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Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay-mar

Somerville

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Aw, playing to the basest of their bases

Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay-marriage ban

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas National Guard refused to process requests from same-sex couples for benefits on Tuesday despite a Pentagon directive to do so, while Mississippi won’t issue applications from state-owned offices. Both states cited their respective bans on gay marriage.
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Texas and Mississippi appeared to be the only two states limiting how and where same-sex spouses of National Guard members could register for identification cards and benefits, according to an Associated Press tally. Officials in 13 other states that also ban gay marriage - including Arizona, Oklahoma, Florida, Michigan and Georgia - said Tuesday that they will follow federal law and process all couples applying for benefits the same.

This will end up before the bench in the Supreme Court if the two states don't change their behaviour.
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

Aw, playing to the basest of their bases



This will end up before the bench in the Supreme Court if the two states don't change their behaviour.

Seeing as how same-sex couples cannot be married in those states, they wouldn't be eligible for benefits anyway. What's the problem?
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

Seeing as how same-sex couples cannot be married in those states, they wouldn't be eligible for benefits anyway. What's the problem?

Such couples are eligible for federal benefits even when a state discriminates against them.
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

Seeing as how same-sex couples cannot be married in those states, they wouldn't be eligible for benefits anyway. What's the problem?
The benefits are Federal. They can get their ID at a federal base but the state bases are often closer and where their partners are stationed.
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

Aw, playing to the basest of their bases



This will end up before the bench in the Supreme Court if the two states don't change their behaviour.
Yep, something else to tie up the courts time and energy with.
Got to keep that 3% of "Americans" happy.
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

Such couples are eligible for federal benefits even when a state discriminates against them.

Is it Texas or Fed Gov. paying for these benefits? I will be honest I don't know how the National Guard works since apparently each state runs it's own unit? Trying to understand here. Is it the "National Guard" or the "Texas National Guard"????
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

The benefits are Federal. They can get their ID at a federal base but the state bases are often closer and where their partners are stationed.

Then let them go out of the state to get processed.
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

Then let them go out of the state to get processed.
You misunderstand. All they have to do is go to a Federal base. Texas has both and the benefits work at both. It's just getting the ID which is the issue. Does that alter your view?
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

Seeing as how same-sex couples cannot be married in those states, they wouldn't be eligible for benefits anyway. What's the problem?

What's the problem?
Many brave soldiers, gay and lesbian, have given their lives in battle for their country and countrymen. Many have returned home from war scarred for life, and you have the audacity to ask, "What's the problem?"
Perry's inept performance and air of nebbish morality has rendered him a buffoon, and all those who follow him are going no where. He could not even remember his own platform when he was running for president.
I find you and those like you to be an embarrassment to the human race.
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

Is it Texas or Fed Gov. paying for these benefits? I will be honest I don't know how the National Guard works since apparently each state runs it's own unit? Trying to understand here. Is it the "National Guard" or the "Texas National Guard"????



The national guard is a federally funded org. The state guard is a state funded org. They aren't the same thing.
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

What's the problem?
Many brave soldiers, gay and lesbian, have given their lives in battle for their country and countrymen. Many have returned home from war scarred for life, and you have the audacity to ask, "What's the problem?"
Perry's inept performance and air of nebbish morality has rendered him a buffoon, and all those who follow him are going no where. He could not even remember his own platform when he was running for president.
I find you and those like you to be an embarrassment to the human race.

That is all irrelevant to Gay "marriage and benefits"
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

The national guard is a federally funded org. The state guard is a state funded org. They aren't the same thing.

Right so why is the article calling it the "Texas National Guard" that is where the confusion comes in for me.
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

If the marriage is federally recognized, and the National guard is federally funded, then married members of the national guard should get all federal benefits.
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

Right so why is the article calling it the "Texas National Guard" that is where the confusion comes in for me.

Every state has a national guard, Texas also has a state guard. I would assume that the article is talking about the Texas national guard, which is federally funded.

This may help. I know it's wiki, but it has a good overview of the two.
Texas Military Forces - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

What's the problem?
Many brave soldiers, gay and lesbian, have given their lives in battle for their country and countrymen. Many have returned home from war scarred for life, and you have the audacity to ask, "What's the problem?"
Perry's inept performance and air of nebbish morality has rendered him a buffoon, and all those who follow him are going no where. He could not even remember his own platform when he was running for president.
I find you and those like you to be an embarrassment to the human race.

Many soldiers in general have given their lives. Why do you insist on defending only the minority? I have a disabled veteran friend who is not getting the medical treatment he needs because the federal government refuses to pay for it. I would be more inclined to fight for the rights of our military members in general because my agenda doesn't color my view of preferential treatment based on sexuality.

Lolabird, you've got a lot of moxy to be embarassed as a representative of the human race based on someone else's opinion on just how far we should be bending over backward to satisfy a small percentage of the population. It's not that we don't care about people who are gay, it's that we don't think less of those who are not. If you want to fight inequities you might be best served to address one that doesn't highlight your obvious narrow view.
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

If the marriage is federally recognized, and the National guard is federally funded, then married members of the national guard should get all federal benefits.

No one is saying they shouldn't. If it is a federal issue then go to a federal base for the ID you seek.
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

Every state has a national guard, Texas also has a state guard. I would assume that the article is talking about the Texas national guard, which is federally funded.

This may help. I know it's wiki, but it has a good overview of the two.
Texas Military Forces - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

No that definitely helps. I don't understand why each state has it's own "national guard" though. Doesn't make too much sense..

But then with your post, federal benefits should be recognized for same-sex couples who are legally married (even though I do not recognize their marriage). That is equal and fair. (See I'm not completely heartless)
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

Aw, playing to the basest of their bases

This will end up before the bench in the Supreme Court if the two states don't change their behaviour.

The National Guard belongs to the State, not the Federal government. As such they can certainly ignore the Pentagon's directive.
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

Two of the most backwards states in that nation. Why is anyone surprized?
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

The national guard is a federally funded org. The state guard is a state funded org. They aren't the same thing.

Actually the State National Guard is both. Generally speaking the big ticket items for any state's NG are provided by the feds. Tanks, planes, missile systems, and the like. Funding is hugely lopsided toward federal money- 70 fed dollars to 1 state dollar according to the Alabama National Guard.

It is interesting some dozen states with SSM bans are going to go along with federal law on this but not Texas and Mississippi.

Now where a NG soldier can get an ID. Most units don't have 'bases' like the RA. They have the iconic armory in many towns through out the state. There is a very small cadre of full time Guardsmen- most paid for by the Feds- who perform caretaker duties between Drill weekends but I know the now closed Walters Armory didn't have the administrative equipment to issue IDs. You had to go to Ft. Sill- an RA post.
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

Two of the most backwards states in that nation. Why is anyone surprized?

Backwards relative to what? Your world view?

Tim-
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

The National Guard belongs to the State, not the Federal government. As such they can certainly ignore the Pentagon's directive.

No. Federally funded, jointly ran since 1903.
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

Yep, something else to tie up the courts time and energy with.
Got to keep that 3% of "Americans" happy.

Why in the hell did you put the word "Americans" in quotes?
 
Re: Texas, Miss. National Guards won’t give same-sex benefits at some sites, cite gay

Many soldiers in general have given their lives. Why do you insist on defending only the minority? I have a disabled veteran friend who is not getting the medical treatment he needs because the federal government refuses to pay for it. I would be more inclined to fight for the rights of our military members in general because my agenda doesn't color my view of preferential treatment based on sexuality.

Lolabird, you've got a lot of moxy to be embarassed as a representative of the human race based on someone else's opinion on just how far we should be bending over backward to satisfy a small percentage of the population. It's not that we don't care about people who are gay, it's that we don't think less of those who are not. If you want to fight inequities you might be best served to address one that doesn't highlight your obvious narrow view.

How is doing the same as for others "bending over backwards"? How is addressing the topic of the thread ignoring any injured vets? You have a lit of moxy to attack some one for standing up for the rights of others. That you did it poorly makes it even worse.
 
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