posted on October 18, 2001 04:35:26 PM new
Thursday October 18 5:59 PM ET
Anti-Gay Bomb Slur Wrong, Navy Says
WASHINGTON (AP) - An anti-gay slur written on one of the bombs used in the strikes on Afghanistan was inappropriate and commanders have been directed to prevent similar incidents, a top Navy official said.
Pilots or crews of U.S. warplanes often write messages on bombs, either taunting the enemy or praising America. Messages written on bombs during the anti-terrorism airstrikes have included several references to the Sept. 11 attacks.
A news photograph of a plane on the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier last week showed one bomb with the message, ``High Jack This,'' followed by an anti-gay slur.
The Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights group, complained about the bomb's message. Rear Adm. Stephen Pietropaoli, in a letter to the group Wednesday, said the Navy does not tolerate discrimination and the bomb's message was an ``isolated incident.''
Several newspapers across the country also asked the Navy about the bomb's message earlier this week, said Pietropaoli, the Navy's chief of information.
``We immediately notified Navy commanders involved with Operation Enduring Freedom to ensure steps were taken to prevent a recurrence of this unfortunate incident. They have done so,'' Pietropaoli wrote.
Elizabeth Birch, executive director of Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement that the letter was ``a welcome clarification and we are pleased the Navy has stated that this type of anti-gay behavior has no place in our armed forces.''
posted on October 18, 2001 04:48:29 PM new
Perhaps 'tis just me, but given all the things going on in the world right now, that seems like a mighty picayune matter about which to get in a froth...
"Hey, put your lives at risk but you better be PC while you are!"
posted on October 18, 2001 04:50:19 PM new
see plsmith you always crack me up and I have always loved your post. cant believe we got in a spat. no hard feelings
posted on October 18, 2001 04:57:27 PM new
Breiny, (do ya mind if I call ya that? I think it's the affectionate term for Breinhold), I didn't feel like we were having a spat. Takes someone like that yahoo who stormed into nycrocker's thread last night, insulting and being deliberately hurtful to get me mad. We can disagree here civilly, I think. I hope...
posted on October 18, 2001 05:04:32 PM new"Takes someone like that yahoo who stormed into nycrocker's thread last night, insulting and being deliberately hurtful to get me mad"
posted on October 18, 2001 05:13:51 PM new
"Takes someone like that yahoo who stormed into nycrocker's thread last night, insulting and being deliberately hurtful to get me mad"
"Don't believe that for a minute."
Right, Ken. I should have added, "Or a protracted campaign of wheedling from krs..."
posted on October 18, 2001 05:15:37 PM newKraftdinner: *checking tail status* No problem...
It just struck me as-having a hard time thinking of an appropriate word beyond "piddly"-that people are fighting and possibly dying and a bomb with a word construed as a slur is the big issue.
Sort of reminds me of the time my mother had major surgery, was in the ICU hooked up to ever machine imaginable, and all she could think about was whether or not she was wearing her teeth.
What do you want to bet that the photographer who snapped that photo almost wet him/herself with happiness at the idea of a potential controversy?
posted on October 18, 2001 05:36:37 PM new
I know what you mean Shadowcat . Sometimes being correct goes too far then becomes restricting. It's just in this particular case, "fags" are being equalled to the most evil person(s) on earth to us. It just sends the wrong message imo. Makes the military look immature.
posted on October 18, 2001 10:00:42 PM new
WHY does this info not surprise me.
Sigh. And THIS, my friends, is why you DON'T see any American flag anywhere near MY house. When I see an American flag, to me it has always meant "Anti-Gay, Sexist, Macho Pig Country". It meant as a lesbian I had NO equal civil rights in this country, cannot be legally married, but have to pay taxes and serve jury duty like everyone else. And this did not (and will not) change because of any terrorist attack. Yeah, let's use a gay bashing slur against the Taliban, THAT'S a good idea, let's call the Taliban FAGS and show them we hate the Taliban as much as we hate FAGS. Hmmmm and then I am supposed to feel "patriotic"? I don't freakin think so. Liberty and justice for SOME? Please remind me, WHO is the enemy again??
Nope, no flags for me. I will just keep wearing my NEW YORK CITY t-shirts with pride.
Shadow, just wondering, if they had written a black slur like "HiJack This, N****R" or an Anti Semetic Slur, or... the list goes on and on, would you still think that? Just wondering.
EDITED TO ADD FOR CLARITY: I meant "Anti-Gay, Sexist, Macho Pig GOVERNMENT of our country", not the PEOPLE of our country. I can see how some people could've taken what I said in the wrong way but GOVERNMENT is what I meant. I don't believe most American people are this way at all - luckily.
posted on October 18, 2001 10:03:12 PM new
I have to agree with Shadowcat on this. What is going to be complained about next? The color of the bomb? Leave them alone and let them drop the damn thing. Words and all.
posted on October 18, 2001 10:08:11 PM new
HEP see why you p*ss me off? You're my pal one minute and then you think it's okay for the US to equate terrorists with gay people. You really don't get it, do you.
posted on October 18, 2001 10:08:19 PM new
I see what youre saying, Rocker. And to be honest and probably get a reaming for it, I would still think the same thing. Those guys are angry, just like we civilians are. They arent thinking PC...they are just plain ol pissed and when someone is pissed, they tend to say, do or write things they may not do in normal circumstances.
It could say kill all honkies, as far as Im concerned.
[ edited by Hepburn on Oct 18, 2001 10:09 PM ]
posted on October 18, 2001 10:11:03 PM new
Hep - I hope in your next life, you come back as a Black, Queer Transsexual
Only THEN will you possibly get a clue.
Rocker
[ edited by nycrocker on Oct 18, 2001 10:12 PM ]
posted on October 18, 2001 10:12:42 PM new
Rocker, we will not always see eye to eye on some things. But I will always consider you my "pal", regardless. Get pissed at me, thats ok. And I will you, too. But that doesnt change what I think of you. Yes, I do get it. But Im not thinking of it the same way you are. You say they are equating fags with terrorists. I see it as someone pissed off and not thinking, but wanting to lash out. Were not gay people working at the WTC? Of course. That bomb is meant for those who hurt and killed them, along with heterosexuals. Do you see?
posted on October 18, 2001 10:13:52 PM new
Gee, Thanks rocker. Appreciate your understanding.
Im caucasian and heterosexual. I dont give a rats patootey if it said KILL ALL HONKY HETERS. The point is, they are ANGRY. They are american and they are MAD and they have to go in those planes and PAY BACK what happened here in the USA. They arent thinking PC..they are MAD. Thats the way I see it. But if you think Im an idiot, its nice to know now. Yes, now Im pissed too.
[ edited by Hepburn on Oct 18, 2001 10:16 PM ]
spelling.
[ edited by Hepburn on Oct 18, 2001 10:17 PM ]
posted on October 18, 2001 10:14:40 PM new
Fine we are still pals, now get in the ring with me. Oh so they didnt THINK first? Oh I thought the military was supposed to THINK first. How silly of me.
posted on October 18, 2001 10:17:28 PM new
Hep I see it as YOU are the one not understanding. But how could you? You "honkies" already have your equal rights here and are not subjected to this oppression at every turn. Even during a damn terrorist attack the freaking Gay bashing has to continue? You really do piss me off that you have no understanding of this.
posted on October 18, 2001 10:20:50 PM new
No, I dont know what its like. No, I dont know what its like to be up in a plane, dropping bombs on a country that just bombed the crap out of MY country and MY people whether they are gay or straight, they are STILL DEAD. No, I dont know what the guys were thinking that wrote that. No, its not nice what they wrote. No, I dont CARE right now what they write on the damn thing.
posted on October 18, 2001 10:21:57 PM new
Hep you changed your post but I answered the original one. But ya know what? I dont give a rats ass either if you're pissed at me, know why? Cos I don't need a bigot to like me or agree with me. You have insulted the queer community here countless times.
FACT: The US just equated QUEERS with TERRORISTS. "HIgh jack this, FAGS."
posted on October 18, 2001 10:24:11 PM new
Sara, Rocker is very passionate about this. I dont know what her situation is, or how she has had to live. I like her very much, and I know she feels the same about me. Right now, we are just slugging it out, but at the end, I will still feel towards her as I always have and hopefully she will feel the same. In the meantime, this is what I feel and we are just going to have to agree to disagree and she be angry with me for not knowing what she wants me to know (or rather, understanding).
Rocker 
[ edited by nycrocker on Oct 18, 2001 10:12 PM ]
