Correct me if I'm misinterpreting your post, but it sounds to me like you think military members should be able to smoke pot if they live in CA. I'm no moralist, so the concept of prostitution doesn't bother me as long as the situation is completely consentual (I.E. no sex slavery or other associated violent crime). That said, it's pretty much always been illegal in this country and we all know that going in when we join the service, so we really don't have any ground to stand on by objecting to people being prosecuted for it. If you don't like the law, then vote for socially progressive politicians. Same thing with the gays. I could care less if two guys want to have sex, but until recently, it was illegal to do so in the military. Everyone who was gay that joined the service before DADT was repealed didn't have a leg to stand on by complaining about the policy. They knew it going in and they volunteered anyway.
As for hypocrisy, that term gets thrown around a lot. Do you really think the leadership is thinking, "Well, I got mine...Fuck 'em." I don't think there are any statistics on the numbers of officers "back in the day" who used prostitutes, but I don't think it's fair to assume that everyone O6 and above did. The leadership isn't responsible for society's changing attitudes. Blame Bill Clinton and Patty Schroeder if you must, but you can't really hold the guys with stars on their collars responsible for that, then cry hypocrisy.
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No Brett, that comment was about a former post where I was told that I should go to Cali and smoke it up since it's legal there. Marijuana is federally illegal, so I have no issues with that being a no-no in the military as well. What I don't like is that prostitution's legality is determined by the states. If it is legal in one state (Nevada), then why tell services members that they can't do a perfectly legal thing?
As far as the hypocrisy goes, we apparently are very concerned about traficking in persons. because prostitution is "inherently harmful....."
"DOD has a zero tolerance policy for prostitution. Evidence shows that prostitution is inherently harmful and dehumanizing, and fuels trafficking in persons, a form of modern day slavery."
Yet, there are several things that we turn a blind eye to, even though they to are inherently harmful. Lets look at alcohol for instance. Now let me start by saying that I DO NOT want you to tell me that I can't go have a drink or 7 if I want to. But I am saying that it is hypocritical of someone, or DOD to say that they are worried about things that are inherently harmful and then tell me that it's OK to drink. Since we are so worried around here about what is good for the Navy at large, and not persons rights, then we have to look at what the consequences of allowing any consumption of alcohol does for the organization. Just think about the lives and costs that would be saved by outlawing drinking. As you have probably recently seen, since we all did that training as well, 70 something percent of Navy sexual assaults are committed with alcohol being consumed by both parties. We could greatly reduce the number of sexual assults, DUIs, and all ARIs by telling our service members that they can no longer do a perfectly legal thing. Simply because that is what's best for big Navy.
I won't even start on tobacco and the costs associated with that. It is hypocritical for leadership to pick and choose what they feel is right. If it's legal for civilians, then it should be legal for all.
Yes RLSO, I know what the policy is and will not break that policy. I have no desire, or need to ever visit a brothel, or whore house or street corner in the shady part of town. I don't have to like the policy though. I will abide by it as I do with all other policies and instructions, but I don't feel it's right to tell people how to live their lives.
