Pace to retain
Joint Chiefs chairman position

Even though the increasingly bloody Iraq war grows more unpopular by the day and despite (or maybe because of) the fact he publicly referred to gays and lesbians as immoral, Marine general Peter Pace appears to be in line for a second term as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In March, Pace told The Chicago Tribune, ''I believe that homosexual acts between individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts. I do not believe that the armed forces of the United States are well served by saying through our policies that it's OK to be immoral in any way.''

As of Thursday, 3,382 American soldiers have been killed in the Iraq war, and 25,242 wounded.

President Bush is expected to nominate Pace for another two-year term. If confirmed, Pace will have served as one of the nations's top two military leaders for eight years, longer than anyone who has served as chairman and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

Pace must receive approval to serve more than six years as either the chair or vice chair. And he must be allowed to serve on active duty beyond age 62, which he turns in November. (The Advocate)