Some things are just silly. Labeling a piece of fruit with a sticker is silly. A graduation ceremony for preschoolers is silly. A jacked-up jeep on oversize tires is silly, and dressing a dog, with apologies to my sister, is just silly. And although I have nothing against intended silliness, I would add to that list, our country’s solution to the infiltration of homosexuals into the military, the height of uninspired deception, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
Even the name is silly. But Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell would stop at silly if it didn’t require a whole bunch of resolute recruits to disown who they are. Keeping sexual orientation top secret (and this should not be news to anyone) is not good for the health –mental or otherwise. Think what it does for morale. Performance too.
If it were my call, I’d put our gay brothers and sisters front and center. I’d let them run the show. I’d pin four stars on their buff bodies and let them lead the charge. Think of the possibilities. Cable knit throws for the bunks? Who knows, but you can bet there’d be more art, more dance, and more fun, not to mention better food – at Camp Lejeune, Fort Hood and even Khandihar.
Mostly, I’m thinking how liberating it would be if they all fessed up – the corporals, the sergeants, the privates, the generals too, if they all came clean. Same for us civilian folk as well. To be able to stand up without camouflage and say, “This is who I really am. What you see is what you get.” It sure would make it easier to deal with one another.
But being real is not for wimps. It takes vigilance, stamina, courage to boot. You’ve got to be on watch. Do I say what I mean? Mean what I say? Do I walk my talk? Am I legit? Though I sometimes miss the mark, I troop on. I try. It seems like a critical mission, especially these days.
As for our men and women in uniform and the foolishness of “not telling,” I have this to say to you, Uncle Sam, “Go ahead, big guy, give it a shot. You try to Be All You Can Be, under wraps and undercover.
Happy Fourth, all you freedom fighters.
Sixties Chick 
July 3, 2010 at 5:34 pm |
Right on, sister!
July 3, 2010 at 6:28 pm |
Of course, I am with you.
Russ, an old art director friend of mine came up with this slogan for his client, The U.S. Army. Russ really meant BE ALL YOU CAN BE.
Apparently, the army didn’t quite get the whole picture.
July 3, 2010 at 7:27 pm |
I am proud to be your cousin! Always in awe how well you articulate your thinking. Come teach writing at my school! (and to ME!)
July 4, 2010 at 11:13 am |
Happy 4th to you, Mayzee…I always enjoy “watching” how your mind works…it emanaes, I suppose, from the days of haze in the 60’s…