And so it begins...

[Scooter]

[Big RR]

Ok Big RR, I'll bite. What was it that led you to have some respect for Sessions in the first place?

Cool name?

[RayThom]

Or maybe you like cookies.

[Scooter]

This is the association I make:

[BoSoxGal]

Such an insult to Gollum . . .

[Big RR]

[BoSoxGal]

[Bicycle Bill]

Thanks, Donny!!



Klinger had to buy dresses, hats, heels, and purses to try to get out of the army; now all he'd have to do is declare that he was a pre-operational transsexual and he'd be on his way home by the time the bugler blew 'Taps' that night.

-"BB"-

[Econoline]

[Lord Jim]

Apparently Mattis and the Pentagon had no idea this was coming...The DOD issued a statement directing all questions about the tweet back to the White House...

It's another desperate and transparent attempt on Il Boobce's part to change the subject from Russiagate...

[Guinevere]

Yep. He is tossing red meat to his flank.

In the meantime, I'm tossing another donation to the ACLU, who have promised to defend any active trans serviceman or servicewoman who seeks their help.

Linky here if you want to help out: https://action.aclu.org/secure/donate-to-aclu

[Lord Jim]

He is tossing red meat to his flank.

Especially to the religious-right portion of his support, who haven't been happy with his attacks on Sessions...

[Guinevere]

*None* of us are happy about his attacks on Sessions. Except maybe wes. I'm sure he can "justify" it.

[Burning Petard]

When did it become appropriate for a military commander to check the public internet for orders? What is the security classification for such commands?

Can the Joint Chiefs of Staff simply ignore them until something comes thru the normal chain of command? If the 'Tweet' is effective immediately, does a transsexual, E3 and below, get removed from the duty roster immediately? Do they need to help clean the barracks? Can they just walk off post and never look back?

Do the transsexuals currently serving get an Honorable Discharge?

snailgate

[Guinevere]

Joint chiefs issue a statement saying no changes in policy and they will treat all servicemembers with respect. Good for them!

Trumpanzee must be pissed, and confused, since he has no clue the meaning of the word "respect."

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/2 ... 9?cmpid=sf

[ex-khobar Andy]

Some grown ups in the house, obviously. But in the meantime DOJ issues arguments that federal civil rights laws do not protect gay and lesbian employees against workplace discrimination. I am not a lawyer; so it may well be that DOJ is right. If the second sentence in the declaration were 'and we will take all feasible steps to remedy this gap in the regulations ASAP' I would feel much better. Any sneaking sympathy I have felt for the 'beleaguered' Sessions has evaporated.

[Guinevere]

Have not read their brief or arguments, but I did see somewhere today that the amicus brief submitted was not signed by any career civil service DOJ attorney, only the political staff. For whatever good that may do (if true)....

[Sue U]

Here's a a link to the brief. Not sure why they're bothering with the Second Circuit (where they will almost certainly lose) when there are already conflicting decisions out of the 11th (Evans v. Georgia Regional Hosp.) and 7th (Hively v. Ivy Tech), with Evans ready to go up on petition to SCOTUS. (BTW, the 7th Cir. opinion was written by my personal All-Time Number One Choice for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Diane Wood, with a concurring opinion by always-the-smartest-guy-in-the-room and most-of-the-time-a-staunch-conservative Richard Posner.)

[Econoline]

Quote from Roger Barr (via David Gerrold on Facebook):

• Q. What's the difference between Pres. Donald J. Trump and a transgender soldier?
  A. Only one of them had the balls to serve.

[RayThom]

... Q. What's the difference between Pres. Donald J. Trump and a transgender soldier?
A. Only one of them had the balls to serve.

I'm confused. What if it's a soldier -- born female -- who feels more masculine? He would have no balls but with the desire to serve his country.