A gay old time in the military

I've never put a whole lot of thought into "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," because I never really felt its effects (that I know of. I never asked!) But rationally, it's institutionalized discrimination, which seems about as sensible as racial segregation. Or the outdated, sexist notions about women in combat roles. (In case you weren't aware, men and women have been serving side by side in combat for the entirety of OEF/OIF.) During the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today, Georgia Sen. "Sexy" Saxby Chambliss declared his opposition to the repeal of DADT. His rationale is that it would lead to a slippery slope of "immoral" behavior in the military, including:

Alcohol use, adultery, fraternization, and body art.

And let me tell you. There is no better summary of my military service than this collection of words. I mean, if I ever get around to finishing the memoir, I should use this for my title. This is the most hilarious argument I think I have ever heard against allowing homosexuals to serve openly. I may have engaged in all of these things in a single night when I was in the Army. At least three out of four. And I received an honorable discharge...though I should admit that I did receive a Summary Article 15 for this one time when I was still in training. For whatever that's worth. Anyway, I imagine there's probably a ton of gay people who would be better soldiers than I was.

So there. Institutional discrimination is bad. And I was a bad Army-man.