And Yet Maybe They Shouldn’t Recycle It Into Napkins January 4, 2007March 5, 2017 SORRY, CAN’T RESIST* A Polish immigrant went for an eye exam to get his driver’s license. The examiner showed him a card with the letters: C Z W I X N O S T A C Z ‘Can you read this?’ asked the examiner. ‘Read it?’ replied the applicant – ‘I know the guy.’ *Thanks Roger, who thanks Gus. SHALIKASHVILI Yesterday’s Early Bird – the clipping service that goes to all military leaders throughout the Pentagon – carried the former Joint Chiefs chair’s op-ed that I linked you to, in full. An AP story reported on it nationwide. Former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, asked about it on CNN, opined that it was indeed time to revisit Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. President Clinton – who tried to lift the ban on gays in the military outright in 1993, but was forced to settle for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell – wrote in August, 2003: Simply put, there is no evidence to support a ban on gays in the military. From the pages of history down to the present time, we know that gays have served with great heroism in military units. We should learn, too, from some of our most effective military allies, like Great Britain and Israel, who do not discriminate against gays and lesbians. . . . I have faith that, in time, change will come. That time shouldn’t be this month – our friends in the Republican Party and on rightwing radio would like nothing better than to say that, ‘the minute you elect Democrats, their first priority is always gays in the military.’ But with the country’s attitudes so much more enlightened than they were in 1993 (thanks to people like you), and the military stretched so thin (thanks to people like you know who), it should be soon. COSTA RICA Peg: Your resortlet sounds incredible! If only I could afford it. But why don’t you contrast it to this? The prices make your spot sound like the Costco of ocean vistas!’ HAVE YOU EVER REALLY *THOUGHT* ABOUT ELEPHANT POO? Well, it seems that you should. Click here. Matt Madigan: ‘It’s a wonderful blend of capitalism and conservation that may be of some use to your readers who enjoy giving unique gifts or have young people they would like to instruct. Having received some of the stationery this holiday season, I can tell you it’s quite nice, and the story behind this unique paper is even better!’