HERCULANEUM

I'm trying to remember what life was like before I wanted to kick John McCain's ass.

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Gen. Colin L. Powell, who as the nation’s top military officer in the 1990s opposed allowing gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military, switched gears today and threw his support behind efforts to end the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law he helped shepherd in.

Gen. Colin L. Powell in December.“In the almost 17 years since the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ legislation was passed, attitudes and circumstances have changed,” General Powell said in a statement issued by his office. He added: “I fully support the new approach presented to the Senate Armed Services Committee this week by Secretary of Defense Gates and Admiral Mullen.” (New York Times)

*** The Ask And Tell Overture

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So, as you might know, I'm a veteran. And I've written before about how I proudly served without giving handjobs, blowjobs or getting it up the butt.

I haven't been bothered that President Obama hadn't addressed the issue until his "State of The Union". I didn't feel "sold out". Yes, I believe that "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is discriminatory and breeds contempt. But, I also believe that there has been a reason for his delay. There's been quite a bit for him and his administration to work on. And my hope is that it would be addressed in due-time. That AGAIN, people need to have patience. Change doesn't happen overnight.

So, while I believe that gays should be allowed to openly serve and receive all the benefits of their heterosexual counterparts, I haven't felt much sympathy for people who volunteered for the military FULLY KNOWING that the policy was "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". They signed on, then later didn't like it. Well, I'm sorry, you should've thought about that sooner.

This doesn't mean that I don't applaud their courage in standing up for what they believe in and for what is right. I do. And certainly, if we're paying attention, our awareness is an evolution. We shouldn't think the same way five, or ten years down the road.

Well, anyway, we're at the beginning of it being addressed, and that's a good thing. Overdue, yes. But, it's still being addressed: "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Gays Military Policy Under Fire

Top Uniformed Officer: Gay ban should be lifted

And besides, we're too pure to serve. (Hysterical - courtesy of "The Onion".)

If sovereign people who know nothing other than their freedom had ANY IDEA the insidious self-loathing that accompanies being in an oppressed sect of people, the lowest of the low on the totem pole, there wouldn't be a minute left of discrimination. It would have no place to hide.

Liberty WILL win.

*** If you'd like to tell your representative and senators to repeal this discriminatory law, you may do so here.

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