Ouch items

I had the rather distateful task of blocking posts from a young woman who invited me (and from looking at her profile) a great number of other WS members to chat with her on her web cam. She assured us we would not be disapopointed. I found this to be less than my cup of tea. I ought to have jotted her name down before doing the blocking, so I could inquire whether invites to chat via webcam sent to multiple recipients and with no info. on the topic of the webcam chat or info. about the sender are commonplace on the WS ning. It would be rather irksome if it is.

On a more positive note, I am writing to both Pres. Obama and my 2 PA Senators, Bob Casey and Arlen Spector about immediately setting about ending the foolish "don't ask don't tell" national policy about gays in the military. Sexual preference is not a basis for determining a person's fitness to serve in the military. On the one hand our military deserves all willing and capable men and women to take part in defending our country, and on the other hand, indidviduals ought not have to choose between whom they sleep with and what career path they choose.

Besides the essential fairness and civil right of fully opening the military to non-heterosexual people, Pres. Obama promksed to end the "don't ask, don't tell" stricture against gays in the militaryh while he was a candidate. I worked for his campaign fully expecting him to honor his promises to us. I did not work for him to selectively honor his promises, dropping those that might require him to spend some political capital. If national defense needs men and women to continue the war in Afganistan and whereegver else they are needed, then opening the military fully to those willing and capable of serving those needs.

In my letters to Sens. Casey and Spector I will also mention that given how much of a drain national defense is on our PA Nat;'l. Guard's ranks, thenm it's all the more crucial that they support rescinding "don't ask, don't tell."

While I am not gay, bi or lesbian, I do know what it's like to be discriminated against in the workplace and elsewhere. As Wiccans we all face chanllenges to our religious liberty just as gays face challenges to their liberties. "Don't ask, don't tell" is a form of sexual discrimination that is needless and which hurts our natiional defense. I hope others, regardless of their own sexual choices, will also write the President and their Senators to help protect one of the freedoms that our sisters and brothers are being denied. Career choice is part of one's pursuit of happiness. I believe that if we all speak up on this, we can help others in their pursuit while strengthening America itself.