No Gays in the Military, But White Supremacists Okay

The recent murder of Boatswain’s Mate Seaman August Provost continues to be an example of the military stonewalling on the release of information since Provot's murder may inadvertently lead to other questions that the military doesn't want to talk about: while it is busy expelling qualified gays, the military has been allowing its ranks to be filled with white supremacists, gang members and felons. As the Navy Times is reporting, at least one member of Congress is angered by the Navy's stonewalling:

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Officials have not identified the suspect, who remained at the Camp Pendleton brig following a confinement hearing Wednesday, said Brian O’Rourke, a spokesman for Navy Region-Southwest in San Diego. No charges had been filed as of Thursday, O’Rourke said, adding that it may be several days before that could take place.

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Navy officials said they don’t believe the shooting was gang- or terror-related. They also continued to dispute rumors that Provost was killed because he was gay, despite contentions raised by several relatives and gay advocacy groups who claim the sailor had been harassed at the unit because he was open about his homosexuality.

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Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif., has asked Navy and Marine Corps officials for additional investigations into Provost’s death. Provost “made the selfless and courageous decision to serve his country, regardless of his sexual orientation; he should be treated with honor and respect,” Filner wrote in letters to Defense Secretary Robert Gates; Marine Commandant Gen. James Conway; Col. Nicholas F. Marano, who is Camp Pendleton’s base commander; and Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., who chairs the House Armed Services Committee.

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Filner said he was frustrated with a lack of information from the Navy and the Marine Corps, particularly over the suspicion that Provost’s sexuality might be connected to his death, which would raise questions about consequences of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. "They don't want that discussion to take place," he said.

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Meanwhile, Daily Kos has been reporting about the types of undesirables that have been admitted into the armed services even as witch hunts for gay and lesbian service members continue. Here are some highlights:

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In 2006, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)--a watchdog group that tracks hate groups in American--informed Donald Rumsfled that "thousands" of active duty troops appeared to be affiliated with hate groups in violation of military policy. The problem was acknowledged by some military commanders, recruiters, and the FBI, but nothing was done.

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In a recent article in the military publication Stars and Stripes, writer Kevin Baron discusses the issue:

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Military personnel must reject participation in organizations that espouse supremacist causes," the rule states. "Active participation, such as publicly demonstrating or rallying, fund raising, recruiting and training members, organizing or leading such organizations, or otherwise engaging in activities in relation to such organizations ... that are viewed by command to be detrimental to the good order, discipline, or mission accomplishment of the unit, is incompatible with Military Service, and is, therefore, prohibited." But military officials gave conflicting answers this week when asked how policies governing racist behavior are being enforced.

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The Army spokesman then referred Stripes to the Army’s Criminal Investigation Command for more information. But that office refused to comment on Army policy on hate groups, saying that the issue of extremists infiltrating the ranks was "an Army-wide issue" that should be addressed at the service command level. Conversely, no one in the military seems to be confused about how to apply "Don't Ask Don't Tell," as any of the 619 enlisted men and women kicked out of the military last year for being homosexual can tell you.

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The SPLC describes Newsaxon.com, where several soldiers have profiles, as a community site for white supremacists. Here is a quote from one active duty soldier with a profile under "WhitePride85" at the site: I have been in the Army for over 5 years now ... I am a SSGT ... I have been in Iraq and Kuwait ... I love and will do anything to keep our master race marching. I have been a skinhead forever.

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In 2006, the SPLC documented the neo-Nazi activities of Matt Buschbacher, who became a Navy SEAL: In 1999, he was the head of the [World Church of the Creator] Cincinnati chapter when Chicago member Benjamin Smith went on a three-day, two-state shooting spree that targeted Jews, Asians and blacks. Smith killed two people and wounded nine before committing suicide as police closed in.

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Buschbacher joined the navy in October 2001. In August 2002, while an active duty SEAL, "Buschbacher attended the National Alliance's invitation-only "leadership conference" at the neo-Nazi group's West Virginia compound." What's clear is that for years after becoming a SEAL, he violated military regulations without repercussions by staying active in the neo-Nazi movement.

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Truth be told, in my opinion, DADT remains in place while racists and felons and other undesirables are recruited for one simple reason: many senior military commanders are racists and homophobes themselves. No one wants to admit the extent of the problem because then it would track right up to the highest echelons of the armed forces and people like Admiral Mike Mullen.