HERCULANEUM

"After 10 years of service to our country -- including leading combat patrols, rebuilding schools and translating Arabic in Iraq for 15 months -- the Federal Recognition Board issued its recommendation on Tuesday that I be discharged from the Army for "moral and professional dereliction" under the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy."

- Lt. Dan Choi

As though that service speaks nothing. AN ARABIC LINGUIST FOR CHRIST'S SAKE.

So, you may or may not remember, but I'm a gay Veteran... proudly both.

One was a choice for me.

I'm on the right in the following three pics:

When I served, I didn't march to morning chow in anything but a uniform.

And this wasn't it. Although, I'm sure that's quite liberating.

And at morning muster, I didn't wave my willy in the air like I just didn't care and yell,

"SIR, I'M HERE! I'M QUEER! LET'S PARTY, SIR!!"

When I served, I didn't throw down my weapon and declare,

"YOU'VE GOT ME, BOYS! WHAT ARE Y'ALL WAITIN' FOR, A DIRECT ORDER? COME AND GET ME!!"

When I served, I didn't try and give anyone blowjobs in the showers. And I didn't try to make them give ME blowjobs. I didn't try to feel anyone's penis or balls. And I don't remember mounting anyone. I didn't continually drop the soap and perform

the "bend and SNAP!" in front of my shipmates or fellow crew members. That was saved for special occasions. Like holidays.

Oh sure, I did do it quite regularly with my M16, it's just that that big ole gun was so heavy and I was tired of chipping my nails and my dainty arms could barely hold that dumb, silly weapon.

There was a true camaraderie in our port security unit and the only crevice that was deep and visited much was that of true fellowship among soldiers and sailors working towards the same goal.

And when I was deployed to Haiti for "Operation Uphold Democracy", besides our "mission", we just wanted to keep the dirt and fleas out of our ears and eyes, shit as quickly as we could because the "pots" were vile and the temperature in them ran around 110 degrees, plus added sweat didn't help the rash ("crotch-rot") that we all had spread over our groins, and to not get shot. I know, revolutionary... we didn't want to die there.

I wasn't thinking, "Man oh menz... I wish I could get me some 69-action goin' on UP IN HERE IN ALL THIS RASHINESS, Y'ALL!!! BRING IT, BISHES! LET ME JUST POWDER MY NOSE WITH SOME FUCKING CLOROX!"

This might surprise some people, but we had other things on our minds.

There is something in the military that you may have heard of... It's called discipline. And if someone can't do their job and keep something in their pants, so to speak, straight OR gay, they're going to have problems in more places than just the military.

Make no mistake, there have always been and always will be gays in the military. And allowing them to serve with true pride and dignity and EQUAL RIGHTS in exactly who they are would by NO MEANS necessitate an end result of a lack of conduct or discipline. That's what the military is all about; Conduct and Discipline. And that wouldn't and shouldn't change. It's simple and juvenile to think otherwise.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi:

We, the undersigned, urge you to make "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" a priority and publicly support the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (HR 1283) -- legislation that would repeal DADT and replace it with a policy of nondiscrimination.

Lt. Dan Choi, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, an Iraq War veteran, Arabic translator and California native, is a capable soldier and leader who could continue to play a vital role in this time of war. His firing is a symbol of all that is wrong with this policy.

Both the Senate Majority Leader and President Obama have spoken publicly about the need to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". Speaker Pelosi -- your voice and your leadership is needed at this crucial time.

We call on you to make the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" a priority in Congress. We cannot afford to lose any more talented soldiers critical to our national security.

Sincerely,

Your Name

(This image compliments of Whit Honea.)

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.

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