Telling

Maybe someone out there can explain it to me... Serve your country. "Defend democracy." Swear to uphold the Constitution - which last time I checked included a right to free speech... but, don't think that honesty, integrity, and free speech apply to you, nope, no way. And, yes, before some wing-nut starts lecturing me on the nuances of free speech, I do understand that it doesn't mean one can yell "Fire" in a crowded theatre... Okay, but back to the news.

"The United States Navy has initiated discharge proceedings against a ten year veteran who attended a June 3rd rally in support of same-sex marriage on New York’s Brooklyn Bridge. Rhonda Davis, a petty officer first class journalist in the Navy, attended the rally and subsequently gave an interview to local radio station 1010WINS where she identified herself as a member of the Navy. Davis also endorsed same-sex marriage and indicated in her interview that she was looking forward to someday marrying her partner of more than three years. On June 5th, Davis’s command informed her that, after being made aware of the interview by callers to the office where she is stationed, they were forced to discharge her under the law, which prohibits openly lesbian, gay and bisexual personnel from serving in the armed forces."
http://www.sldn.org/templates/press/record.html?record=3063

What's the relevance to Canada you might ask? Well, Canada lifted their ban on the service of GLB service members in 1992. Yeah, the year before Bill Clinton signed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" into law. So, in most NATO countries - including Britain and Canada - GLB citizens can serve openly in their nation's military. Not so the US.

But, then, not everyone thinks there's much distinction to be made between the US and Canada, eh? If you're not a regular wmtc reader, check this out to understand the reference.

Note: While I'm a veteran and believe that anyone who wishes to serve in the military should have the right to do so, I would, at this point in time, try to dissuade anyone from joining the military and I fully support those who are refusing to participate in a pre-emptive war begun under false pretenses.