Anna Quindlen in Newsweek:
In January of this year alone, the Army fired 11 soldiers under the policy, including a military-police officer and a health-care specialist. Dozens of Arabic-language translators have been thrown out of the service as well, including one whose captain's evaluation began: "Exceptional leader." In the meantime, to meet recruitment quotas, special waivers have been issued to allow the enlistment of hundreds of convicted felons, including arsonists and burglars. One man who had repeatedly beaten his wife was accused of beating prisoners in Iraq; another, who stabbed an Iraqi private with a bayonet, had been accused of assault as a civilian.
If rationality held sway, all the opponents of repealing this idiotic policy would read that and immediately recognize that their position couldn't stand. Unfortunately, rationality and the conservative mind at this stage of the game are mutually exclusive.
Posted by Linkmeister at April 8, 2009 10:13 AM | TrackBackA wifebeater beats prisoners. An accused assaulter assaults a colleague.
Why is it that these pre-existing conditions don't disqualify these individuals from ever entering the military, whereas soldiers with PTSD are denied care and assistance based on documented long after the fact "pre-existing" psychological impairments?
Not as disgusting as the fact of beatings and assaults by soldiers, but reprehensible nonetheless.
Posted by: N in Seattle at April 9, 2009 08:22 AM