The Slippery Slope of Governing Sexuality

A few different sources, including Dr. Albert Mohler, have recently brought up the case of David Epstein, a professor of political science at Columbia University.  Apparently Epstein was recently charged with incest over a sexual relationship with his adult daughter.

The natural question, of course, is why?

If what two consenting adults do is no one else’s business, why is incest illegal? If reproduction is not germane, then the traditional genetic argument fails.

On what moral basis, then, is incest illegal?

Over at the SoldiersPerspective, a similar question is raised:  Read more

Christianity and Morality in the Military

Gays have been in the military since the beginning of armed conflict, and allowing them to admit that fact does not change the fact that they take the same risk as straight service members and are due the same respect.

Quotes like these are increasingly common — even from Christians — and demonstrate ignorance of the point of those who have opposed repeal of the law banning homosexuals from serving.

The fact that homosexuals have served within the military, in violation of the law, does not nullify the validity of the law (anymore than violation of any other law does so).

Risk, sacrifice, etc, are all irrelevant.  There is no Read more

Military Should Keep Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Religious Beliefs

The Associated Press reported that a conference on the role of spirituality in the armed forces occurred at the University of California in Berkeley.

Dr. Pauletta Otis, a professor of security studies at the Marine Command and Staff College, reportedly said there was good reason for “secrecy” regarding individual religious beliefs within the military, and the military should maintain a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on religion:  Read more

Choi to Rejoin Military Despite Mental, Political Issues

Former Army Lt Dan Choi announced in the Huffington Post that he intended to rejoin the military service now that DADT has been repealed.  Homosexuality aside, Choi may have other issues to overcome before the military will let him in.

Choi, originally promoted to “Mr.” below-the-zone for being homosexual, reportedly admitted to being “involuntarily committed” to a psychiatric ward due to Read more

X-47B UCAV Preparing for First Flight

The Military Times reports the X-47B, designed to demonstrate the capabilities of an unmanned strike aircraft, is preparing to conduct its first flight. The test aircraft has been conducting taxi tests at Edwards AFB, CA.

Though it is currently two years behind schedule, if it is successful the experimental aircraft would ultimately represent the first time an armed UAV operated off a naval carrier.

It is unclear if the X-47B, or its progeny, are intended to be entirely autonomous or remotely piloted to some degree.

New Catapult to Launch Navy Aircraft

The aura of steam is as expected on the deck of a Navy carrier as is the smell of jet fuel.  The steam catapult has been launching aircraft from Naval aircraft carriers for decades.

The Electro-magnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) of the new Gerald R. Ford class carriers hopes to change that.

The EMALS system would be the first new launch system since the Navy replaced hydraulic catapults with steam-powered systems in the 1950s. An electro-magnetic system has numerous advantages over steam. EMALS, which involves energizing a series of electro-magnets, is less stressful on aircraft and can launch a wider range of aircraft.

Of course, the entire concept is predicated on electromagnetic fields, so one wonders what kind of interference such a system will have not only on the ship on which it is installed, but also the aircraft its launching.

The EMALS successfully “launched” an F/A-18E Super Hornet on December 18th from a modified runway in New Jersey.  Though the Hornet wasn’t tossed precariously over the water as with other carrier-based launches, it presumably reached its required launch speed at the specified distance.

General Says Repeal May Cost Lives, Congress Repeals DADT

Commandant of the Marine Corps and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General James Amos has been widely reported to have said the repeal of DADT would cause “distractions” that could “cost Marine lives.”

Amos was widely criticized, with some even calling for his resignation for being “out of step with his own bosses.”  Apparently critics failed to realize its the responsibility of the Chiefs of Staff to provide such advice to the President.  It is not their job to be “yes men.”  Interestingly, there was speculation Amos had been chosen by Obama for both his pensive reservation and for his views on DADT (both of which seem to have been proven contrary to perception).

Still, Amos specifically said civilian leadership of the military in the US would be respected.

This weekend, Congress voted to repeal the law banning homosexuals from serving in the military.

1 … 455 456 457 458 459 … 608