Anti-Gay Letter May End General's Career

I have written a number of times about the Christianist mentality among some in leadership positions in the U.S. Military. These individuals put their religious dogma ahead of all else and as a result subvert the U.S. Constitution - including the right to religious freedom for ALL citizens - that they are sworn to support and defend. It now seems that the Army may do something to address this in terms of Lt. General Benjamin Mixon who has been actively advocating against the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Mixon's letter in Stars and Stripes stated in part:
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“It is often stated that most service members are in favor of repealing the policy. I do not believe that is accurate. I suspect many service members, their families, veterans and citizens are wondering what to do to stop this ill-advised repeal of a policy that has achieved a balance between a citizen’s desire to serve and acceptable conduct...Now is the time to write your elected officials and chain of command and express your views. If those of us who are in favor of retaining the current policy do not speak up, there is no chance to retain the current policy."
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The problem for Mixon is that this action directly violated DOD directives on discussing DADT. Stated bluntly, the general violated orders and the higher ups in the military are not happy. As MSNBC is reporting, both Defense Secretary Gates and Admiral Mike Mullen, Chair of the Joint Chiefs have made less than positive comments on Nixon's behavior. Here are highlights from MSNBC:
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Despite Secretary Gates' announcement this morning that the changes to Don't Ask," Don't Tell" are "unanimously supported" by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, one three-star general has expressed his disagreement publicly -- and now it may cost him his uniform.
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Lt. Gen. Benjamin Mixon, the commander of U.S. Army Pacific, wrote a letter to the Army newspaper Stars and Stripes recently that outlined his opposition to repealing the law.
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When asked about Mixon's letter this morning, both Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen called Mixon's actions "inappropriate" because in his leadership position, Mixon has great influence on other men and women in uniform.
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The chairman went on to say that Mixon is "obliged to certainly follow the direction of leadership right up to the president," and to abide by the president's "strategic intent." He said if Mixon or anyone else feels "so strongly about it," then "the answer is not advocacy; it is in fact to vote with your feet."
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Mullen said that the Army issued specific guidance about dealing with the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" issue during the review period and that Mixon's case is now "being addressed" in the Army chain of command.
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The official said that the Army is not likely to fire Mixon, but that the chairman's comments will force him to resign. He has been a three-star general since Feb. 1, 2008, so Congress will have to approve his retirement and determine whether he will retire as a two-star or three-star general.
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No doubt Mixon will soon be depicted as a Christian martyr by the usual suspects in short order. Never mind that he violated direct orders.