Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 8, 1994 TAG: 9407120021
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By WARREN FISKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ARLINGTON LENGTH: Medium
During a news conference at American Legion Post 139, North also blasted Robb for opposing a constitutional amendment to ban desecration of the American flag and for supporting President Clinton's proposed cuts to the defense budget.
``Chuck Robb has traded in his military uniform for a cheerleader's outfit for the Clinton administration,'' North said, referring to Robb's stint 25 years ago as a Marine officer in Vietnam.
In 1993, Robb supported Clinton's efforts to end a longtime ban against homosexuals joining the armed forces. Under heavy fire from military leaders, Clinton eventually settled on a ``Don't ask, don't tell'' compromise that barred the armed services from inquiring about a recruit's sexual orientation but retained the tradition of making openly homosexual conduct grounds for dismissal.
North, a former Marine lieutenant colonel, has based some of his national fund-raising efforts in recent years on his staunch opposition to allowing gays in the military.
``It debilitates the readiness of small units,'' he said. ``The kinds of relationships forged in combat are intense and cannot afford this type of interruption. ... There are no private bedrooms on a ship.''
Even service members who conceal their homosexuality and are good soldiers should be banned from service, North said.
``It's for the same reasons we don't take diabetics in the military,'' he said. ``You can treat diabetes with insulin. But you don't take them in because of the potential of a problem. Why create another problem in a combat setting?''
Robb, North and independent candidates Douglas Wilder and Marshall Coleman are scheduled to speak Saturday to the American Legion's state convention in Richmond.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB