Am arrived

Actually, I got here two nights ago. The problem with my GPS was resolved. It seems Memphis is it's own map (the rest of Tennesse is in two big chunks, but Memphis is special). I didn't notice that, and so the poor beastie got lost trying to navigate the barren waste.

The interstate in Tenn. is the nicest part of 40 to ride, so far. Long swooping curves, short enough to feel as if one were in mild-twisties, when one is doing highway speeds. The further east one goes, the better the swooping.

I got on the road about half an hour later than I meant to; and later still than I ought have, because I was having lunch with Fidelio, in Nashville, and somehow has the distance off by about 50 miles in my head. This didn't bother her, and I got into town, called her and she told me where to go (having already; as so many have wanted to, told me where to get off). It being the 4th of July, they were closed. So we hopped in her truck, and discovered the greek place was closed too. Back to the bike and the restaurant which was open.

Decent salads, so-so ambience. It was too loud. We had a long lunch, chatted about stuff, and I got back on the road. It was much of a muchness, green trees, exposed karst, rolling hills and the winding of the road. A few troopers on the road, but my 10-over (more or less) didn't seem to trouble them and I made my way, in leisurely speed to Oak Ridge.

They were only following orders

Lieutenant Dan Choi and Captain James Pietrangelo have subpoenaed the president (pdf).

They aver that, as he has encouraged the LGBT community to make noise, and hold him accountable, in the matter of Don't Ask Don't Tell, the civil protest in which they were engaged, and during which they were arrested was something they were compelled to do; because it was a lawful order of the president, as commander in chief.

I am not a big fan of the "President as CiC" fetish so many have (though I do notice the slavish devotion to buffering the holder of the Oval Office from the slings and arrows of a scornful populace have changed. Where Limbaugh used to say it was treason to not support the President, in his military adventures, now he says he wants him to fail, but I digress), but I think this is a good use of that distinction.

Why?

Because DADT is completely in his purview. It's an executive order on how to interpret a statute. The Dems are all pissed off about the people (like me) who are pissed off. Why? Because they say it will all be over in a year; when they change the statute. Why a year? I think it's because they want two years to have it fade from the pressing news as they run for re-elections.

Screw that. I repealing it is right... it's right. Justice delayed is worse than justice denied. How many soldiers, seamen, Marines and airmen are going to be kicked out in the next year? How many are going to have to live in fear of being outed, and so kicked out? How many who want to serve now, will have to wait; because they don't want to get kicked out?

As political theater goes, this is dead on target.