I need a dedicated program similar to Comictastic, but for Windows.

Interesting program, but that one is for comic books. That actually amazes me… people read their comic books on their computers?! That’s a new one on me.

I still haven’t found any webcomic readers for Windows. What’s with the Windows community always harping about how they have more software than other platforms??

Posted: June 13, 2007 - 2:00 pm ET

(Des Moines, Iowa) A national tour to build grassroots support for repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, the ban on gays serving openly in the military, has gotten underway in Des Moines, Iowa.

That the Human Rights Campaign, which is sponsoring the national tour by a diverse group of veterans chose Iowa for the launch was no accident. The state caucuses in January will officially mark the start of the 2008 presidential campaign.

“This national tour will show the faces of those who have served and sacrificed under this discriminatory policy,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.

“The American people have already overwhelmingly decided that our military should be about service and not about holding on to policies that dishonor our troops.”

Among those participating in the tour is former Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva, the first U.S. service member wounded in Iraq. He lost a leg when he stepped on a landmine.

Earlier this year he said that losing his leg forced him out of the closet.

“It made me realize everything that I had to actually speak up for - basically the rights and privileges of what I as an individual have earned in this country,” he said in a February interview.

“I question the integrity of a policy that would rather turn its head and pretend that people such as myself, and other gay and lesbian service members, don’t exist. And it is my duty, as a veteran and as an American, to question the integrity of individuals who would disregard the contributions of honorable men and women all over this great nation,” said James Taylor, a local Iowa naval veteran, at Tuesday night’s forum at the Iowa Historical Society in downtown Des Moines.

“Most people think it just literally means they don’t ask you, you don’t tell,” former military linguist Alex Nicholson Nicholson, another former servicemember on the tour, said in an interview with the Associated Press.

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is a nice little soundbite. But it’s more like, ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell, don’t happen to be found in anyway at anytime whatsoever.”’

The Democratic contenders for the presidency all oppose Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. The Republican candidates favor keeping it.

“During the beginning of the 2008 presidential election, this tour will ensure that the debate around repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is focused on the real issue at hand,” said Solmonese.

“Those candidates running to be the next commander in chief will have to decide if they believe the sexual orientation of an Arabic linguist is more important than their ability to potentially decode the next piece of intelligence that could finally capture Osama Bin Laden.”

The tour also includes stops in Phoenix, Ariz.; Orlando, Fla.; Palm Springs, Calif.; Seattle, Wash.; and New Hampshire.

In February, Congressman Marty Meehan (D-MA), chair of the House Armed Services Sub-Committee on Oversight and Investigations, reintroduced legislation to repeal DADT. (story)

Meehan is scheduled to leave the House of Representatives later this summer. On Wednesday Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher (D-CA), Chairman of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee and a long-time Congressional advocate on military issues, said she will succeed Meehan as the lead sponsor of the repeal bill.

“For too long the policy of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ has prevented talented and otherwise qualified men and women from serving their country,” said Tauscher. “It’s a discriminatory policy that runs counter to the most fundamental American values of patriotism and equality.”

Two lawsuits challenging DADT are underway. One, by the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network is underway in federal court in Boston and a second, by Log Cabin Republicans, is before a federal court in California. (story)

Last week the Bush administration avoided a potential showdown with the Senate and announced it will not reappoint Gen. Peter Pace as chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Pace has been contentious in his role as chair of the Joint Chiefs, not only for his handling of the Iraq war but for his religious fervor in supporting DADT.

In March he told the Chicago Tribune that he considers homosexuality to be immoral and the military should not condone it by allowing gay soldiers to serve openly.

“I believe homosexual acts between two individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts,” Pace said.

Pace then likened homosexuality to adultery, which he said was also immoral.

“I do not believe the United States is well served by a policy that says it is OK to be immoral in any way.”

Pace later said he regretted making the remarks but refused to apologize for them.

©365Gay.com 2007