Fashion Critique for the House of Cheney & Clintona: Pink Bhurkas Make for Lousy Camo

[CorpGovActivist]

Imagine this scenario, if you will: two soldiers are on the front lines of Iraq, serving in the same unit.

The first soldier, a straight guy, gets yet another care package from home. His wife has included recent snapshots of herself - nothing racy, just recent photos showing her enjoying the everyday freedoms he signed up to protect. He is momentarily distracted from the hardships of deployment, remembering that - should the worst happen - she is listed as his beneficiary, and will be automatically eligible for a whole array of benefits. Later, he'll share the contents of his care package with his comrades in arms, and share the latest news from home and the photos of his wife.

The second soldier, a gay guy, gets a care package, too. His partner includes no photos - too risky. Before he deployed, they decided on a cover story. The care packages are mailed from his partner's sister, or a female friend at work, to attract less suspicion. Although he, too, shares the goodies in his care package, he is less forthcoming with sharing the details of his life on the homefront. He's been partnered twice as long as the first guy has been married, but his beneficiary forms don't list his partner.

One soldier is deployed in standard issue camo.

The other is deployed in a Pink Bhurka, stitched by the fashion house of Cheney & Clintona.

Whenever any elected official claims that the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy is "working," they're right: it's accomplishing the goal of keeping gay and lesbian service members in their place, just like a bhurka "works" to keep women in theirs.

- Dave

[libodem]

1. a humbling perspective

It makes me sad.

[CorpGovActivist]

2. The "Don't Tell" Portion Really Says, "Don't Share"...

... the full array of your talents, your humor, your skills, your personhood.

- Dave