In a presidential proclamation issued on Monday, President Barack Obama officially recognized the month of June as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.
LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
The president’s call for equality and his acknowledgment of the many contributions LGBT people have made to America’s culture, society and politics despite being culturally, socially and politically marginalized are truly moving. However, I can’t help feeling slightly ambivalent about the whole thing. Here’s why:
Joe “the Plumber” Wurzelbacher — John McCain’s go-to guy during the presidential campaign anytime ol’ Mac needed to stand beside someone nuttier than he was — is making some waves at the annual CPAC gathering. Here’s the video:
I’m confused. Was Joe ever in the military? I find no record of his service, yet he’s such a booster that he feels shooting congresspeople is OK if they dis the troops. (And let’s be honest: Can you name ANY elected official who has been stupid enough to say something derogatory about the military and remained in office? Yeah, me neither.)
And another question for Joe: If you’re so gung-ho for America’s armed forces, why not join up and do some good? I hear we’re going to send another 17,000 husbands/wives/sons/daughters to Afghanistan in the coming months. Perhaps you’d like to enlist and join our fighting men and women on the front lines? It’s put up or shut up time, Joe. Enlist. Or, if you choose not to, please seek counseling. There’s clearly some violence in you that needs to be addressed.
