02/06/2006
Decorated Soldier Discharged Due to Gay Online Profile
Jeff Howe, a soldier in Iraq who posted photos of his unit's enemy-damaged truck on his blog at the request of his commander, became the subject of a background investigation by the military because a higher-up brigade commander thought the posted photos might "hearten the enemy." The background investigation was launched to see if Howe had terrorist ties.
During the investigation the military found an online profile which identified Howe as gay. Howe had previously kept his sexuality a secret because he wanted to serve his country. Once the online profile was discovered, Howe, a soldier decorated with commendations (Army Service Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Fort Riley "Blue Chip Soldier" Award), found himself in the process of being discharged.
With priorities like these, no wonder we're losing this ridiculous war.
Howe's full story, Outed in Iraq, is at Raw Story...
Posted 3:02 PM EST by Andy Towle in Current Affairs | Permalink
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I was in the Army for 12 years and left on my own, so this soldier's story doesn't surprise me a bit. Bigotry against gay people is so deeply rooted in the military and encouraged by an official policy of discrimination that leaders are blinded to the absurdities of Don't Ask/Don't Tell. When a soldier is discovered to be gay, no matter how outstanding his service, he changes instantly from super troop to just another fag.
Posted by: Sam | Feb 6, 2006 3:22:08 PM
Who cares, he's UGLY.
Posted by: Larry | Feb 6, 2006 4:34:59 PM
Larry.
You are a shallow, idiotic moron. This man is struggling on so many levels to maintain his personal integrity, and all you can say is you don't like the way he looks? You should be ashamed of yourself. You do such a diservice to the gay community. Grow the hell up.
Posted by: Mark | Feb 6, 2006 4:55:59 PM
"Who cares, he's UGLY."--Larry.
I hope Larry is joking. Otherwise, he reminds me of the racist gays who always say "so what?" when Andy T. posts an article about Abercrombie's discriminatory history or something else about racism. Some people really are that self-centered and vile. I'd toss in ignorant but that would be incorrect since they no what they believe is wrong but don't care since they don't have to worry about not being pretty (or the right color).
Good God, this soldier risked his life to serve his country and is losing his job; all Larry can say is "Who cares, he's UGLY."?
Larry, you're a vapid sicko.
Posted by: noah | Feb 6, 2006 5:57:45 PM
I think this is a very sad story...all soldiers deserve our respect and dignity
Posted by: Matthew Schooler | Feb 6, 2006 6:28:30 PM
Why would a commander ask to have such a photo posted on a soldier's blog? Wouldn't that commander know what the consequences might be, say, an investigation to out the soldier in question?
Posted by: CHET | Feb 6, 2006 6:34:43 PM
Sam's comment proves the military's honor code is bullshit.
Posted by: CHET | Feb 6, 2006 6:46:01 PM
Wow,
That really sucks.
Ummm, is this not the same military that publicly prosecutes homosexuals for adultery?
Posted by: Gilli | Feb 6, 2006 8:04:35 PM
Oh my gawd.
Oops, heterosexuals.
Okay, everybody.
Posted by: Gilli | Feb 6, 2006 8:06:17 PM
I've posted this before, but it applies here:
List of countries that allow gays in the military:
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Belgium
Canada
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ireland
Israel
Lithuania
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Countries with explicit bans on gays in the military:
Argentina
Belarus
Brazil
Croatia
Greece
Hungary
Luxembourg
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Turkey
Venezuela
... and the U.S.
Now that I've posted this brilliant piece of information, proving how stoopid it is to keep Gays out of the military, let me say something else. Jeff Howe knew he'd be kicked out if they found out he was Gay. The rule may be stoopid, but it's the rule. Those of us who have gotten away with breaking that rule, know we were just plain lucky.
Posted by: Jay Croce | Feb 7, 2006 12:20:31 AM
reminds me of the list of countries that still have the death penalty:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment
Posted by: Ryan | Feb 7, 2006 12:57:14 AM
Hi - its Jeff Howe - the one this story is about. Thanks for the positive comments - and Larry - go f*** yourself :)
Jeff
Posted by: Jeff Howe | Mar 9, 2006 9:08:00 AM