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Faith

U.S. Gov’t Extends Select Military Benefits to Same-Sex Partners

Feb. 11, 2013 4:42pm Billy Hallowell

WASHINGTON (TheBlaze/AP) — The Defense Department is not extending some housing benefits to same-sex partners of service members even though it legally could because the issue requires more review and military leaders expressed concerns, senior Pentagon officials said Monday. But the situation isn’t entirely grim for gays seeking equal benefits in the military.

A new department memo detailed a number of other benefits that will be extended to same-sex partners, including identification cards that will provide access to commissaries and other services. But Pentagon officials said that while some housing payments and health care benefits can’t be included because of federal law, some access to base housing is not specifically prohibited and could be offered in the future.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is giving the military services until Oct. 1 to put the changes into effect and provide 22 benefits to same-sex partners, but he said they should make every effort to get it done by Aug. 31

U.S. Governement Extends Military Benefits to Same Sex Partners

Outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta reviews the troops during an Armed Forces Farewell Tribute in honor of Panetta at Joint Base Myer-Henderson in Arlington, Virginia, February 8, 2013. Panetta will retire once his likely successor, former Nebraska Senator Chuck Hagel, is confirmed by the US Senate. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

Two senior Pentagon officials explained the changes and the legal arguments behind the decisions on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the issue.

In his memo to the military services, Panetta said that housing, burials — such as those at Arlington National Cemetery — and some benefits related to overseas deployments “present complex legal and policy challenges” but will remain under review. A key stumbling block is the federal Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, which prohibits the federal government from recognizing any marriage other than that between a man and a woman.

According to a senior legal official, the department cannot extend any benefits that, by law, are limited to “spouse” because of the DOMA restrictions.

Service members get payment allowances for off-base housing, with singles getting a specific amount and married couples getting a bit more. Same-sex couples could not legally receive the higher off-base funding that a married couple could get because of DOMA’s marriage definition.

But same-sex couples are not legally prohibited from qualifying for on-base housing. Pentagon officials said that issue requires more review because there were some concerns about following the “spirit of the law” outlined in DOMA. And they said that service chiefs were concerned about fairness and the reaction of other military members, including the possibility that married couples might be bumped from a housing list by a same-sex couple.

A senior Pentagon official said the rough estimate of same-sex couples affected by the new benefits is about 18,000 – 5,600 active duty, 3,400 National Guard and Reserve and 8,000 retirees. Officials said that the numbers were probably high, and that there was no solid survey or assessment that could provide a more accurate total.

Photo Credit: AP

A number of lawmakers praised the Pentagon’s move, but also called for full equality, saying Congress should repeal DOMA.

“The administration is doing what it can within the constraints that are in place, but the job is not done,” said Rep. Adam Smith, raking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. “I look forward to continuing to work with the administration and my colleagues in Congress to achieve full equality in the military.”

Among the nearly two dozen benefits now available to same-sex partners, the identification card is likely the most important. Officials said the card will look largely the same as the service members’ but will have the designation “DP” — for domestic partner — and will list the types of benefits it allows on the back. Spouses and dependents of service members have similar cards, but those include designations for healthcare benefits.

Other benefits now available to same-sex partners and families include family programs, travel on military aircraft when available, child care, legal assistance, and if both are in the military they would be able to request, and be considered for, duty assignments in the same area.

Panetta’s decision comes as he nears the end of his tenure as Pentagon chief and on the heels of President Barack Obama’s broad call for equal rights for gays during his inaugural speech.

The repeal of the ban on gays serving openly in the military took effect in September 2011, and since then the Pentagon has been reviewing policies and procedures to see what military benefits can be opened to same sex partners without violating DOMA.

The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of DOMA in June, but advocacy groups have argued that there are a number of administrative steps the Pentagon could take to treat same-sex military couples more fairly.

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Comments (101)

thegreatcarnac
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:51pm
The libtrash on this site believe their support of gays and every other perversion that raise it’s ugly head shows that they are enlightened and educated. It only shows that they are too stupid or afraid to stand against what is wrong. To go along with things that are obviously wrong, perverted and dangerous to children and the country is the height of cowardice. The prominence of gays are a sign of decadence and they weaken a nation in the long run. Screw political correctness. Gays have no place in the armed services and if their presence continues,…look for a military setback of great proportion.

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- Freedomlover_US
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 11:30pm
  Like in Britain or Israel, where gays serve openly? In fact, the only NATO country that has a ban on open gay service is Turkey.
  
  What is wrong is for you and your kind to decide that your religion grants you the right to enforce your beliefs onto others. The tide is turning and your kind is on the wrong end. A man serves his country honorable deserves to pass along his benefits to the life partner of his choice, and any christian that has a problem with it can go straight to hell
  
  Report this comment
- BryanB
  Posted on February 12, 2013 at 3:33am
  @Freedomlover_US
  
  First of all your not a “Freedomlover”, if you were, then anything anyone said or did in their personal life wouldn’t bother you, especially the stuff that people post on here. But what really makes you a True Hater of Freedom is the fact that you can’t stand anyone that thinks or believes differently then you !!!!!
  Just because someone exercises their believes and their values doesn’t make them wrong. It’s why the Founding Fathers put all of our Freedoms in the hands of God and not man.
  
  Second, What works in other countries, doesn’t work here.
  The British Army and all European military forces Basic Training is only 6 weeks long. U.S. Army 12 weeks.
  Barrracks accommodations for British Army ART (Army Recruit Training) 2 soldiers to a room.
  U.S. Army accommodations, for BCT (Basic Recruit Training) 80 soldiers living in one room Barrracks.
  Bathing and restroom facilities in the British Army and European military forces, is much more private (4 soldiers to facilities), U.S. Army, 80 soldiers ****, shower and shave together.
  
  There are huge differences between U.S. and Europe, and this homosexual experiment in the U.S. Military is not working, we have to many people with different backgrounds in the U.S., and it’s already causing major problems for the U.S. Military…………
  
  Report this comment
- vaman
  Posted on February 12, 2013 at 8:39am
  Excellent Freedom. Perfectly said. The fundamentalist radical christian, once again finds himself on the wrong side of history. Close your bible and open your mind. Your obvious bigotry has no place in todays society.
  
  Report this comment
- NHwinter
  Posted on February 12, 2013 at 9:50am
  vaman – “close your bible and open your mind”? Really? God is the Creator of All, closing the bible is closings off the source of all knowledge and wisdom. I can’t imagine anyone having the hubris to tell others to close their bibles. Comments like that do nothing to add to this conversation. It only shows your intolerance and ignorance. We love the sinner, but we don’t like the sin. Grow up and join in an intelligent conversation.
  
  Report this comment
- encinom
  Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:06am
  NHwinter
  Posted on February 12, 2013 at 9:50am
  vaman – “close your bible and open your mind”? Really? God is the Creator of All, closing the bible is closings off the source of all knowledge and wisdom.
  __________________
  From the example of bible readers here are the Blaze, the Bible is a source of hate, bigotry and ignorance.
  
  Report this comment
- NHwinter
  Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:47am
  encinom – its interesting that you try to turn that on Christians, but I’ve read your posts and you rant and post hate. I don’t see tolerance on your part for other’s beliefs.
  
  Report this comment
shorelineliz
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 7:33pm
@ ENCINOM:
“I guess when you speak the truth on the Blaze you get censored.
The typical Beckerhead is a hate filled bigot, bashing patriotic Americans who serve their country and using the bible to justify their hate.”

So, what does your rant make you? Are you being “censored” or are people just disagreeing? Can you even tell the difference? What would you “typically” be called for what you just posted? How convenient it is for you to say “hate” in all your posts, accusing people of “hating” who disagree with your position? What does this make you? A ‘hater” yourself? It is the typical response of Liberals to call anyone who disagrees with their beliefs or opinions as haters. This is so YAWN. Why don’t you add to hater: racist, bigot, GOP ******* like Van Jones? If people on The Blaze don’t want to agree with who “true Patriots” are then why don’t you leave it at that? If they don’t want to pay for something with their tax dollars then what is that to you? Every American has a “right” to decide what their tax dollars buy without being labeled a “hater” which is just a cheap shot. And used all too often to the point of YAWN. I smiled when you put Christian and Taliban in the same sentence. If you only knew. If you only did. But, I see you are an expert at “name calling” the first TRICK out of the LIberal ToyBox. You are exceptionally predictable and boring. OH, add “racist” to your rant next time okay? I missed that one. YAWN. AGain.

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- encinom
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:31pm
  When the Blaze removes several of my comments its censorship. Lizzy, the right filled with hate and christians are proving themselves to be little more than bigots with bibles. The lost the culture war, America, as a nation decided that ALL of her CITIZENS deserve the same rights and equal protection, not just a select few that self appointed morality police approve of. The right lost the new generations, they have rejected the hate filled preachings of yesterday. All the right has left is a few dying, old white men, and a handful of ignorant country boys.
  
  Report this comment
- naughtycal
  Posted on February 12, 2013 at 8:39am
  encinuts,
  I guess facebook,msnbc,cnn,yahoo,and a host of others do the same..
  On another note if the military can extends benefits to same sex partners then the most extend them to opposite sex partners as well….Which means girlfreinds and boyfreinds of military members….Look for rising deficits. Of course that accurs everytime the gibbme party speaks.
  
  Report this comment
Inform
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 7:26pm
YYYYYYYYYYYYYYY MMMM C A
It’s fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A….

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Bohump
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:27pm
Witch one Sleeps, … On the Top BUNK ?

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Saff SGT
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:12pm
I have just ruled on this no gays in the Military its adone deal….

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- The_Jerk
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:23pm
  Pink uniforms. I heard that there are zippers in the front and back of the men’s new trousers.
  
  Report this comment
- Outlaw_Josey_Wales
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 7:04pm
  This gives a whole new meaning to bringing up the rear.
  
  Report this comment
pookieamos
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:11pm
I saw earlier where this Navy Seal has lost his healthcare but yet homosexual deviants will now get it , this crap enrages me , OMG , may the good Lord help us if Democrats gain the Congress in 2014 and manage to repeal the 18 th Amendment or is the 22nd Amendment ??? I’ll go silently insane if I have to live with Obama past four years !!! We will all have to turn gay to make it America. However , I feel for the gays if we were to have Shariah imposed by radical Islamist, homosexuals will be eliminated !

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- Keatonc33
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:15pm
  the navy seal is not in active service and left service 4 years before he was eligible for pension… its a straw man argument. if any gay soldier did the same they would be treated the same.
  
  Report this comment
- shorelineliz
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 7:20pm
  Yup. Navy Seal who kills Bin Laden gets no healthcare, benefits or pension. Mount men all day and night in the military and get ass, cash and grass. Works for Obama. But, then, while in Rev. Wright’s Church the good old Jeremiah Right ran an escort service for men who “preferred men”. Wink. Wink. Shhhhhhh……
  
  Report this comment
- Kupo
  Posted on February 12, 2013 at 4:39am
  If he wanted his pension then all he had to do was stay in for 4 more years. I’m sure he could have gotten a fairly cushy duty assignment behind a desk or at a training facility for his final years.
  
  Report this comment
Saff SGT
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:10pm
release all of them to save money thats legal keep the good guys

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- Keatonc33
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:18pm
  so two people fight and risk death everyday for your right to sit in your safe little house and judge them. and they are only “good” if they share your sexual orientation?
  
  Report this comment
- PoliticallyRightUs.Com
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:48pm
  @Keatonc33, you think this is about sexual orientation? It is a mind set idiot!!! Look back at history and you will see what happened to empires who let gays into the military
  
  Report this comment
- Keatonc333
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:55pm
  what about the empires that didn’t allow gays into the military! they too crumbled!
  
  Report this comment
- Freedomlover_US
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 11:33pm
  Britain and Israel allow openly gay people serve in their military. I thought Israel could do no wrong?
  
  I’m sure somewhere you cry babies will be b!tching that this is somehow an “attack on christians” because rights are being extended to those who do not believe as you do.
  
  Report this comment
jungle J
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:04pm
what sane person wants a homosexual around them?

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- Keatonc33
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:11pm
  The majority of America….
  
  Report this comment
- demsrtraitors
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:17pm
  NO sane person does and NO sane person want those ill people around their families either. Hey serial killers and pedophiles were born that way too and I guess they want to be accepted as well. pfft
  
  Report this comment
- Keatonc33
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:20pm
  haha dem… the comparing homosexuals to serial killers argument just makes you look insane.
  
  Report this comment
- ModerationIsBest
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 7:03pm
  What sane person wants a religious person next to them?
  
  See, it works the same way.
  
  Stop being a moron.
  
  Report this comment
pookieamos
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:04pm
This homosexual favortism is getting OLD ! My husband is employed at Harley Davidson , we’ve always had very low deductibles and out of pocket maximums , TILL THIS YEAR !! Harley also expanded benefits for homosexuals and any kids they may have !!! But you know what they did to everybodies coverage ??? They raised our deductibles by 16 times , 16 !!! From $150 to $ 2750 !! Our max went from 1500 per the family after which everything including prescriptions were covered at 100 PERCENT to now $ 9000 !!! The worst part is we have no, NADA , prescription help till after we spend $2750 !!! Thanks to Obama and his **** addiction , my family just lost coverage to spread it to the GAYS for free !! Obama can go blow himself !!!!

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- shorelineliz
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 7:36pm
  @PookieAmos:
  
  thanks for this post. We need to hear how these policies are affecting real folks and families. Liz+
  
  Report this comment
- DoseofReality
  Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:44am
  My gosh….you are an idiot……I go through these posts and am in awe at the bigotry and ignorance. i mean seriously, where are you people from?
  
  Report this comment
- TASS50
  Posted on February 12, 2013 at 7:57pm
  Wow, that’s a lot
  
  Report this comment
- ihasa
  Posted on March 9, 2013 at 6:35am
  Does Harley have an extremely high number of gay people working there? Seems unlikely that benefits would be slashed that much purely because of ‘the gay’ – unless they’re like, 50% of the work force!
  
  Of course another way of looking at the situation would be that previously, gay people, in not receiving benefits, were subsidising your coverage while doing the same amount of work. That kind of makes them your ‘slaves’, doesn’t it? (I jest!)
  
  Report this comment
nighttrainno9
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:00pm
No. 1 All queers should classified section 8 and gone.
No 2 obama is doing this and females on the front lines
to destroy the military along with the rest of the country.

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- Keatonc33
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:08pm
  no 3 you’re an idiot
  
  Report this comment
- Freedomlover_US
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 11:35pm
  Apparently the outright majority that re-elected him want to destroy the country as well…
  
  Report this comment
dosdelgados
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:53pm
Let’s overwhelm the system while facing cuts that are going to hurt our readiness.

Yep people shacking up can get benefits (unless you’re straight…then you have to be married). But let’s decrease our ship presence.

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- Keatonc33
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:02pm
  Hey maybe we should just let them get married! HUH? that’d solve that! Its your homophobia based on your own personal beliefs that is creating this standard.
  
  Report this comment
- dosdelgados
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:11pm
  No. If you are in a straight relationship, and not married, you still don’t qualify for these benefits.
  
  Equal rights? Remember Orwell…some animals are more equal than others.
  
  Report this comment
- Keatonc33
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:18pm
  Right.. so let gay people get married and we’ll solve this problem.. until then YOU are responsible for the double standard.
  
  Report this comment
dosdelgados
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:51pm
The following services are not covered by Tricare: chiropractic, in vitro fertilization, and sex changes.

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pll
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:49pm
I am so sick and tired of hearing about equality for homosexuals. What about fairness for heterosexuals and normal married families?

These homosexual/same sex arrangements (marriages) will push or bump normal families out of the chance to get base housing.

There is a very limited supply of on-base housing available for normal families. Families have to wait months or sometimes a year to obtain a base house. Base housing is one the most valuable benefits for the military especially when you are assigned to a remote base or unit. Many military installations are forty-five minutes to an hour drive from a city or town where they can find decent housing off-base at a reasonable price.

Same-sex couples usually have two full paychecks and very few have children to support. Normal families have children to support on one paycheck. The spouse of a normal military member usually has a hard time finding employment when they are in a remote area. Therefore, economically a normal heterosexual married couple should be the only ones able to occupy base housing.

Call me politically incorrect if you want. I don’t care.

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- dosdelgados
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:57pm
  No. You’re exactly right.
  
  Report this comment
- shorelineliz
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 7:50pm
  Don’t you know your view is not only Politically Incorrect but:
  
  1. racist
  2. hater
  3. homophobe
  4. GOP/Wall Street Loving/Corporate Loving/Big Bank Capitalist
  5. Conservative/Uptight/Religious/Pollyanna/Preaching
  6. Bible Thumper
  7. Intolerant
  8. non-inclusive
  9. non-diverse
  10. unkind, rejecting, non accepting, non compassionate, without thoughtfulness……
  
  How do you live with yourself every day? You should just drink the Obama Kool-Aid and join all the:
  
  1. compassionate
  2. kind
  3. thoughtful
  4. accepting
  5. politically correct
  6. Liberal/Gay/Lesbian/LGBT/Basher
  7. Democrat Party
  8. tolerant
  9. inclusive
  10. Diverse
  
  How DO you live with yourself every day. As if!
  
  (This rant brought to you by: Obama White House, ACLU, Southern Poverty Law Center, NAACP, Big Time Gay/Lesbian/Bi/Transgender Lobby Movement, George Soros, ACORN, Tides Foundation, Home Depot and Starbucks Coffee Company in GayVille, Washington as well as Girardelli Chocolates in San GayCisco, California).
  
  Report this comment
- TASS50
  Posted on February 12, 2013 at 7:59pm
  Very true, I had to wait for housing
  
  Report this comment
dosdelgados
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:42pm
Step by step. Bit by bit.

Just like a blanket amnesty is goi to overwhelm the welfare system, a blanket allowance of mi,Italy benefits to same sex partners is going to put a massive burden on the military healthcare system (and it’s ALREADY strained and difficult to get appointments/approval/payment). I have a feeling healthcare will very soon not be a benefit of service.

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- dosdelgados
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:48pm
  Sorry about the typos. I’m a) on my iPad, and b) pretty pissed off.
  
  Report this comment
- Keatonc33
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:04pm
  Its amazing that allowing our american soldiers families to have benefits has pissed you off… USA USA USA! go home troop hating commie!!!
  
  Report this comment
- dosdelgados
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:16pm
  It is painfully obvious that you have never served. Never made the decision to give up money, time with your family, holidays, school programs, plays, and kid’ births to give honor to your country. Never have you spent months living in a tent. Never have you ridden on a 5-ton in full battle rattle en route to clean up an IED detonation, where you have to tote your dead fellow countrymen back. Never have you wondered whether or not you’re going to see your family again. Shame on you for refusing to recognize a point of view different than your own.
  
  Report this comment
- Keatonc33
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:22pm
  Dos.. you are right! I haven’t… but I think anyone who has should be given the benefits they deserve! no matter their sexual orientation!
  
  Report this comment
- ModerationIsBest
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 9:41pm
  @DOSDELGADOS
  
  So what you’re saying is that a heterosexual serving in the military is more honorable then a homosexual serving in the military and are thus deserving of more benefits?
  
  Report this comment
- dosdelgados
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 11:35pm
  So what you’re saying is that a heterosexual serving in the military is more honorable then a homosexual serving in the military and are thus deserving of more benefits?
  —-
  No. What I am asking is why homosexuals are being given benefits without having to meet the same criteria as heterosexuals.
  
  I asked the same question about parades. We are not permitted to wear our uniform in a non-military parade, march, or rally. HOWEVER, if marching in a gay pride/rights parade, the uniform is okay.
  
  This is not about equal rights. This is about special treatment.
  
  Report this comment
freeberty
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:30pm
If you didn’t have so many kids, nieces or nephews, that couldn’t make it in the free market, that now have to depend on the government to take care of them, by joining the military (voluntarily), you would realize just how big of a welfare jobs program the military has become.

Obama phones for everyone!

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mac410
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:25pm
If a same sex “partner” gets a benefit then opposite sex partners would also get the same benefit, right? I mean if a Marine chooses to shack up with a Mamasan in Japan or Korea doesn’t she now rate the same benefits? Or are we setting up a selected class of “partner”?

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- jcldwl
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:32pm
  It’s tough watching this countries once great military fall. I served in the 80′s and am proud to have done so. I would never enlist in our current military. It is just embarrassing to see where it is headed. Sad so sad.
  
  Report this comment
- pll
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:51pm
  You have a good point.
  
  Report this comment
- catty
  Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:50am
  You guys keep making the argument for same sex marriage. Keep it up!
  
  Report this comment
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:24pm
.
Lickety Split or Poking Behind I don’t want to pay for either. I’d just as soon shove them back in the closet they crawled out of, lock it and throw away the key…..

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woodyee
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:22pm
Just another in a long list of reasons to revamp the efd-up tax code; I don’t want to pay for that $h1t!

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AboveMyPayGrade
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:15pm
While this LATEST slap in the face to our military OUTRAGES me, it also COMFORTS me, for this reason:

I regard it as just MORE insurance that if Obama gets a notion to try a dictatorial putsch to become President-for-Life and tries to get the military to support (or at least stand passively by on) such a power move, he will get the epiphany of his life when he learns that the same military he has insulted, demeaned and abused since Day 1 of his presidency will NOT be on his side in such an endeavor – and there’s a good chance that it will be the VERY LAST epiphany of Obama’s life.

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- encinom
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:25pm
  How is making sure the spouses of all those that serve are taken care of a slap in the face. The only ones that see this as being wrong are bigots hiding behind their bibles. Sally Ride, a national hero, when she died, her long time partner ws denied the benefits that others would receive.
  
  Its clear right wing christians have no love of country and would rather destroy the republic and the freedoms it promises and replace it with a Taliban styled theocracy.
- ModerationIsBest
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 9:44pm
  @ENCINOM
  
  You got it.
  
  These hypocrites that stand on their platform and say “WE SUPPORT ISRAEL!” “WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!” “LIBERTY! FREEDOM!”
  
  and then in the next sentence disparage our troops and try to stop two consenting adults from entering into the same relationship that they are granted.
  
  Either allow homosexuals to marry, or have every heterosexual married couple turn in their marriage certificate and get issued a civil union(which homosexuals would be allowed as well).
  
  If a couple wants to get “married” in their church, it’s between them, their church and their god but won’t be recognized anywhere for any government reason.
  
  Report this comment
Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:00pm
Anything to encourage waste, fraud and abuse. Obamacare, stimulus, green energy, crony capitalism, Printing, borrowing, spending spending, spending.

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- kenboo1
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:15pm
  Does anyone see this as offensive??? I am getting to pay for this crap… So are you…
  
  Report this comment
- encinom
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:22pm
  The spouses of service men and women have always received benefits, why should bible based bigotry exclude one group? Sally Ride, an American hero, her long time partner was denied death benefits. Its only the bible thumping bigots that have a problem with this.
- Outlaw_Josey_Wales
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:09pm
  @ENCINOM
  I’m proud to be a “Bible Thumping Gun Toting Bigot”
  
  Report this comment
- DoseofReality
  Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:51am
  Outlaw – Im sure you are – I know your type. Just know that your time is at an end…..thats why there is so much anger amongst your ilk…becasue you know its true. other people will actually be able to have the same rights as you and it terrifies you do to your own insecurities….you wont admint how scared you are here, but you know it in your heart. You feel like your losing the country, but the country isnt lost, its just slipping away from tired old hate filled bigoted hands. I know its a tough change and luckily a lot of your type are old and dying and are being replaced by people who are tolerant, compassionate and confident enough in themselves to not spread your brand of hatred.
  
  Report this comment
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 4:52pm
So Obama favors same-sex partnership and yet scorns our veterans across the board. Hypocrisy as usual.

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- Keatonc33
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:07pm
  Hows that? please explain
  
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- DoseofReality
  Posted on February 12, 2013 at 11:52am
  How does he scorn our veterans across the board again?
  
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ZAP
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 4:50pm
They need insurance for when their bung holes wear out……

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- kenboo1
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:16pm
  Never heard of ********* insurance….
  
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FlagWavingPatriot
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 4:49pm
Puke.

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- dosdelgados
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:56pm
  No. They are Sandra Fluke types with a gimme gimme mentality and a rock the boat agenda. The military is NOT the place for social experiments.
  
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- Keatonc33
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:05pm
  Or for the repeated wear and tear of service and the occasional gun shoot wounds they face to protect you while you sit on your A$$ complaining that they get benefits.
  
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- encinom
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 7:02pm
  You are not a patriot, just a bigot, small minded, hate filled fool. The real Patriots are the LGBT vets that serve to protect an ungrateful arse like yourself, they served when their relationships were outlawed. They served with honor, something those that use the bible to hide their bigotry do not understand.
  
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- thegreatcarnac
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 8:38pm
  Encinom,…you pretend to take the “high road” in this discussion but in reality you are in the gutter with the rest of your ‘no-standard’ lib-trash. Whether you believe or not……you are hastening judgement on this nation from God.
  
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- TheGrtDcptn
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 11:13pm
  Imagine that, those who call others ‘bigot’ are the same ones who spit in the face of veterans…
  
  Burn the Flag…
  Shred the Constitution/Bill of Rights…
  HATE the 2nd Amendment…
  Deny God…
  
  …etc etc…the party of hypocrisy knows no bounds…
  
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SquidVetOhio
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 4:47pm
Well, Tri-Care just got a lot more expensive. What’s considered a “partner”? Does this mean you no longer have to be married to get VHA/BAQ if you’re straight?

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- dosdelgados
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:48pm
  Exactly. And appointments are difficult to get as it is, because the payments to providers keep decreasing. I had a specialist appointment Friday, and that appointment was scheduled in November of last year.
  
  And did you read the article of the SEAL who ACTUALLY took out bin Laden (contrary to lib narrative, Obama did not kill him)…he gets NOTHING for his service.
  
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Keatonc33
Posted on February 11, 2013 at 4:46pm
Good Job Government! These heroes are just as deserving as any others!

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- ZAP
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:17pm
  ^^^^^^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H2VLCkoZKY ^^^^^^
  
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- SquidVetOhio
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:21pm
  No. We all just hate ENCINOM. Everything else is dislike.
  
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- SquidVetOhio
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:25pm
  @ENCINOM
  
  All of your “LGBT Vets” up until a year were all self-admitted liars and should have been other-than-honorably discharged and any security clearances revoked since they withheld blackmail-able information that put our country at risk. See PFC. Bradley Manning….
  
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- Keatonc33
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 5:48pm
  HAHAHA!!! my bad encinom… I need to work on that!
  
  Rev 22:20 “and surely i’ll come quickly”
  
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- encinom
  Posted on February 11, 2013 at 6:58pm
  I guess when you speak the truth on the Blaze you get censored.
  
  The typical Beckerhead is a hate filled bigot, bashing patriotic Americans who serve their country and using the bible to justify their hate.
  
  The true patriots are the LGBT vets that served despite laws against them, not the hate filled few they seek to destroy the republic and the freedoms it promises and replace it with a Christian, Taliban styled theocracy.
  
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