http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/4ae8d36a3102598f/4b6b73092172a8b2/4ae8d36a3102598f/7b79e43e/-cpid/f3dc95bfbd4dfc26So Obama has once again declared he’ll repeal Clinton’s (Bill’s, that is) “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy. Seems to me that the spirit of that ridiculousness sparked Vegas’ “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” ad campaign. Um, as if we just don’t talk about it, it doesn’t matter. Yeah, tell that to your jilted bride who’s gonna get a mad case of herpes thanks to your hedonistic indiscretions.
Besides that, so much for the whole equality thing. What a novel concept anyway. Have we really seen that work in any realm? I mean really, we wouldn’t have Title IX, affirmative action, and so on if Equality really mattered. “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” is just one more cog in that stifling machine. I’m thinking that “separate but equal” more closely aligns with where our country has socially been pointing its nose. Then again, based on the raving rants and roars by the likes of a tub bellied arse named Rush and a becurled beauty queen named Sarah, I’d say our nose, theirs and their minions’ at least, is pointing elsewhere.
Hear’s hoping that Obama makes some headway on the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.” I’m applauding his wisdom with a drink.
Oh, and lest you think this is not a real drink, allow me to point you to page 214 of the fine book The Daily Cocktail that my dear friend Kate gave me.
Gay Marine
few sprigs of fresh mint
4 – 5 lime wedges
1 T sugar
1/2 ounce Grand Marnier
1 1/2 ounces Mount Gay Barbados rum
1 – 2 ounces apple juice (Surely every parent of young kids has this on hand!)
In a silver (or at least stainless steel) cocktail shaker, muddle a few sprigs of mint, the lime wedges, sugar, and Grand Marnier. Add some crushed ice and pour in the rum. Stir and top off with the apple juice. Serve in an old fashioned glass with some mint and a lime wedge as garnish.
Cheers to ALL those patriots who serve loyally, courageously, dutifully.
So lots of thoughts come to mind about the don't ask/tell (DADT) policy. I'm afraid I'm stuck in the middle on this one:
1)I have gay friends and relatives who I love, and accept, and would *totally* support their military service (although none of them chose that career path).
2) My dad served almost 30 years in the military.
I've always thought of the DADT policy as being protective of gays: they won't be harassed/forced to tell if they are indeed gay (seriously, sometimes you can just tell without asking)especially if they choose to keep that info private.
It seems they'd be less likely to be mocked, ridiculed etc if they didn't have to worry about it. Who cares!? You're an American fighting beside me, so it's all good. Did I mention I like broccoli and gummi bears!?
On the other hand, there's an unfortunate number of homophobic people out there and because of their upbringing, religion, [insert other reason here]. I'm thinking they are going to be the ones making comments like "I'm not showering with HIM/HER if (s)he's GAY!!"
So what to do? How do we protect EVERYone – gays, women, broccoli and candy lovers – from rude comments regarding gender, sexual orientation or food preferences?
I don't know what the answer is. While doing away with/modifying the DADT policy will give gays more normalization for their life choices (meaning, nobody is making a big deal of it) the initial response or backlash may be negative.
Some congress/senate dude is pushing for a slow change, slow reform in the policy. Maybe that's not a bad idea. On the other hand, it's sad that any homosexual man or woman who wants to serve this country with as much bravery and courage as any heterosexual has, will have to continue to hide their identity, be untrue to their own selves, and act like someone they are not (hetero).
Intelligent responses to this: aside from not recognizing gays as regular people and making a big deal of homosexuality, why is the DADT policy a bad thing? Isn't the idea/spirit behind the policy to say "It really doesn't matter" ???
Or does it go along with the policy that gays are prohibited from serving in general?
Oh yum on the drink.
Here-here! (I'm flying solo as a parent this weekend, so I'm toasting you with coffee)
If there really was such a thing as equality, no one would notice sex, race, creed, sexual orientation, because there wouldn't BE such a thing. We'd all be clones.
The fun thing about life is that we ARE all different.
Equality before the law, however, is paramount, colorblind, sexblind (oh, that would be nice), sexual-orientation blind, and religion/lack-thereof blind. NOT going to happen in my lifetime. But I can dream.
I may not live in a country where an atheist (or a gay man, for that matter) can get elected to the presidency, but I do live in a country where I can loudly proclaim that it should be possible–and that's largely thanks to our guys, gay or straight, and women, gay or straight, who protect that right. Even if they're being discriminated against.
Sounds yummeh.
I call myself indie & am registered Decline to State, but I'm very very Left when it comes to Civil Rights for All. 😉
Glad the book could provide you inspiration and for a worthy cause. In case you hadn't guessed already, both Larry and I are of THAT persuasion and certainly enjoyed getting it into the book where we could. Cheers to you and the 5:00 cocktail and here's hoping the Prez doesn't something about this ridiculous policy!
-Dalyn A. Miller