In light of Thursday’s California Supreme Court hearing on Proposition 8, articles and columns have been running all this past week about the issue of same sex marriage.
There are many good pieces but, so far, my favorite out of the batch is a story that ran in the LA Times on Thursday about Bob Claunch and Jack Reavley who are 83 and 85 years old, respectively. They first met in 1951 when both were serving in the military. Reavley was Claunch’s commanding officer.
The two men have been together ever since; nearly sixty years. In that time, they haven’t been gay activists. They did not organize against Prop. 8. Jack Reavley and Bob Claunch were simply two people who loved each other, and demonstrated their commitment for more than a half century.
Up until recently, the couple didn’t fret about the fact that their relationship couldn’t be legalized through marriage. They didn’t feel they needed the piece of paper to prove who and what they were to each other.
However, now that it appears that Proposition 8 will likely be let to stand, and the men are old and increasingly frail, they wonder if they should have gotten married during the brief window of time in California when they had the chance.
Read the rest of the story here.
You know Celeste, as a young man raised in the 50’s and 60’s, upon reading a post like this, I probably would have made a statement something like this, “these fucking old queers don’t deserve any sympathy from anyone the damn perverts”.
Now, as an old dude married for 40 years to the same woman and being loved and reciprocating, and after suffering the slings and arrows that are a consequence of living for over sixty years, I can only say in response to your post that these are lucky people who found someone to love and be loved by, most people never get that kind of shot, and if they want to legitimize or sanctify or whatever they need to feel better about their relationship then more power to them, they got my blessings, who the hell am I to judge.
Celeste, we can’t make extremely broad laws just because you find a selcted few who think they might benefit from such.
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From the story: Reavley…became Claunch’s commanding officer at Armed Forces Radio in Munich, Germany. It was love at first sight, Claunch said.
Homosexuals shouldn’t be serving in the military. It creates extreme problems in different areas.
What Woody would be saying back in the 1940s:
Black shouldn’t be serving in the military. It creates extreme problems in different areas.
I don’t see any evidence of any problems with either of these two men’s service – they appear to have served their country well although their country hasn’t returned the favor.
What Kevin will be saying in the future…the members of NAMBLA just want to love and should not be blocked.
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Rebel Girl, do you see any problems with sexual harrassment at work and office affairs between bosses and subordinates? Does it hurt productivity and morale? Do lies about it help the company? What about the innocent spouses? Did you read the story about Reavley hurting his wife? Are there any problems with men showering together when some of them are “checking out” the others and invade their privacy? Would you like uni-sex showers at the gym? Do you think that there might be some good operational reasons that have made military leaders oppose gays in the service for centuries, but that there are political reasons for pandering politicians to support it and override those who have to deal with it?
But, just let a general say what everyone else knows, and politicians give in to homosexual activists and throw out a good military man. Yeah, really smart. Tear down the one government department charged with protecting our nation because gays keep demanding more.
What happened to “just wanting to be accepted and left alone?” Admit it. Homosexual activists never stop and they keep demanding more “rights.” What will they demand next in the name of equality? How many people will they destroy to get their ways? How many innocent people will be hurt?
I’ll leave them alone when they leave others alone.
Gays in the Military — The Logistics of the Debate
I can foresee the scenario going something like this:
Commander: Well, Top, the new policy is in effect. From now on it’s “Don’t Ask, but You can Tell.” It’s up to us to try and make the new policy work.
First Sergeant: Should be no problem, sir. After all, I can’t see where being gay would affect anyone’s duty performance.
Commander: That’s the attitude! I’ll leave it in your hands to make it work.
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(One week later)
Airman Jones: Sir, I’ve got a problem.
First Sergeant: What’s up, Jones?
Airman Jones: It’s my roommate. He’s Airman Thompson.
First Sergeant: So?
Airman Jones: Well, he’s gay, Sir. He told me so.
First Sergeant: We briefed you on the new policy. Gay service people are no different from anyone else. Airman Thompson does just as good a job as you do.
Airman Jones: Yes sir, but he keeps staring at me when I shower or change clothes and stuff. It’s really creeping me out.
First Sergeant: I can see how that might bother you. I’ll have a talk with him.
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(Later, that same day)
First Sergeant: Airman Thompson, we’ve got a problem.
Airman Thompson: Yes sir?
First Sergeant: Your roommate claims that you keep staring at him when he undresses. He feels uncomfortable with this.
Airman Thompson: Oh, no sir! I’m not looking at him. He’s not even my type.
First Sergeant: Okay. Just do me and your roommate a favor. When he undresses, make sure you look in another direction. Give his privacy rights a little break, okay?
Airman Thompson: Sure sir! No problem.
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(Five days later)
First Sergeant: We’ve got a problem, Jones. Your NCOIC says this is the 2nd time you’ve been late for work this week. What’s going on?
Airman Jones: I’m sorry sir, but I can’t sleep at night. Now, every time I even reach for my zipper, Airman Thompson stares at me and gives me a “wolf-whistle.” I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m about ready to smack him.
First Sergeant: No. No. You can’t do that. I’ll have another talk with him. Don’t you even think about harming him. Got it?
Airman Jones: Yes, sir.
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(Later)
First Sergeant: Thompson, your roommate claims you’ve been staring and whistling at him. That’s sexual harassment, and we won’t tolerate it. Understand?
Airman Thompson: I haven’t been looking or whistling! He’s just lying because he doesn’t like homosexuals! Most people in the military don’t like us, and they’ll lie in a heartbeat!
First Sergeant: Look, you’re not the only one that I’m having a problem with in implementing this policy. How about if I move you into a room all by yourself?
Airman Thompson: Sure!
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(Two weeks later)
Commander: First Sergeant, we’ve just received an Inspector General Complaint. It claims that you’ve given all the homosexuals in the squadron a private room?
First Sergeant: Yes, sir. There were some serious problems developing between them and their heterosexual roommates. I thought it best to get them split up before someone got hurt.
Commander: I understand, but we can’t give them special privileges. We don’t have enough space to give everyone a single room, and you can’t single out the homosexuals as getting a benefit that isn’t available to the others. Now, fix it!
First Sergeant: Yes, sir.
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(One week later)
Airman Pizaz: Airman Tippy is my girlfriend.
First Sergeant: That’s nice. What can I do for you.
Airman Pizaz: Well, she wants to room with me.
First Sergeant: (spitting coffee) You know we can’t room a male and female together in the barracks.
Airman Pizaz: Why not? You roomed Airman Thompson and Airman Eckers together.
First Sergeant: So?
Airman Pizaz: Come on, Shirt! Everyone knows they’re going together. If Thompson gets to room with his boyfriend, how come I can’t room with my girlfriend?
First Sergeant: Well…..I guess that makes sense. Okay, I’ll approve it.
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(Two weeks later)
Commander: (Storming into office, blowing steam out of his ears) What in the Hell are you doing, First Sergeant?
First Sergeant: Sir?
Commander: (Face turning blue) The Wing has just received a slew of Congressional Complaints about you from concerned parents! It appears as if you are allowing their young sons and daughters to shack up in my barracks. Is that true?
First Sergeant: Well, yes Sir….but…..
Commander: (Having a kiniption) No buts!!!!!!! Not in my Air Force!!!!!! People don’t shack up in Military Barracks!! Is that clear???
First Sergeant: Yes Sir.
Commander: (Jumping up and down) Fix this, now!!!
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First Sergeant (Thinking): How in the World do I fix this?
(After much thought)
I know! I’ll room male homosexuals with female heterosexuals, and female homosexuals with male heterosexuals!
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(One week later)
Commander: (Blood pressure rising like a steam boiler) First Sergeant, what in the blazes is going on in my squadron?
First Sergeant: Sir?
Commander: Every single male in the barracks now claims he’s homosexual, and wants to move in with a heterosexual female!
First Sergeant: Well, Sir, I guess the studies were wrong. Maybe it is possible for one to change their sexual orientation.
I have some of the most wonderful men friends who are gay. It breaks my heart to see how they are treated by people who don’t understand its not a way of life they chose. They are some of the most giving, big hearts, considerate, loyal friends. Some of these men have been together a lot longer then my straight friend couples. They have more patience to endure more and fight harder because of the world around them. I pray that keep safe all the time because we live in a world that is filled with so much hate. I think its hypocritical for churches to come out against gay marriage. They promote love and peace and spirituality yet don’t practice what they preach. Wonderful story Celeste
Janet, you bring issues into the discussion that weren’t there before and have nothing to do with the topic. We’re not talking about how people are treated, whether or not they chose their sexual preferences, and whether or not someone might hate them. The sole topic is whether homosexual relationships should be considered the same as time-honored marriages between men and women. Only people with no arguments use bad names and descriptions against the other side rather than deal in rational debate.
Also, I can only imagine the Pandora’s Box that would be opened if gays were across-the-board allowed to adopt children. That would not be a healthy upbringing and would make Parent-Teacher Night at achool or a Father-Daughter Dance quite awkward for the child and friends.
Let’s leave gay relationshiops at the point at which they once said was “all that they want”–acceptance…period. Not marriage, not adoption, not military service, not special rights, no hate crimes…but, acceptance. Otherwise, there would be no end to the demands and perversions.
More gay old white guys should move to the EastSide of Los Angeles, they will be welcomed with open ……………..
The folks over at LAEastide.com would never ever judge or criticize any whites, hipsters of gay folks from the WestSide.
http://laeastside.com/
The kids that I know raised by gays are the most responsible, respectful, successful and emotionally balanced then most of the straight married friends kids I know. The straight families kids are all drugged out, been arrested for juvenile stuff, if they’re teens are out of control and defiant. When I compare the kids raised by gays there’s such a huge difference it makes you wonder what are they doing right.