Happy 2008!

I hope that everyone has a blessed and very...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Off to celebrate...

Noche de Paz...

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

-- Gospel According to St. Luke 2:1-14

At this most blessed time of year I hope that all of you have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año Nuevo.

Remembering Our Troops At Christmas

Out of all the Christmas videos I've seen from the candidates on both sides of the political spectrum, I think that Fred Thompson's campaign did the best job:


h/t Ace of Spades

With all the hustle and bustle of the Holidays, and the focus on faith and family, things like this remind us that no matter what our political views are we should take a moment to say "thanks" to the men and women in uniform who defend our freedoms. Many of them are away from their loved ones because of their service and just a simple "thank you" can help brighten their day. If you want to do more, and can spare anything, please consider giving to a worthy cause that supports our soldiers, sailors, Airmen an Marines. Here are some that I particularly recommend:

America Supports You

Any Soldier

Armed Forces Children's Education Fund

Armed Forces Relief Trust

ECarePackage.com

Fisher House

Help For Heroes (for our Brit friends, who've stood by us countless times)

Operation Gratitude

Project Valour I/T

Semper Fi Fund

USO

Merry Christmas everbody!

(this is also posted over at Gay Patriot)

iPod Random Song List Game

What the heck, I have to work late and have a couple of free minutes, so...

Rules: Set your iPod on shuffle and post the first 10 songs that appear. No cheating!

1. "The Look" - Roxette
2. "Hungry Eyes" - Eric Carmen
3. "Chains of Love" - Erasure
4. "Reuniting the Fleet" - Bear McCreary (Battlestar Galactica Season 2 Soundtrack)
5. "Be My Baby" - The Ronettes (Dirty Dancing Soundtrack)
6. "Mercy Mercy Me" - Robert Palmer
7. "Would I Lie To You" - Eurythmics
8. "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" - The Proclaimers
9. "Photograph" - Nickelback
10. "Mamma Mia" - ABBA

Ok, this has got to the weirdest assortment of music, some of which embarassingly dates me. Oh suuuuure, I couldn't get something cool like Bob Seger or Aerosmith but instead this mix. Yeah those date me too I guess, but still. They're timeless and don't ruin my image. Well at least Nickelback came up. Suddenly I'm not so sure about this game anymore...

60 Minutes Interview on DADT

I know that I said I was taking some time off until after the holidays, but I wanted to share this:


This past Sunday, the CBS news program 60 minutes ran an interesting segment about gays openly serving in the military despite the Don't Ask, Don't Tell law banning homosexuals. The most prominent servicemember interviewed was US Army Sgt. Darren Manzella, a combat medic currently serving as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This interview is probably one of the most controversial in awhile as well, since not only is Sgt. Manzella openly serving with the tacit approval of his command, but he is not currently facing discharge proceedings for being gay. I have to be honest and say that while I strongly support the repeal of DADT and Manzella being able to serve openly, I have mixed feelings about his doing this interview. I think that Sgt. Manzella has a compelling story to tell and his open service even in combat shows just how absurd the DADT policy is. Stories like his may help in efforts to repeal this ridiculous law. However, I'm not so sure that this interview was held at the right time for him to speak up. From what he has said, people in his command put themselves on the line in order to keep him in and going public like this may leave some of them feeling betrayed. These commanders didn't enact this law and obviously value his service, nor can the military itself change it. Thanks to President Clinton signing DADT into law in 1993, only Congress can make any changes or even repeal it. I don't know Sgt. Manzella nor the entirety of his situation, but what happens to him and them now will help determine what other commands will do in a similiar situation. Will others be so willing to help known gay servicemembers remain in the military while DADT is in place? Difficult to say. I'm not sure that this interview was the right thing for him to do and even he acknowledges that he'll probably be discharged over it. I think it might have been better to wait until leaving the military voluntarily, or at least when proceedings for discharge under DADT might have been initiated after the war. I'm cynical enough to believe that they would have been after the end of hostilities, which recent history seems to demonstrate. Yet, it is possible that my own experience from the early days under the policy might be coloring how I view this. I don't know. I just don't think him doing this interview now was the right move, even though I enjoyed his story. Nevertheless, he does have an interesting story and I have nothing but respect for those who put themselves in danger to save the lives of their fellow soldiers.

Besides Sgt. Manzella, there were other good interviews with some gay veterans. Inluded among these were Jarrod Chlapowski of Servicemembers United and Brian Fricke of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network. Both of these men in particular did a superb job in responding to reasonable questions from Leslie Stahl. The most amusing line though has to go to Fricke, calling those serving today the "Will & Grace Generation". The more that people hear from gay vets like these gentlemen the more I believe they will see just how stupid this law really is.

Two final quick notes, Congressman Duncan Hunter in my view came across as a total ass, apparently unaware of what these Brits were decorated for, while Major Daniel Davis' remarks appeared to be plagiarized almost verbatim in parts from the 1949 testimony defending racial segregation by then-SecArmy Kenneth C. Royall.

You can watch the 60 Minutes interview here or download the audio podcast version here (iTunes link).

UPDATE: Chlapowski did a follow-up interview on CNN about this that is well worth watching.

UPDATE: Check out this superb article on what DADT means for servicemembers and their loved ones around the holidays.

(this is also posted over on Gay Patriot)

Responding to the anti-military element in the gay community

Alex Nicholson has a good response to a recent column in the Washington Blade:

So I couldn’t help but once again wonder, why is it that an anti-military minority within the gay community cannot understand that there are gays and lesbians who actually like the military, who have an affinity for the lifestyle, who can contribute to it and benefit from what it offers, who take pride in service to the nation, and, most importantly, who recognize the timelessness and importance of the institution of the U.S. military? Why can that minority not separate their opinions about contemporary events from the undisputed need for a strong and capable military?

The U.S. military is a glorious institution, a necessary institution, and one that provides many opportunities for millions of Americans. Since when has “planting gardens” provided a G.I. Bill benefit - a benefit that enabled me and millions of others to get a college education? Does this minority not remember that the U.S. military is the institution that helped liberate Europe from the Nazi empire, helped liberate Asia from the Japanese war machine, and helped end the Holocaust? I don’t think Hitler was in the process of being persuaded by the peace movement, much less an army of gardeners.

Bravo Zulu, Alex! I wrote about this disgraceful column myself the other day.

Jenna Bush on the Ellen show

Very classy act by Ellen.

Honoring Patriots & Making the Military Stronger

When I went to the event last Saturday, I didn’t know what to expect. I was curious about what would take place and also a little excited to finally meet some of the folks I have read about, including a couple that were interviewed on the last Gay Patriot’s America podcast. What I didn’t expect was what I found and how much this would weigh on my mind, still leaving me to sort out some of it. The aspects involving efforts to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” were good while the unanticipated personal side surprised me with the metaphorical kick in the pants. Many people tend to forget that I’ve only been “out” to family & friends for a little over 2 years now, something I myself overlook at times, so perhaps some of the reactions I had to the event are to be expected. However, like I said yesterday I’m going to save most of the personal reflections for a later date on my own blog.

Although I was curious and a little excited about the event on Saturday, I also had some trepidation. I was concerned that I was going to something held by a group of people that had no understanding at all about the military, no respect for the people who serve, who were nothing more than the shrill activists one sees on TV that do more harm than good in turning most people off in disgust to their cause. While I was a bit disappointed that Saturday’s event was mostly a “meet and greet” for those actively involved in the repeal effort, I was pleased to see that my fears were unwarranted and still found the event to be interesting. Given last week’s podcast interview of leaders from Servicemembers United, one of the co-sponsors of the event, I guess I shouldn’t have been so surprised. Speaker after speaker from such divergent groups spanning the political spectrum as Servicemembers United, the Human Rights Campaign, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network and Log Cabin Republicans all sounded the same theme: while repealing the ban against gays serving openly in the military is a civil rights issue, the concerns about military readiness are genuine and have to be treated with respect instead of just being blithely dismissed; Democrats and Republicans are needed to lift the ban as this isn’t just a liberal issue but also a conservative one; while having a president who is sympathetic to repealing DADT is important, real action will take place in the Congress and it is there that much of our focus must be placed; this struggle will not be over in a couple of years as it will take more time to address people’s fears and legitimate concerns, not to mention how slow the legislative process is in Congress.

While I was impressed with the many different speakers, one of those who stood out the most to me was Sharra Greer from SLDN. A very articulate and thoughtful lady, who knows her stuff you could say. She emphasized repeatedly that Republicans are very much needed in this struggle, not only for votes to repeal the ban but also given the public perception that the GOP in general is stronger on defense. Addressing the concerns of skeptical Republicans and winning them over would lend credibility and perhaps enable a smooth implementation of changes once DADT is gone. Think Nixon going to China. I particularly liked how she said that Pentagon leaders need to be treated with the respect they deserve, as they too are critical not only during the effort to repeal the ban but also once success is reached as gays are openly integrated into military service. Her SLDN colleague, Aubrey Sarvis, followed this up with an interesting discussion about strategies and real politics. Since I’m hardly the policy wonk myself, some of the details about the political process were a little boring but also fascinating at the same time if that makes any sense.

The other speaker that impressed me the most was Alex Nicholson of Servicemembers United. He echoed many of the themes Greer touched upon, but from the perspective of someone who had served in the military. Nicholson was as articulate and thoughtful as Greer, but the experience he brings as a veteran is something that has been sorely needed in this struggle. He brought up things that I don’t believe others had thought of, such as reaching out to veterans groups like the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I was unaware that these two leading veterans groups consistently pass resolutions calling for a return to the more restrictive policy that existed prior to DADT. I must say that I’m disappointed to hear that but given the age of the leadership of these groups and how much society has changed since the time they served, it shouldn’t be too surprising. Nicholson was adamant about how important these groups are and that veterans both gay and straight who support repealing DADT are needed to approach local chapters, similar to the successful efforts by the Call to Duty Tour last year. I liked this not only from a realpolitik standpoint, but also because such efforts will respect the overall work of these groups and perhaps inject some needed balance to this debate on military service. Most surprising of all was that Nicholson didn’t hesitate to point out the “anti-military element” in the gay community that is severely detrimental to this struggle and has to be dealt with. I saw more than one head nodding in agreement when he said that and nobody objected. I wanted to stand and cheer at that moment, if not at least slap him a high-five for saying what needed to be said. The day before last Saturday’s event, I read a truly despicable column by Greg Marzullo of the Washington Blade about this with the usual anti-military rhetoric. When those who are connected to the military and are hesitant about lifting the ban read such things as this...

"What if all these people had been working for world peace instead? What if every one of these unfairly discharged queer persons was planting gardens, feeding the homeless and saving vanishing habitats?" I understand that it's important in terms of equality for people to be able to "serve their country," but there's a part of me that thinks, "Why? They don't want us for canon fodder? Good riddance, and fuck off."

...does anyone really think that they are not going to respond in kind? Treating military service as being nothing more than “destruction of current cultures at the hands of patriarchal, autocratic monsters” is not liable to make them sympathetic to one’s cause. Dismissing their sacrifices for the country by saying to soldiers, “Well, don't. Because I didn't ask you to” is apt to enrage them.

I heard a lot of positive things in the meeting last Saturday, but I’d like to see this anti-military element confronted more and believe such is crucial for the successful repeal of DADT. Veterans in the gay community, like many of those I met, should take more of a leadership role in this because through the experience of their service they bring a unique voice. It is difficult for me to adequately convey this in words, but these folks get it and their voices will go a long way to allay many of the fears and concerns that opponents of repealing the ban have. Let me put it this way, I grew up an “Army brat” and served myself in the Navy so I understand the culture of the military and respect for those who wear the uniform was instilled in me from a very young age. My father served in the military and was my hero as a boy. As I became an adult I grew to see him for what he is: a good but flawed man, like most of us, yet in many respects he remains the hero of my youth. Given the number of people who have grown up as children of servicemembers, or who are veterans themselves, I’m not the only one with such a high regard for military service. This anti-military element does more than just strike at the respect we have for the military but also personally offends many of us. When those like Marzullo so thoughtlessly insult my Dad and other members of family, how am I not going to be offended? If I as a gay man react like this, how much more negative is the response going to be from those who are not gay and may have little understanding of homosexuality? This isn’t about whether one supports or opposes the Iraq War or even one’s opinion of the Bush Administration, but it is about how we treat those who’ve responded to our country’s call and giving them the respect they have earned with their sweat, blood and tears. While I do agree with the civil rights aspect in repealing DADT, if we are to see such efforts succeed more will be needed. Gay veterans and their straight allies from the DADT repeal groups need to step forward whenever a high-profile activist group or politician unjustly defames the military and those who serve. Beyond the fact that this is just pragmatic politics in defending those whom one is trying to court the favor of, what has been overlooked is that such disgusting anti-military rhetoric by implication is directed at gay servicemembers too! Leaders in the gay community are quick to stand up and denounce folks who directly insult or are perceived to offend homosexuals, but I have yet to hear them do likewise when it comes to the military in general. Gays in uniform deserve their respect, as well as those who are not gay, and if we are to make any progress than those reluctant to consider lifting the ban must hear us speak up. After the events of this past weekend, I am hopeful that this message came through loud and clear and look forward to further efforts in this struggle as we move closer to that day when gays and lesbians can serve openly in the military.

Finally, I had a great time afterwards watching Navy stomp the heck out of Army with many of the people I had met. I’d also like to say that in addition to Greer, Nicholson and many of the others, I am especially grateful to have had the opportunity to meet Jarrod Chlapowski and Eric Alva. Chlapowski is a bright and personable man, and those qualities combined with his experience of having served in the Army will go far in helping the group he represents and the overall movement to repeal DADT. As for Alva, well let’s just say that big things do indeed come in small packages and it was an honor to meet him. The integrity of the man was visibly apparent and his kindness to me was greatly appreciated. I regret that I didn’t take any photos (the flag display was awesome) but I spent most of the time taking everything in. If you’d like to see photos, there are some good ones at HRC’s website and Good As You has videos of the speeches from last Friday.

UPDATE: Servicemembers United have a pretty cool panorama shot of the 12,000 flags display up at their site.

(this is also posted over on Gay Patriot)

What to say?

I wanted to post something tonight about the event I attended yesterday, but I've been having trouble coming up with what I want to say and how exactly to do it. There was a lot that I took away from yesterday that was positive and it gave me much to reflect upon, more than just about efforts to repeal DADT. That's what has been bugging me since I came home yesterday and why I seem to be having a problem sorting it all out enough to write about it. I was thinking of doing two posts on this, one sticking more to the facts a la Joe Friday, and a later one with personal reflections. Yet that's a bit difficult since the two are connected, hence the dilemma. I can say this: I met some really good people from both ends of the political spectrum and what many of them had to say about efforts to repeal DADT was refreshing to hear. I also had a great time with these people at a sports bar watching Navy stomp the heck out of Army. It was more than just the game though, I enjoyed their company. Aaagh. Too much going on in the ol' noggin tonight about this so I think I'll sleep on it again and try tomorrow.

One last thing tonight though, while I'm pleased as can be that Navy won yesterday I have the utmost respect for the players on both teams. These are not college guys going on to play in the NFL and make millions, but yesterday was probably the last time 99% of them will ever play on a team like that for the rest of their lives. They played because they are passionate about the game and their respective services. Today they are all off to serve their country in the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and because of this they are all winners in my book. So while most of this week was spent razzing Army in preparation for yesterday's game, today I'm back to giving them the same amount of respect as the Navy. With that in mind, here's a pretty good video in honor of all you guys in green:

Words to live by...

Either somebody I know is trying to send me a message, with impeccible timing I might add but will explain another day, or the sales department of Men's Health magazine hasn't forgotten me and wants me to renew that subscription which lapsed a long time ago. I say this because I received two issues in the mail the other day without my asking for them. One article in particular caught my eye has some good life lessons from many famous coaches. While I've never been much of an athlete myself, I do know the kind of influence a really good coach can have on people and much of what was in the article I thought was worthy of rememberance. So, here are a few of the better ones:

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but simply the moving on with dignity despite that fear." - Pat Riley, Miami Heat

"Today, you have 100% of your life left." - Tom Landry, Dallas Cowboys

"Success without honor is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won't taste good." - Joe Paterno, Penn State

"You can learn a line from a win and a book from a defeat." - Paul Brown, Cincinnati Bengals

"It's not whether you got knocked down. It's wheter you get back up." - Vince Lombardi, Green Bay Packers

"Talent is God-given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful." - John Wooden, UCLA