Believe me...gays are in the military...plenty.
Alan Cumming boldly came out swinging at the Obama Administration and all I can say is “two snaps up” to that. Alan says that Obama has done, and I quote, “Didly squat for gay rights.” Well, kids, as sad as all this is, what can I say besides I told you so, long ago when everyone was taken by Obama’s smile on the campaign trail, while turning their backs on Hillary Clinton. It was June 29, 2007, early on in the game at the Howard University hosted debate for the Democratic nominees. I’ll never forget it. The question came to Joe Biden about what he would do for AIDS funding, and he mentioned that he had recently gone and tested for HIV. Actually he said, “I am a strong supporter of getting tested, I recently got tested, so did my colleague Barack Obama“. When the moderator asked Obama about this, he immediately chimed in, “Let me be clear, Joe and I did not go get tested together”, awkwardly cracking a smile. As in…what…like we thought you two were lovers and he wanted to be sure your safe sex life was being properly monitored…you ass. It was a small comment, but my freind Melanie and I were dumbstruck by the subtle homophobia in that little remark. I am a firm believer in where there is smoke there is fire. Why would Barack, as much of a schmoozer as he is…duh…he is a politician…fight for gay rights if his knee jerk reaction is to detach himself from what has long been considered a “gay issue” like he did that day. Look, maybe I am wrong about this…but it stuck in my craw. For the gay community to be up in arms about Obama’s less than stellar support of our causes, well, you get what you paid for.
Gays are now stuck between a rock and a hard on…I mean…a hard place. There is no way on Earth that the gays cannot come out and vote in droves in this mid-term election for the Democrats. A win for a Tea Bagger in any race is a swipe against this administration. And whether he is our champion or our absentee parent (let’s face it, you all put unprecedented amounts of faith and hope in him) we still have no choice but to mobilize now. One thing I know for sure and implore all the Democrats and Independents, is to get off your apathetic asses and vote on November 2 for a Democrat. We are a critical crossroad in our nation’s history. Somehow anti-everything is the new black. While we have all been Facebooking and Twittering how great Kim Kardashian‘s new purse is, the Right Wing Conspirators have effectively messaged their scary ideas, which have taken hold. So here’s what we have to do. Tell all your Facebook friends and Twitter followers to get out there and vote. Hey, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, how about sparing us your nudie shots and use your Twitter account for the good of mankind. Your gay fans will thank you later.
Gabe, Sorry I haven't been by here. I do enjoy your FB updates. I've got several links for you, which might surprise you. In the arena of far right wing, I know several who might be labeled as that, or as the curious hybrid as tea partyers.
You might want to read Statement By Milbloggers On DADT issued by military bloggers earlier this year. Of course, it caused dissent from some of its followers, but that's always going to happen. Bottom line is this, stated so aptly by Milblogger celebrity Jim Hanson aka Uncle Jimbo:
""If I am lying by the road bleeding, I don't care if the medic coming to save me is gay. I just hope he is one of those buff gay guys who are always in the gym so he can throw me over his shoulder and get me out of there."
Note the operating word in the DADT Statement From Milbloggers above is "Professional." And indeed, soldiers, Airmen, Marines, Guardsmen and Guardians are all just that. There are no more draftees in the services.
Many others, including those in the tea party also support this.
However, there are lines drawn as to the approach. What was universally thought as "generally not helpful," were the antics of LT Dan Choi, the fired Arab Linguist who chained himself to the White House fence. Contrast this to the cool but articulate actions of LTC Victor Fehrenbach, USAFwho gives a logical and clear voice to the issue (as well as many others who like him, articulate themselves incredibly well). But it's inevitable that there will be as many approaches to this issue as there are people. Show me an issue where people haven't disagreed on how to get the word across! The Servicemembers Legal Defense Fund continues to do what they can on this issue. Great group.