It is a Big Gay Day

If you follow the blog you'll know that I'm a libertarian leaning conservative that believes that homosexuals deserve the same right to have the government out of their life as us poor dressing straight boys and I have written as such before.

I think many more conservatives agree with this position than care to admit. Especially conservatives that are in their 40's and younger. To most of us we see it as a civil rights issue and one our party has been on the wrong side of for way too long.

I thought it was very courageous for some Republicans to vote their heart and allow DADT to come to a vote and pass. I thought it was a good day for the President and he offered a decent speech today prior to the signing. I took time to watch it because I thought it was another important moment in our civil rights history.

Anyway......

So, how do I respond today to my gay friends? Do I say congrats? I seems weird. None of them are in the military. Did people in 1964 go up to black people and say...."Hey, Congrats on the big win, you are now equal?"

In 1920 did dudes tell chicas, "Hey congrats on the 19th amendment passing. I know it only took us 70 years to decide you were smart enough to vote"? I kinda doubt it.

But I kinda feel like it should be recognized with people who have fought for it for the past 20 years. Not sure what to say.

I have gay friends. I guess I'll figure it out when I see them.

McCain isn't Asking....He's Telling

It seems like a weird time to shift the nation's focus toward the issue of Don't Ask Don't Tell. What's the motivation for the President? We know nothing is by mistake in this highly calculated, highly spun era of politics in which we live. Focus off the economy? Focus off the major FAIL in pushing health care reform?

Hell might have officially froze over the other night.

Rachel Maddow and I might have agreed on something. She was pointing out John McCain's inconsistency on the issue by always hiding, er uh deferring to military leaders on the issue saying it shouldn't be repealed unless military leaders think it is a good idea.

Ever wonder who told her she needed to be less "butchy" to be on MSNBC?

Old Rachel and new Rachel

After the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of Joint Chiefs both said it needs to be repealed McCain basically attacked them. He claims he hasn't shifted basically saying Mullen and Gates are just towing the company line for their boss.

Among the younger generation the issue of gay rights is considered the civil rights issue of the day.

This is where the Libertarian in me trumps the Republican in me. I haven't heard a single good argument for keeping this policy in place. Other than extreme, hard core evangelicals and basic homophobic people I can't find many people who haven't softened their position on the status of homosexuals in our society.

Now is always the right time to start treating people fairly and equitably. I have a strong feeling the President knows this will divide the Republican party and is using it tactically. I guess that is sad. I just hope he can prove that he can do more than one thing at a time.