Sex, guns and human rights

In the past, Australia has not been afraid to expend political capital on pursuing moral issues, at the expense of alliance relationships. Japan and whaling comes to mind. But: (i) These are people, not whales; (ii) Unlike Japan's whaling, Australia shares a degree of responsibility for the US policy, due to our fused military relationship; and (iii) The action required to make our point would be much less drastic than that exerted upon Japan.

Yes, it might be a bit little awkward to bring up (I'm imagining K-Rudd… "Admiral Mullen, Sir, uuhhmm, let's call a spade a spade, there's no silver bullet for this one, but… uumh you know how you don't let "queers" in your army, well, we don't think that's right, and it's embarrassing for us to serve with you guys because of it. …fair shake of the sauce bottle?").

However, for us to know that our US pals are responsible for needless institutionalised discrimination, and to not do anything about it, is in fact more than just embarrassing. It's gutless. Frank friends are fine friends. And the bottom line is, it's not worth freeing strangers if you are a prisoner in your own country.

The views expressed in this article are the author's own opinions, and do not necessarily represent the views of the ADF or any other organisation.