Rum, Buggery, and the Lash!!

"You say that I am ignoring the time-honored traditions of the Royal Navy? And what might they be? I shall tell you in three words. Rum, buggery, and the lash! Good morning sirs."

- Winston Churchill addressing the Sea Lords, 1912

Well, it looks like Winston got it right.

The navy announced Monday that it had asked Stonewall, a group that lobbies for gay rights, to help it develop better strategies for recruiting and retaining gay and lesbian sailors. It said, too, that it would most likely advertise for recruits in the employment sections of gay magazines and newspapers.

Recruiting? Advertising? I thought we were already doing that.

Where, oh where is Monty Python when you need them? Oh, that's right, they're on Broadway.

The change in the law followed a long and agonized debate here, similar to that in the United States, over the possible consequences of allowing gays and lesbians to serve. But when it took place, it was an anticlimax.

Well, that is an interesting choice of words. Why did it have to be the Royal Navy? The RAF has many more, ummm, errrr, alternative lifestyle choices. (not that there is anything wrong with that)

One should be careful to advertise that this is a no bashing zone at the Salamander hidey-hole (bad choice of words, again). Though brave, we do live in fear of punishment for poor behavior.

"Rum, buggery, and the lash." OK. From batting .333 to .666. Coming to a base near you. Should be interesting to watch.

The question is, could I work with gay personnel? Answer: I have for almost my entire career. 'Nuff said.