Semper fi — but not for Gen. James Amos

It’s time that President Obama fire Marine Commandant Gen. James Amos for insubordination.

Amos is way out of line in his opposition to repeal of “Don’t ask, don’t tell.”

After all, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs says it’s time to end the policy. So
does the secretary of Defense. And the commander in chief. That’s not just official
administration policy, that’s official military policy, which Amos is bound by oath
to obey and follow.

Yet Amos continues to speak out openly against repeal of “Don’t ask, don’t
tell.” And not just before congressional committees. He told reporters in his private
Pentagon dining room on Dec. 14 that allowing gays to serve in the military would
actually cause service members in Iraq or Afghanistan to lose their legs in battle
— because they’d be so “distracted” by having gay troops serving beside them.

That is, first of all, total nonsense. When they’re under fire from the Taliban,
the last thing any soldier would be worried about is whether the buddy alongside
of him, firing back at the enemy, happened to be gay or straight.

But it’s more than that. It’s also pure insubordination. What ever happened to the
chain of command? Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, by refusing to obey
the orders of his commanding officers, Gen. Amos could be tried, found guilty, stripped
of his rank and sent to the brig.

Last year, President Obama didn’t hesitate to fire Gen. Stanley McChrystal when
he made disparaging comments about both the president and vice president. What’s
he waiting for now? He should not hesitate to fire Gen. James Amos, for a much more
serious offense.

Visit Mr. Press’s website at billpressshow.com.