it's just a ride, and we can change it anytime we want. it's only a choice. no effort, no work, no job, no savings, no money. just a choice, right now, between fear and love.

Today’s preliminary findings in Lt. Daniel Choi’s case make me furious. It’s not a simple case of “hey, you broke the rules so here’s your punishment.” That sort of thing is dealt with every single day, “in house” as it is said.

What irks me the most with the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy is the verbiage under which the claim is staked: Moral or Professional Dereliction. This type of equivocation stems from a vision of homosexuality being synonymous with pedophilia or general depravity. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

You want to talk about moral and professional dereliction? I could pen *volumes* full of stories of shockingly immoral, unprofessional, illegal behavior I have witnessed, time and time again, in my service in the military. Somehow it’s OK to be a complete heathen as long as you’re heterosexual.

In 2009, a decade into the 21st century, with two wars raging endlessly on, reenlistment bonuses dropping by the wayside, and in-service suicide rates steadily climbing, I would think discharging a West Point educated, combat tested, commissioned officer the boot would be the last thing on any true strategist’s mind.

It is time to end this homophobic, ignorant and draconian rule and allow *anyone* who is willing to step up and serve. Especially one who has already proven himself a valuable asset to the war effort.

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Since you never get to see any pictures of *me*, I thought I’d go
ahead and let you admire this one.

Kealia Trail (we hiked all the way to the summit!), just behind
Dillingham Airfield.

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Pasted below is the comment I attached to my CourageCampaign submission in support of Lt. Dan Choi, who is slated to be discharged from the National Guard for being homosexual.

I have been in the U.S. Army for nearly six years, have served two tours in Iraq, and expect a trip or two to Afghanistan before my time is up.

Lt. Choi has achieved much in his time in the National Guard, and has served this great country with pride and honor. To exclude him from military service because of his sexual preference is most shameful.  It is 2009, and it is high time to end this draconian rule about being forced to hide who you are.

If you are keen to keep this awful policy in effect, however, I might suggest (for the sake of greater equality, of course), we institute a policy of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell for other things, as well.

Under my proposed plan, service members would no longer be allowed to inquire or supply information regarding their:
race
ethnic heritage
musical preference
zodiacal sign

We wouldn’t want to compromise the integrity and high morale of a combat infantry team, worrying about whether the guy next to you is going to start trying to convince you Jack Johnson is really great or Scorpios are too opinionated or fighting over why the black guy never has to wear camouflage paint, now would we?

Wake up to the lunacy of this policy and let Lt. Choi honor the commitment he has made to help keep America safe.

Please hit the link below and let the douchebags upstairs know we’re sick of this policy.

http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/SupportDan

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In Haiti, women mix flour with clay to have more food to eat. In the United States, Kathy Lee Gifford makes a game out of throwing hot dogs across the room.

Shameful.

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Her name is Sophia. She is much more shy than Cookie; here she is
hiding behind the toilet. Hopefully she warms up to us soon.

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Her name was Izza, but we have renamed her Cookie. She is a very sweet
two-year old Calico.

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The Circle of Friends at the Honolulu Humane Society. One of the bowls is from Steve Holt. HAH! 

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Tweaking a bit here and there on the old blog. I know I haven’t been writing very much since I’ve returned home, and I’ve done a pretty bad job of flickr’ing many of the photos I’ve taken, as well. I’m not apologizing, mind you, just acknowledging my pseudo-hiatus.

Expect little bits here and there before I come back full speed!

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Or is it? She’ll kill you. Dead. Seriously.

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