Is it an effort to make international amends? Or avoid getting sued? Gen. John Sheehan, the former NATO commander, is v. v. sorry for claiming Dutch’s gay soldiers were responsible for that Bosnian war massacre.
“To be clear, the failure on the ground in Srebrenica was in no way the fault of the individual soldiers,” Sheehan writes in an apology letter written to Dutch Army Gen. General Henk van den Breemen. “I am sorry that my recent public recollection of those discussions of 15 years ago inaccurately reflected your thinking on some specific social issues in the military. It is also regrettable that I allowed you to be pulled into a public debate.”
S’cool, Johnny boy. It’s just, like, you wouldn’t want anyone blaming civilian deaths on immutable characteristics, like your Irish heritage.
Mike in Asheville, nee "in Brooklyn"
Where’s the apology to the gay and lesbian servicemembers?
Where’s the apology to Dutch and American militaries?
Where’s the apology to the gay and lesbian community?
Where’s the apology to the American people?
Where’s the apology to Congress?
So much for “courage” and “leadership” from a one-time 3 star general. He went to Congress, told his lies, smeared the good gay and lesbian members of the military for the whole world to witness, and then “apologizes” in private and only to the man the liar claimed told him the lies. That is being a coward.
Now that is certainly a better explanation as to what went wrong in Bosnia; cowards at the helm.
Mike in Asheville, nee "in Brooklyn"
Where’s the apology to the gay and lesbian servicemembers?
Where’s the apology to Dutch and American militaries?
Where’s the apology to the gay and lesbian community?
Where’s the apology to the American people?
Where’s the apology to Congress?
So much for “courage” and “leadership” from a one-time 3 star general. He went to Congress, told his lies, smeared the good gay and lesbian members of the military for the whole world to witness, and then “apologizes” in private and only to the man the liar claimed told him the lies. That is being a coward.
Now that is certainly a better explanation as to what went wrong in Bosnia; a coward at the helm.
Mike in Asheville, nee "in Brooklyn"
Sorry about the double post; tried to change “cowards” to “a coward”.
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Of course there is also a very shining silver lining here: too many times outrageous and absurd derogatory comments about LGBT are made and go unchallenged in the mainstream media. Here, we could not have planned a better result. Anti-DADAT repealers were going to testify before Congress spewing their hateful opinions. This time, the big fish got caught and now tarnishes all the anti-repealers. Gay Inc. couldn’t have planned a better result. “Out of the mouths of bigots…..”
Cam
So then, was he lying? Was he making something up? None of these bullshit “I’m sorry you were upset” apologies. He’s just trying to get out of being sued since they were ready to file against him. I hope the Dutch demand a more specific wording.
terrwill
I am sure there are many retired/active soldiers who have proudly and valiently served their country, the same age of this hateful, vile, reprehensive . I would love to see one of those “uncooridnated, sloppy soldiers” kick the stuffing out of this vile asshat……….
Jaroslaw
anyone got a link to what he actually said? Thx
Jaroslaw
of course, I mean the original statement, not the apology.
robert
A typical non-apology apology. Rather than apologising for insulting the Dutch army, where is his apology for being homophobic? Actually, I’d rather he were brutally honest and admit homophobia was the real reason he made the comments.
Jason
GENERAL FAIL.
dfrw
That’s not an apology.
I am sorry that MY recent public recollection of those discussions of 15 years ago inaccurately reflected YOUR THINKING on some specific social issues in the military.
hf2hvit
PERJURY!
Michael
This general should be held accountable for lying to Congress.