with the announcement of his intentions to end that most absurd practice we call 'don't ask, don't tell', Obama has set a right and truly noble goal for his administration. This is the kind of progress that once done cannot be undone - not as entitlements such as medicare, or social security, but rather as corrections for a practice who's time has long since past; for beliefs we need only admit we no longer hold and watch as they are done away.
This decision will no doubt be subjected to the usual demented honking from the reactionary right, which seems only too eager to delight in telling us how small we are, and how little we can do.
I am not a soldier, I have never been a soldier, and I say plainly my opinions to follow are the single most uninformed I hold, with little to no practical experience to back them up. Having said that...
I choose to believe that by the willing act of putting on a uniform and stepping into harms way, the soldiers of the United States Armed Forces are possessed of a character stronger than the illusions that divide us. They are our brothers and sisters who would risk life and limb in a far away land that you and I might be free, and might be safe. I believe this bravery comes without restriction or limit or clause, that they would laugh at the notion they might be 'afraid' or 'embarrassed' to serve next to a man or woman who is gay. I believe that in their hearts and souls they are human beings possessed of the most excellent qualities of sacrifice, of honor, of courage, of heroic compassion, who care more for who you are when you put that uniform on than who you are with when you take it off. I believe a soldier sees their fellows first, before all else, as a fellow soldier.
I believe the soldiers in todays army will carry on the tradition of so many other american service-men and women through history, and overcome any obstacle with courage and dignity, be it a beach, insurgency, or social policy.
Most of all, I believe the duties of our armies are far, far more serious, and our soldiers worthy of far more respect, than to seriously question if they are up to the challenge of admitting an openly gay man or woman into the ranks.
I chose to believe this because before they were soldiers, they were human beings;
that they were born human shows their potential for greatness is limitless;
that they put on a uniform shows they've chosen to prove it.