So far I have not commented on the mentally disturbed statements of retired General John J. Sheehan during his testimony on last Thursday to the Senate Armed Services Committee concern gay Dutch soldiers and blaming them for genocide. The General had no facts to support his bigoted statements, but then homophobes normally don't. It's all about them and the warped religious beliefs and personal hang ups on issues of sexuality. A Dallas Morning News story looks at the general's insanity and the Dutch governments strong rebuke, which included a statement that the general's comments were from the realm of fiction. One has to wonder how individuals so obviously out of touch with reality end up in positions of authority such as Sheehan. Here's a You Tube clip of his verbal diarrhea:
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The Dutch officials were quick to condemn Sheehan and rightfully label him a loon:
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European press has had a field day with the story, as Spiegel Online reports, the Dutch government was not too happy about the general's remarks:
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The Netherlands on Friday was quick to react to Sheehan's testimony. Dutch Defense Minister Eimert van Middelkoop issued a statement calling the remarks "outrageous and unworthy of a soldier." He went on to say, "I do not want to waste any more words on the matter."
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said the remarks were "disgraceful" and "should never have been made. ... It is way off the mark to talk like that about people and the work they do under very difficult circumstances." He added that he would not take up the matter with Obama because Sheehan is retired.
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Wim van den Burg, head of the Dutch military union AFMP, called Sheehan's comments "ridiculous" and "out of the realm of fiction."
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The Dutch officials were quick to condemn Sheehan and rightfully label him a loon:
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European press has had a field day with the story, as Spiegel Online reports, the Dutch government was not too happy about the general's remarks:
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The Netherlands on Friday was quick to react to Sheehan's testimony. Dutch Defense Minister Eimert van Middelkoop issued a statement calling the remarks "outrageous and unworthy of a soldier." He went on to say, "I do not want to waste any more words on the matter."
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende said the remarks were "disgraceful" and "should never have been made. ... It is way off the mark to talk like that about people and the work they do under very difficult circumstances." He added that he would not take up the matter with Obama because Sheehan is retired.
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Wim van den Burg, head of the Dutch military union AFMP, called Sheehan's comments "ridiculous" and "out of the realm of fiction."
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A comment left on the story is indicative of the damage being done to the USA's tourism industry and how legalized homophobia and religious based discrimination makes the USA an unattractive travel destination for many:
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The comments made by the general reflect, I am afraid, the generally homophobic attitudes of Americans in general. It's sickening that a country that has had slavery and racism in its history is still racist, and nowadays adds homophobia to its toxic brew of conservative politics and intolerance. We have our problems in Canada with homophobia and racism, yes, but it's nothing of the magnitude one sees from Americans. I for one, am glad I do not live in your country, and I don't want to ever go there, especially the South.
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The comments made by the general reflect, I am afraid, the generally homophobic attitudes of Americans in general. It's sickening that a country that has had slavery and racism in its history is still racist, and nowadays adds homophobia to its toxic brew of conservative politics and intolerance. We have our problems in Canada with homophobia and racism, yes, but it's nothing of the magnitude one sees from Americans. I for one, am glad I do not live in your country, and I don't want to ever go there, especially the South.
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