US court orders halt to gay military ban

[Gerald]

A US appeals court has ordered the Obama administration to stop enforcing the ban on allowing gay men and women serving openly in the military.

The Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals lifted a previous ruling which allowed the government to continue enforcing the "don't ask, don't tell" law (DADT).

President Barack Obama has repealed DADT, allowing gay military members to be open about their sexuality.

But the law is still being enforced while the Pentagon drafts new rules.
'Change of hardships'

A three-judge panel at the court in San Francisco said DADT must be lifted because the Obama administration concluded in December 2010 that it was unconstitutional to treat gay Americans differently under the law.

"The circumstances and balance of hardships have changed, and [the government] can no longer satisfy the demanding standard for issuance of a stay," the panel said.

The panel noted that Congressional lawmakers repealed the ban on gay military personnel in December and that the Pentagon is in the process of writing new rules for the policy.

The "don't ask, don't tell" law forbids gay soldiers from acknowledging their sexual orientation.

The removal of the ban on gay members of the military came in response to a motion brought by Log Cabin Republicans, an organisation for gay Republican Party members.

Last year, the group persuaded a lower court judge in California to declare the ban, which was formally adopted in 1993, unconstitutional.

But the government appealed US District Judge Virginia Phillips' decision, and the Ninth Circuit Court agreed to keep the policy in place until it could consider the case.

Officials at the Pentagon said on Wednesday they would comply with the court order and inform commanders in the field.

Gay advocates said an appeal from the Pentagon on the ruling is unlikely, considering the Obama administration is committed to repealing the policy.

"The ruling... removes all uncertainty," said Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director R Clarke Cooper.

"American servicemembers are no longer under threat of discharge as the repeal implementation process goes forward," he added.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14056365


Note: 6 July 2011 Last updated at 22:27 GMT

[Osmium Steele]

Another unsurprising, overly-hasty ruling by the 9th Circus.

I'm still at a loss to figure out how repealing DADT allows homosexuals to serve openly. The UCMJ, under article 125, specifically forbids sodomy.

Until that definition is changed, as the Pentagon is in the process of doing, repealing DADT allows the command structure to court-martial anyone suspected of homosexual behavior.

Now, whether or not any neanderthals press the issue is another subject entirely.

[Alex]

That stuff happens where it does, and this is an excuse in itself.
"American servicemembers are no longer under threat of discharge
That may be due to the litteral translation of that sentence I've got to make, but I find this part to be especially funny.

:har: :har: :har: :har:

[Ducimus]

I remember when this little ditty had photo copies plastered in every shop, in every base i can remember being on:


Ballad of the Queen Berets
[tune of "Ballad of the Green Berets"]

Falling fairies from the sky;
I broke a nail, oh I could cry!
Don't you like how my tush sways?
We are the Fags of the Queen Berets!
Bill Clinton's words upon our ears,
"You guys have rights, be proud you're queers!"
I once was scared, now I'm Okay,
Cause I'm a fag in the Queen Berets.
Put silver earclips on our nuts;
We love the pain, now spank our butts!
The way you walk is awfully cute;
I sure would love to pack your chute!
Back at home, a young wife waits,
Her Queen Beret just won't go straight;
For his team he stays undressed,
Spreads his legs, and lies on his chest.
This Army stuff is really slick;
Free clothes, bunk beds, and lots of dicks.
When we retire, we'll still get paid;
We thank you, Bill, from the Queen Berets!

[Anthony W.]

Seriously, I refuse to shower with dudes who will get erections at the sight of other men.

That is awkward, uncomfortable, (in some cases dangerous), and just not right.

How difficult is it to get a transfer? Since I'm going into the USAF in 2 years or less.

[AVGWarhawk]

(in some cases dangerous)


:hmmm:


How so?

[CaptainMattJ.]

Seriously, I refuse to shower with dudes who will get erections at the sight of other men.

That is awkward, uncomfortable, (in some cases dangerous), and just not right.

How difficult is it to get a transfer? Since I'm going into the USAF in 2 years or less.
Any form of sexual activity, including coming on to other people is strictly forbidden. so if he restrains himself, like many straight men fail to do while being around woman service members, then there shouldnt be a problem. If they act like an all out homosexual all the time, then yes, theres a problem. otherwise, they should be respected as fellow members of the armed service and fellow brothers/sisters in arms.

Its not like straight guys tend to keep it to themselves when around woman in the military.

Im totally fine with gay servicemen and woman around me. So long as they dont express their feelings to me or anyone else then there shouldnt be a problem.

[Platapus]

I'm still at a loss to figure out how repealing DADT allows homosexuals to serve openly. The UCMJ, under article 125, specifically forbids sodomy.


Because one is an activity and the other is a sexual preference.

Adultery is also in the UCMJ but how often people prosecuted over that?



Seriously, I refuse to shower with dudes who will get erections at the sight of other men.

Why would you assume that a homosexual will get an erection at the sight of another man? Do you get an erection at every woman you see naked? :nope:

[antikristuseke]

Seriously, I refuse to shower with dudes who will get erections at the sight of other men.

That is awkward, uncomfortable, (in some cases dangerous), and just not right.

How difficult is it to get a transfer? Since I'm going into the USAF in 2 years or less.

So it was fine when homosexuals served without disclosing their sexuality, but now that they can actually say that they are in fact homosexuals you have a problem?
Does not compute.

[Platapus]

Trust me, if you showered with people in the military, you showered with someone who was gay... and nothing happened.

I was room mates with a homosexual when I was in Korea... nothing happened. It is going to be OK.

Do you really think that once DADT is finally abolished that all the gays will be broadcasting their sexuality? Gays will continue doing what they have been doing for decades/centuries in the military. Keeping a low profile and seeking out like minded people.

[Anthony W.]

Im totally fine with gay servicemen and woman around me. So long as they dont express their feelings to me or anyone else then there shouldnt be a problem.

Agreed. I forgot to say that.

[August]

Why would you assume that a homosexual will get an erection at the sight of another man? Do you get an erection at every woman you see naked? :nope:

Women who are young and fit enough to be serving in the military? You betcha. :up:

[Anthony W.]

Women who are young and fit enough to be serving in the military? You betcha. :up:

Same.

[Madox58]

You go out in the Field long enuff, under Combat Conditions?
They don't have to be fit enuff for the Military nor real young!
Just naked.
:03:

[Rockstar]

I'll betchya dollars to donuts Herr-Berbunch is in contact with a recruiter as we speak. :D

[Madox58]

:hmmm:
(in some cases dangerous)

How so?

The only danger would be if one over reacted as I see it.

I shared a room with a Guy for 4 years who was Gay.
He told me and I didn't mind at all and I kept his secret.
He never once approached me nor attacked me and was a very valued Mate.
He was as Strack a Trooper as I ever had the Honor to serve with.
And I'd go into Combat anywhere on this Planet with a Thousand like him
and not miss a second of sleep!

[frau kaleun]

I'll betchya dollars to donuts Herr-Berbunch is in contact with a recruiter as we speak. :D

Hey, enlisting gays is one thing. But we don't want no dang socialist U-ro-pean redcoats in these here Murrican armed forces. :O:

[Stealhead]

The really funny thing is that for years the policy was basically "don't ask don't tell",I know back in WWII,Korea,Vietnam they asked you straight to your face if you where gay if you said yes they kicked you out that means that the guys who where gay but wanted to serve and did not meet the "girly" or "out of control gay" stereotypes lied and said that they liked women and they never got found out by those that had the power to punish them.

The UCMJ makes sodomy illegal though I recall back in basic my instructor informed us that basically the UCMJ sodomy rule makes many things that you might do with a woman illegal as well. Someone raised his hand and said,"So my girlfriend cant give me a ***********?" the Instructor replied,
"Just don't do it in the middle of the street on base there is a reason they invented doors and bedrooms."

Anthony is a bit overly fearful about showers in basic training you are going to be surrounded by 90 or so dudes from all over the US and world(there where guys that had come from as far afield as South Africa
and the Ukraine in my flight.) from various cultures and you are going to be under so much stress no one is gong to get a hard on they will be saving that for the liberty that you get at the end of basic and there girl friend.If there happen to be any gays in your flight you will never know about it if they are gay they are not going to openly tell anyone until they get to an active duty base which is the first point in your military where you are going to be staying put long enough to find out who you can really trust and trust me you need to look out for the Airman that are dirt bags and backstabbers other trouble makers not which ones might be gay.

I can still recall there was this extremely attractive active duty girl she just an Airman First Class herself that worked in the CQ under normal conditions I'd have been a bit excited to say the least if the situation had been right but under the stress of basic I think she would have been a bit disappointed but a couple of weeks later on that liberty....that was a different story then and I was no longer technically a trainee and that hot little A1C babe was no longer off limits on Friday and Saturday I just dropped her a slick note that no TI noticed the week beforehand.

I also had friends in units that where gay or bi the gay ones never hit on any men while on duty or any men they knew to be straight on duty or off duty ever.One guy I happened to see him off base on the street with another man it was pretty clear the situation and I guess he was fearful that I was going to say that I had seen him but I did not say anything even though at that time it did really revolt me a bit at first then I figured that I got along fine with this person when I did not know so what really was the difference he seemed pretty relived that I did not tell others.This guy was very manly and I would never have guessed that he was gay other wise and I was not 100% sure until he told me a few days after I had seen him on the street.

[AngusJS]

Seriously, I refuse to shower with dudes who will get erections at the sight of other men.Your high school had a gym, right? You probably already have.

I'm sure the experience was devastating.

[Anthony W.]

Your high school had a gym, right? You probably already have.

I'm sure the experience was devastating.

Nope. I went to a Catholic HS.

[Stealhead]

Then the gay to straight ratio was higher than normal I bet.:har:


Do you honestly think that because you go to a Catholic School that there are no gay students there?You might as well reduce your phobia a bit because in any society there are going to be gay people open about it or not.I am not saying that you have to go and hug the next gay 50 year old man that you pass in the street but you could lower you worry level a bit because you are going to be around some gays even in the military so if you dont want to be around any you might as well scratch your plans on joining the military because you have no guarantee that you will not be in the presence of a gay person at some point.

By the way if you mention such fears about showering or anything like that to a Training Instructor at basic you can plan on having a pretty good chance of getting washed out of basic
because they are going to assume that something is wrong and send you to a shrink who is going to analyze you in ways that you might not like and then recommend that you get separated. I know from experience a TI heard me say that I was having trouble concentrating and I was standing in his office for 30 minutes explaining what I meant lucky for me he did not think I was wingnut they are trained to look for certain psychological signs so anything is going to get their attention.The only way that would fly is if someone else did something to you and others witnessed it as well otherwise your done.

@AngusJS it must have been it should seem.Also someone regardless of sexual orientation who gets that excited(full arousal) without any physical or indication of possible interaction from the person they are viewing(trying to stay PG13 here) is a very deprived person or very inexperienced.

[Rilder]

Seriously, I refuse to shower with dudes who will get erections at the sight of other men.


Yes because obviously all gay soldiers are sex obsessed perverts who get boners the moment they see a penis. [/sarcasm]

*Facepalm*

[August]

...all gay soldiers are sex obsessed perverts...

We'll see how discrete they are once the official taboo has been removed. Personally I think that not only are you going to see a lot of problems with straights forced to bunk and shower with with gays who don't have to hide their perversion but i think you'll see enlistment and retention becoming issues as well. Then again the people driving this social experiment want the return of the draft anyways so maybe they'll get their wish.

[Betonov]

Too bad the USSR broke up and the cold war ended. At least then people were paranoid about a real threat

[AVGWarhawk]

We'll see how discrete they are once the official taboo has been removed. Personally I think that not only are you going to see a lot of problems with straights forced to bunk and shower with with gays who don't have to hide their perversion but i think you'll see enlistment and retention becoming issues as well.

I would have to agree. We see the concern in this thread with Anthony.

[Feuer Frei!]

There is 1 'concerned' (if you want to call it that) person in this thread.
At the end of the day it comes down to open-mindedness and maturity.
With maturity comes acceptance and respect.
Homophobia is a concern though.
And that is a real issue.
Through ignorance and immaturity, only then will there be 'concerns'.
I think it needed to be done.
Oh, and by the way, rather than straights being forced to shower with gays, gays have been forced to shower with straights too.
But, this is not a turkish bath house we are talking about. It's about seeing things from both sides. Not just the 'straight's side.
Bugs me, that.
Some of the insinuations made are that there are gays who will immediately come out of the woodwork and sart cracking onto the straights! Laughable.
The decision to ban the ban of gays serving is not a go-ahead or a green light for the gays to suddenly think to themselves: Ooh, here we go, we can now flaunt our sexual orientations and be perverts in the showers!
Laughable. Again.

[Osmium Steele]

Because one is an activity and the other is a sexual preference.

Adultery is also in the UCMJ but how often people prosecuted over that?


A sexual preference which, by definition, engages in the activity. Such was the mindset of the pre-DADT command structure.

Homosexuals were not allowed to serve openly prior to DADT. I fear that simply repealing DADT will not allow them to serve openly today.

It is my sincere hope that the command structure has evolved sufficiently to leave them the heck alone.

As to your second point, adultery, given evidence, is commonly used as a throw-away charge in spousal abuse cases and others. Kind of like gun charges in civilian courts.

[Penguin]

We'll see how discrete they are once the official taboo has been removed. Personally I think that not only are you going to see a lot of problems with straights forced to bunk and shower with with gays who don't have to hide their perversion but i think you'll see enlistment and retention becoming issues as well.

Well, you're 4 decades late with the perversion thing ;). The American Psychological Association removed homosexuality from their list of sexual deviations in 1973: http://www.psych.org/Departments/EDU/Library/APAOfficialDocumentsandRelated/PositionStatements/197310.aspx


Then again the people driving this social experiment want the return of the draft anyways so maybe they'll get their wish.

:hmmm: I fail to see a connection here, those look to me like 2 different topics.

[AVGWarhawk]

There is 1 'concerned' (if you want to call it that) person in this thread.



Does not matter. Once person concerned in this thread. There will be many others because of:


Through ignorance and immaturity, only then will there be 'concerns'.



And the world is loaded with immaturity. Much of the immaturity stems from the young recruit? I would say yes. Maturity comes with age. Open-mindedness follows close behind.


Homophobia


A word I never liked. Is there a word for homosexuals that are afraid of straight people? :hmmm:


Some of the insinuations made are that there are gays who will immediately come out of the woodwork and sart cracking onto the straights! Laughable.



Agreed.

We are asked to have some tolerance in the matter. Not asked to agree.

[Tchocky]

We are asked to have some tolerance in the matter. Not asked to agree.

That should be nailed to every thread on this topic :up:

[AVGWarhawk]

That should be nailed to every thread on this topic :up:

Well I'll tell Tchocky, my nephew is gay. He and his partner celebrated the 4th of July on my deck with the rest of our family. Do I agree with this lifestyle? No. I can tolerate, accept and be open-minded. He is after all my nephew. He gets my full support in everything. He certainly does not agree with everyones lifestyle either. However, like me, he accepts and tolerates. Truth be told, he is a productive member of society and that is the bottom line.

The men and women in the military...they are productive soldiers and that is the bottom line.

[August]

:hmmm: I fail to see a connection here, those look to me like 2 different topics.

Retention in an all volunteer force is a big issue. You start telling straights that they have to bunk and shower with gays then that just might affect their decision to enlist.

Not enough volunteers and the draft would have to be re-instituted to fulfill staffing requirements.

[Hottentot]

I've heard muslims are dangerous. And socialists too. I sure hope no honest soldier ever has to serve with any of them either. You never know what when they start praying in the middle of a fight or try to make your weapon and ammunition their common property.

[Penguin]

Retention in an all volunteer force is a big issue. You start telling straights that they have to bunk and shower with gays then that just might affect their decision to enlist.

Not enough volunteers and the draft would have to be re-instituted to fulfill staffing requirements.

well, there are about a billion things in the military which might put off volunteers: uncomfy beds, no playstation for everybody, no good night kisses from mama...:03:

You can't make it right for everybody - when you enlist you buy the whole package. And if someone does not believe in core values like equality - well maybe they chose the wrong country's forces to enlist to.

[AVGWarhawk]

when you enlist you buy the whole package.


Or at least the package the recruiter sells ya! :03:

[Hottentot]

And if someone does not believe in core values like equality - well maybe they chose the wrong country's forces to enlist to.

Exactly what I have been thinking since page 1. Call me a victim of stereotypes (yeah, like I was the first one in this thread), but especially in this case it sounds silly (is that a queer word? OK, amusing then) to talk about the armed forces and then make freedom a freedom to be like everyone else.

"You are all different!"
"Yes! We are all different!"
"I'm not..."
"Hush!"

[August]

well, there are about a billion things in the military which might put off volunteers: uncomfy beds, no playstation for everybody, no good night kisses from mama...:03:

You can't make it right for everybody - when you enlist you buy the whole package. And if someone does not believe in core values like equality - well maybe they chose the wrong country's forces to enlist to.

Says the guy whose nations equal opportunity volunteer army has like 10 people in it.

Like I said our military staffing requirements will be met one way or the other, either with volunteers or draftees.

[Penguin]

Says the guy whose nations equal opportunity volunteer army has like 10 people in it.


a solution could be the re-introduction of the hair-nets: :O:

http://einestages.spiegel.de/hund-images/2011/02/03/25/f5207d449b6863d191bc67d38bc5a37e_image_document_la rge_featured_borderless.jpg

http://einestages.spiegel.de/hund-images/2011/02/03/22/5b19209afd809082e2631154265cca14_image_document_la rge_featured_borderless.jpg

[Rilder]

Like I said our military staffing requirements will be met one way or the other, either with volunteers or draftees.

Yep and if Homosexuals can't serve then everybody who doesn't want to fight will just make out with a guy in front of the person trying to enforce the draft.

[August]

http://einestages.spiegel.de/hund-images/2011/02/03/22/5b19209afd809082e2631154265cca14_image_document_la rge_featured_borderless.jpg

Could you imagine how an old Wehrmacht Feldwebel would react to this guy? :DL

[August]

Yep and if Homosexuals can't serve then everybody who doesn't want to fight will just make out with a guy in front of the person trying to enforce the draft.

Good. Because I wouldn't want to depend on anyone, gay or straight, who doesn't want to serve.

[Thomen]

Could you imagine how an old Wehrmacht Feldwebel would react to this guy? :DL

That's a girl, I would say.. Looks almost like Steffi Graf during DDR (GDR) times. :hmmm:

[Dan D]

No kidding, that is a picture of Steffi Graf, don't you think. Are you from Eastern Germany btw?
I am from Westphalia.

[August]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kQvP_4N8rbw/TSFGW7GZZWI/AAAAAAAAA6U/R4XvPIKiSkM/s320/thats-a-man-baby-austin-powers.jpg

[Thomen]

No kidding, that is a picture of Steffi Graf, don't you think. Are you from Eastern Germany btw?
I am from Westphalia.

Same here, but moved to the US couple of years ago.
Originally from the Laengste Thecke der Welt.. :Kaleun_Cheers:

[gimpy117]

Women who are young and fit enough to be serving in the military? You betcha. :up:

ehh...some of them aren't really the best looking. Butterface?

[August]

ehh...some of them aren't really the best looking. Butterface?

Trust me. No woman, no matter how hideous, has any problem getting laid on an army base.

[Gerald]

True word from a soldier, :cool:

[Feuer Frei!]

Breaking News:

Intent on delaying a new policy allowing gays to serve openly in the armed forces, the House voted Friday to prohibit military chaplains from performing same-sex marriages on the nation's bases regardless of state law.On a 236-184 vote, the House attached the measure to the defense spending bill, one of several steps the Republican-controlled chamber has taken this year to delay President Barack Obama's new policy. Pentagon leaders have said they see no road blocks to ending the 17-year ban, and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is likely to certify the change for midsummer after military training ends.
Still, opposition remains strong in the House.

The measure would block funds to train the Chaplain Corps on the new policy. Huelskamp said the intent was to prevent chaplains from performing same-sex marriages, especially on Navy bases.
"What will happen to chaplains who decline to officiate over same-sex ceremonies?" Huelskamp asked. "The directive states that chaplains `may' perform same-sex civil marriage ceremonies. I fear that chaplains who refuse to perform these ceremonies may find themselves under attack and their careers threatened."
Last month, New York became the sixth state, joining Iowa, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts, to legalize gay marriage along with the District of Columbia.


SOURCE (http://www.military.com/news/article/house-votes-to-halt-gay-unions-on-bases.html)

[Cohaagen]

When the ban on openly gay people serving in the military was lifted in the UK about 10 years ago there was a similar, but far smaller in scale, spate of fear-mongering speculation. In practise, no one really seems to care - if anything squaddies are supportive:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/a-very-modern-military-partnership-1928748.html

As for the idea that flaming homosexuals are incompatible with daily military life, let alone distinguished service, I think the example of "Bunny" Roger, an out-and-out swish who wore make-up and lipstick at the Battle of El Alamein and read "Vogue" during lulls in firefights, disproves this...as does the existence of others such as Micky Burn, Siegfried Sassoon, and many more.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micky_Burn

(Britain in fact unofficially suspended restrictions on gay servicemen during WWII)

August and Anthony W sound like they would have been good interviewees for this hard-hitting documentary some Britons may be familiar with.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3icDB3kRKPg

[Penguin]

No kidding, that is a picture of Steffi Graf, don't you think. Are you from Eastern Germany btw?
I am from Westphalia.

Same here, but moved to the US couple of years ago.
Originally from the Laengste Thecke der Welt.. :Kaleun_Cheers:


As someone still residing in the Dorf at the Düssel, I object to this. Us Rhinelanders have nothing to do with those ugly creatures from Westphalia who are nosy and have a bone in their brain. We are just forced to live together in the same state...:-?

PS: the thing on the b/w picture is really a guy, all sources say it's german (h)air force soldier from 1970/71 The hairnet had only to be worn when the hair obstructs you, on other occasions it was legal to wear it like in the photo - until 1972

[Thomen]

As someone still residing in the Dorf at the Düssel, I object to this. Us Rhinelanders have nothing to do with those ugly creatures from Westphalia who are nosy and have a bone in their brain. We are just forced to live together in the same state...:-?

PS: the thing on the b/w picture is really a guy, all sources say it's german (h)air force soldier from 1970/71 The hairnet had only to be worn when the hair obstructs you, on other occasions it was legal to wear it like in the photo - until 1972

Nice to see someone from my ol' city =)
Well, of course I had to word it carefully. We are still an international community here, and don't want to offend anybody or discriminate.. (*cough* Koeln *cough*).. :D

We should have an Alt or 5 next time I am in town. May take some time, though. :shifty:

[Dan D]

Pfft! Would you please stand up for the "Westfalenlied":

http://ingeb.org/Lieder/westfal1.mid
"Ihr mögt den Rhein, den stolzen, preisen,
Der in dem Schoß der Reben liegt;
Wo in den Bergen ruht das Eisen,
Da hat die Mutter mich gewiegt.
Hoch auf dem Fels die Tannen steh'n,
Im grünen Tal die Herden geh'n,
Als Wächter an des Hofes Saum
Reckt sich empor der Eichenbaum.
|: Da ist's wo meine Wiege stand,
O grüß dich Gott, Westfalenland! :|

2. Wir haben keine süßen Reben
Und schöner Worte Überfluß,
Und haben nicht sobald für jeden
Den Brudergruß und Bruderkuß.
Wenn du uns willst willkommen sein,
So schau auf's Herz, nicht auf den Schein,
Und sieh' uns grad hinein ins Aug!
Gradaus, das ist Westfalenbrauch,
|: Es fragen nichts von Spiel und Tand,
Die Männer im Westfalenland. :|"

[Penguin]

Pfft! Would you please stand up for the "Westfalenlied":

I'm sorry, can't hear you about the sound of the wunderbare, alte Altbierlied (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPjcEmJ-Ufg) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPjcEmJ-Ufg, as we are men of Spiel und Tand :O:

But I have good news fow you, the meist intelligent Forscher of the glorious Rheinische Pepublik have found out that there is cure for the bone in your head: It might disappear when it comes in contact with old beer made from water of the almighty Rhine.


@Agent Thomen, zis ist Agent Pinguin: I recognize the code Alt 1-5, would like to meet you in person and have a sip.
But much has changed since you left the glorious capital of the Rheinische Pepublik. Wir have reports about "Weltfalian activities", at our border. They commit crimes like singing wierd songs to ugly melodies. :o
But: keine Sorge, we have our best guards, the Narren Troopers, patroling:

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/6535/karnevalv.jpg


All captured Weltfalians who don't wear hats, will be tortured by unfunny Büttenreden:

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/8356/buettenrede.jpg

Helau!

PS: in case you haven't tried: Alaskan Amber is the best (and only?) Altbier in North America, pretty tasty - but be aware, it's brewed according to the Münsteraner tradition of Alt brewing...

to have an on-topic closing sentence here:
the more than average attentive reader might noticed that on the right side of the last picture one can spot guy dressed up as a Frau.
That's why we here never wonder about males dressing up as women,
but be aware: wherever you come crom,
however you dress, whoever you ****,
you WILL be made fun of

and that's how we deal with the homos here
- and also with the Neanderthalers, named after a place next to us, who - as we all happen to know - are related to those strange Westfalians. :know:

[frau kaleun]

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/6535/karnevalv.jpg

I'm starting to rethink that whole "I like a man in uniform thing." :hmmm:

[Penguin]

Don't worry, they usually march here only during the fifth season, from November 11 till Ash Wednesday in February or March :)
- the it's time for the festivals of the Schützen:

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/6481/schuetzen.jpg

[frau kaleun]

Don't worry, they usually march here only during the fifth season, from November 11 till Ash Wednesday in February or March :)
- the it's time for the festivals of the Schützen:

http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/6481/schuetzen.jpg

Well, it's true you learn something new every day. I didn't know there were leprechauns in Germany. :O:

[nikimcbee]

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/6535/karnevalv.jpg

I'm starting to rethink that whole "I like a man in uniform thing." :hmmm:

North Pole grenadiers. The candyman brigade.

[frau kaleun]

North Pole grenadiers. The candyman brigade.

Bonus points if they're actually playing "Candyman." :O:

[Betonov]

Oh, nothing beats the goose stepping, skirt wearing, fluffy round thing on their shoes guards of the greek parliament

http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/1971/PreviewComp/SuperStock_1971-3276.jpg

[Penguin]

Oh, nothing beats the goose stepping, skirt wearing, fluffy round thing on their shoes guards of the greek parliament


That's what the Greeks stole from John Cleese :03:
http://www.merchandisingplaza.co.uk/images/products/9785/img2.jpg


But we have weird dances also:

Exclusive for Frau Kaleun: men in uniform rubbing their behinds together, as a part of a traditional dance on carnival: :o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctNq5siJRcw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFneZYfEQfQ

don't know if this can be considered nsfw :haha:

[frau kaleun]

But we have weird dances also:

Exclusive for Frau Kaleun: men in uniform rubbing their behinds together, as a part of a traditional dance on carnival: :o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctNq5siJRcw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFneZYfEQfQ

don't know if this can be considered nsfw :haha:

And in Beethoven's hometown no less. OH THE SHAME! :nope: :O:

[Feuer Frei!]

We can safely assume this thread is dead and buried now :haha:

[antikristuseke]

Oh the misguided optimism on youth...