TGIF!

I completely spaced that yesterday was the first anniversary of the repeal of DADT.  Perhaps because it has gone so smoothly as to be a non event in the everyday happenings in military life, as it should.  The president did recognize the anniversary with the following remarks:

"A year ago today, we upheld the fundamental American values of fairness and equality by finally and formally repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' Gay and lesbian Americans now no longer need to hide who they love in order to serve the country they love. It is a testament to the professionalism of our men and women in uniform that this change was implemented in an orderly manner, preserving unit cohesion, recruitment, retention and military effectiveness. As Commander in Chief, I've seen that our national security has been strengthened because we are no longer denied the skills and talents of those patriotic Americans who happen to be gay or lesbian. The ability of service members to be open and honest about their families and the people they love honors the integrity of the individuals who serve, strengthens the institutions they serve, and is one of the many reasons why our military remains the finest in the world."

There were other references to the anniversary most notably 26 Very Real Consequences of DADT Repeal and On DADT on year anniversary, this post will detail all its problems.  In other news there was a really great article in the LA Weekly, Gay Happiness, The New Frontier, that answers the query 'Are physical and mental health problems really a reaction to bigotry?' that is intelligently written and is really a must read for all of us. Then there are the must watch Jon Stewart videos on Towleroad.com on the Fox News damage control in the wake of Mitt Romney's 47% video remarks.  After all that, we come to the music and the men starting with a terrific play list.  Today's play list showcases the Bassoon as a Solo instrument. Starting with the duet Sonata for Bassoon and Piano by Camille Saint-Saens performed by Jozef Makarovic on Bassoon and Jana Nakovska on Piano. Up next is Sonata for Bassoon and Cello by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart performed by Etienne Boudreault and Henrik Brendstrup at the 13th Esbjerg International Chamber Music Festival 2011. Then we have the Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra by Gioachino Rossini performed by Carlos Tarancon Mateo accompanied by the Orchestra Lira Numantina conducted by Enrique Garcia Asensio at the Soriano Autumn Music Festival, followed by the Concerto for Two Bassoons by Johann Baptist Vanhal performed by Christian Eberle and Glen West accompanied by the Newburgh Symphony Orchestra. Concluding this play list is the Grand Concerto for Bassoon by Johann Nepomuk Hummel in a 1986 performance by the Stavanger Radio Orchestra conducted by Frank Shipway featuring Robert Ronnes on Solo Bassoon.  Then after the play list, I have on display a really sizzling hot group of muscular men that are Naked or Nearly So.  That should get your weekend started with a bang.  Thanks for the visit, see you tomorrow.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!