexuality. Any Christian (and Muslim, for that matter) strongly oppposes such a life style. But, aside from religion, homosexuuality has no logical positive result in God's (or in mother natures's if you are an athiest) plan.
It is only another way to satisfy mankind's lust and should be included as just another pornographic practice. Whether that fact affects a person's ability to to perform military duties has to be determined by the generals.

If God, the one who spoke this world into existence says homosexuality and lesbianism is immoral, then it's immoral! I support Pace, but I regret that he regrets his stance on it being immoral.

Remember God doesn't hate people who have made homosexual choices. He loves the immoral just as the moral. But He does call us to change our immoral ways so we won't spend an eternity in hell.

2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

When you all get a chance...read:
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Leviticus 18:22
Genesis 13:13 (hint sodomy)
Leviticus 20:13
Romans 1:26

If you check history you will find nearly every major governmental system that failed, had rampant homosexual practices. That should make you see that God is real and means what he says.

United States is a government like the rest of the failed ones were. Will the United States fall like Sodom & Gomorrah if it accepts rampant homosexual practices?

It's great to be able to live in a country where all men/women can voice their opinions about these types of subjects - God Bless America. My personal opinion is in line with Gen Pace; however, that does not mean that I HATE all others who think otherwise. To do so would be childish. In fact a lot of my views and opinions are "out of the ordinary" from the mainstream public, but I continue to tolerate their opinions as they do mine. Whatever the circumstances or choices they've made, I wish to thank all those that have fought and continue to fight for this country to give General Pace, Martin Luther King Jr. and all others the right to their express their opinion in public.

I am not a gay basher, but I do not believe that Gen. Pace needs to appolpgize. Living the gay life is a sin and adbomination in the sight for the Lord. You can not change this by legal means. It is set forth by God,s word.
I do not hate the gay person, but I do hate the sin. They seek the Lord and turn from this sin. God loves all but can not tolerate sin.