Do tell . . . this week marks a special anniversary

It has already been a year since the military ended its policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and lifted its ban on gay men and women in the service.  And as was the case with gay marriage in Massachusetts some eight years ago, Western civilization did not fall, and in fact very little changed - except in the lives of those who had long suffered under the weight of institutionalized bigotry.

Of course, there have been some reported harassments, and there are still issues to be addressed (such as medical insurance for the wives and husbands of gay personnel).  But the new atmosphere is perhaps best summed up in the video above, which was posted last December, after Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta won the right to the coveted "first kiss" when the USS Oak Hill docked in Virginia after 80 days at sea. Officer Gaeta chose to share the very public smooch with her girlfriend, Citlalic Snell - to cheers from an enthusiastic crowd. The ensuing YouTube clip drew 1.5 million viewers. We're still waiting on the collapse of Western civilization.