The 2017 General Political discussion thread, Part 2!

[Dddrees]

In truth, we have no idea if the good folks in the upper levels of the Pentagon knew this was coming down the pike. Just because some mid level functionary didn't know it was coming doesn't mean a thing. Again, if Mattis knew the Pentagon knew.

Yeah, Ok.

Yet chaos still exists.


Hmm, sounds something like, smells something like.....



I know TRUMP!!

 

[Dddrees]

does anyone actually hang out with you in the real world?

Wow!!

Your words yet?

Cute, very cute.

You wouldn't want to apologize would you?

 

[Birds Away]

It's certainly not that big of a leap given the two people we're talking about. Do you really wish to compare who's more professional, Trump vs Mattis? Ok, how about who's the more adult, Mattis vs Trump? Give me a break.

That's not at all what I was referring to. You keep saying that "the Pentagon" was totally surprised by this. All I am saying is that we don't know that.

 

[Birds Away]

Yeah, Ok.

Yet chaos still exists.


Hmm, sounds something like, smells something like.....



I know TRUMP!!

Who said chaos exists? Some reporter types? Please...

 

[hoosierdoc]

What do you do with the existing troops? I think I saw it's around 14,000 soldiers. Do you pensions those out on a career path if they are over say 12 years? And those under some sort of stipend for 3 or 4 years, both groups receiving honorable discharges?

wasn't the policy changed to allow them less than a year ago? How many are in that long?

 

[hoosierdoc]

Wow!!

Your words yet?

Cute, very cute.

You wouldn't want to apologize would you?

for what?

i am done with you. Every time I give you another chance you prove you're a troll

 

[Birds Away]

It might be 4000. It's not like I have really looked all that deep into it. Anyways what do you do with them?

It might be 400 or 40...or less. My feeling is that the Pentagon has handled bigger policy changes in the past and done a pretty decent job of it. Let's see how they do on this one.

 

[2A_Tom]

It might be 4000. It's not like I have really looked all that deep into it. Anyways what do you do with them?

You are not known for posting unsubstabtiated info. I have no idea what the number is, but that seems WAY high to me.

How much does a (?) operation cost? The price of one is too much for me to foot the bill.

 

[spec4]

Those who feed the troll, encourage the troll.

 

[hoosierdoc]

Those who feed the troll, encourage the troll.

the problem is when you take a break for a bit you forget how ridiculous some people are. So much for giving him the benefit of the doubt

 

[Birds Away]

I thought we were just having a conversation. It was almost normal. Oh well, I'm off to read the news while I eat lunch.

 

[Dddrees]

for what?

i am done with you. Every time I give you another chance you prove you're a troll

You can try to rationalize it anyway you wish that won't make that comment go away. Nor will it make it anymore justifiable.

 

[SheepDog4Life]

First, I truly feel for transgender people. I cannot even begin to imagine what they go through.

Generally, they "hate" their identity and are frequently severely depressed requiring heavy medication and/or hormone therapy to gain a something "near normal" outlook on life. And I use "near normal" liberally to mean not in a near constant state of suicidal tendencies.

Without the political ramifications brought due to gender politics, their fitness to serve is very similar, IMO, to bipolar individuals. Depending upon the severity of depression and mood swings, the level of medication needed to approach a normal, healthy outlook on life, it affects their ability (though not their desire) to serve. Both (bipolar and trans) are chronic and severe. This decision has already been made for bipolar individuals as to "fitness to serve", so the same standard should apply, which typically involves medical retirement as "unfit".

https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-b...r-the-mind-bipolar-disorder-and-the-military/

 

[Dddrees]

I thought we were just having a conversation. It was almost normal. Oh well, I'm off to read the news while I eat lunch.

I thought so as well.

Sorry, but I just see this latest Policy by Tweet another one of those things Trump thinks he can do by the seat of his pants. I think the evidence already shows it. It's not by no means something anybody else was prepared for. H*** even Sarah Huckebee wasn't ready for it. Not that that is surprising, because Trump just reacts and acts. He often gives no thought or preparation to a good number of things he does. Don't get me wrong he has and he's has to plan and give thought, but there are many cases where he does not.

 

[Dddrees]

First, I truly feel for transgender people. I cannot even begin to imagine what they go through.

Generally, they "hate" their identity and are frequently severely depressed requiring heavy medication and/or hormone therapy to gain a something "near normal" outlook on life. And I use "near normal" liberally to mean not in a near constant state of suicidal tendencies.

Without the political ramifications brought due to gender politics, their fitness to serve is very similar, IMO, to bipolar individuals. Depending upon the severity of depression and mood swings, the level of medication needed to approach a normal, healthy outlook on life, it affects their ability (though not their desire) to serve. Both (bipolar and trans) are chronic and severe. This decision has already been made for bipolar individuals as to "fitness to serve", so the same standard should apply, which typically involves medical retirement as "unfit".

https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-b...r-the-mind-bipolar-disorder-and-the-military/

Well thought out and stated as usual. I think I still tend to disagree because treating everyone as equals is so important to me. Equals in that everyone has their right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

 

[Birds Away]

Well thought out and stated as usual. I think I still tend to disagree because treating everyone as equals is so important to me. Equals in that everyone has their right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

For a citizen of the United States, yes. For a serving member of the Armed Forces, no.

 

[PaulF]

First, I truly feel for transgender people. I cannot even begin to imagine what they go through.

Generally, they "hate" their identity and are frequently severely depressed requiring heavy medication and/or hormone therapy to gain a something "near normal" outlook on life. And I use "near normal" liberally to mean not in a near constant state of suicidal tendencies.

Without the political ramifications brought due to gender politics, their fitness to serve is very similar, IMO, to bipolar individuals. Depending upon the severity of depression and mood swings, the level of medication needed to approach a normal, healthy outlook on life, it affects their ability (though not their desire) to serve. Both (bipolar and trans) are chronic and severe. This decision has already been made for bipolar individuals as to "fitness to serve", so the same standard should apply, which typically involves medical retirement as "unfit".

https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-b...r-the-mind-bipolar-disorder-and-the-military/

Your "general" description of trans falls well short of reality.

Like homosexuals a couple of decades ago, the majority of the trans community exists "in the closet". No one knows there is anything different between "them" and "us". Why should a person like that be automatically disqualified from serious consideration?

With an outright ban (all roles), trans people can still serve...but they cannot do it without lying.

Don't robust anti-fraternization rules accomplish a similar result without excluding potentially desirable recruits or forcing otherwise good people to lie?

 

[printcraft]

It might be 4000. It's not like I have really looked all that deep into it. Anyways what do you do with them?

Section 8. Mental illness discharge.

 

[Dddrees]

For a citizen of the United States, yes. For a serving member of the Armed Forces, no.

I have to admit when in the Military and during Don't Ask Don't Tell I felt that way then. I've changed my mind. I admit I'm not a serving member now, but I have changed my mind.

Besides the most problems I saw then were with straight women and straight men. The problem was fratinization. The problem was not sexual orientation. If there's something diffrent with Transexuals serving then let's see that Military study. Let's not govern our reaction on spur of the moment political discions by Tweet.

 

[hoosierdoc]

Paul, first you have to discount gender identity disorder as a psychiatric diagnosis

i don't