We know Washington people in all these categories, and some will be waiting in line today. This is a great demonstration of joy, optimism, and love in a city that is often the scene of cynicism. I’m very happy for all of you. If we were not already married, we would be lining up with you.

Read the CNN.com article.

I know it isn’t exactly chili season, but in my book there is no such season. If you could share yours, our tummies would be most grateful. So would some readers. If you’re too shy to post, e-mail your recipe to me.

Thanks!

chili

The 46th Annual DeCelle Memorial Lake Tahoe Relay will take place on June 12.

The most scenic run in all of America, the route runs completely around Lake Tahoe. Seven-member teams run the seven legs, each 8-12 miles long, for a total of 72 miles, through both California and Nevada. It is a favorite race for many teams, who return year after year. If you want to participate, you have better register early. There are a limited number of slots and last year some teams had to be turned away because they didn’t register early enough.

This is the 46th annual race! The race’s founder, Robert E. DeCelle Sr., devoted his life to promoting distance running, serving as an official, certifying courses, and lobbying for more events. His advocacy was instrumental in gaining support for women to compete in distance running events. He passed away in 1997, two weeks after the 33rd annual relay.

The race is named after Robert DeCelle, Sr’s son, Captain Robert DeCelle, Jr. “Bobby” as his family called him, an avid high school runner. Drafted into the Army in 1966, he flew a helicopter during the Vietnam War. In February 1971 his helicopter was hit and he suffered severe injuries, yet he managed to pilot it away from the battle and thus saved the lives of his crew. He died from his injuries about a week later on February 21, 1971. He was heavily decorated by the Army and a base in Vietnam was named for him. At that time, the Lake Tahoe Relay was renamed in his honor.

This not-for-profit relay event is staffed each year by dozens of volunteers, most of them friends and extended DeCelle family members. All profit from entry fees goes to local high school running programs, a fitting tribute to both Robert Sr. and Bobby. The race is managed and coordinated by April DeCelle Carter, who is Robert Sr.’s daughter, Bobby’s sister, and—as you might expect—an avid runner herself.

For more information, go to the race’s web site, http://www.laketahoerelay.com, or send me an e-mail message and I’ll snail mail you a flyer with registration information.

Okay, I admit it. We have a family connection. My charming and talented daughter Olivia married Scott Carter, April’s son and Robert Sr.’s grandson. Mike and I will be doing our part during the race, directing traffic, cheering runners, and playing with the West’s most charming grandkids as much as possible.

DeCelle Memorial Lake Tahoe Relay, Lake Tahoe, Robert E. DeCelle Sr, distance running, distance running, Captain Robert DeCelle, Jr., Lake Tahoe Relay, relay, April DeCelle Carter

One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries. —A.A. Milne, author of Winnie the Pooh.

But sometimes the hurt of language cuts even deeper. The leaders of my own church, the Mormons, for example, insists that there are no homosexuals, only people who “suffer from same-sex attraction,” SSA. No, wait, they have changed the words again. Seemingly unable to use the word “sex” they now say we suffer from “same-gender attraction.” Words matter.

But I digress. The New York Times article:

New Poll Shows Support for Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

By DALIA SUSSMAN
As the Obama administration proposes repealing the policy known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” a new New York Times/CBS News poll finds that a majority of the public support allowing openly gay men and women to serve in the military.

There’s less support, however, for allowing homosexuals to serve openly.

Confused?

The results highlight the importance of wording on the issue. In a test, half of the poll’s respondents were asked their opinion on permitting “gay men and lesbians” to serve, and the other half were asked about permitting “homosexuals” to serve.

The wording of the question proved to make a difference. Seven in 10 respondents said they favor allowing “gay men and lesbians” to serve in the military, including nearly 6 in 10 who said they should be allowed to serve openly. But support was somewhat lower among those who were asked about allowing “homosexuals” to serve, with 59 percent in favor, including 44 percent who support allowing them to serve openly.

Democrats in the poll seemed particularly swayed by the wording. Seventy-nine percent of Democrats said they support permitting gay men and lesbians to serve openly. Fewer Democrats however, just 43 percent, said they were in favor of allowing homosexuals to serve openly. Republicans and independents varied less between the two terms.

As the debate of repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” moves forward, these findings illustrate the influence that simple language can have.

The national telephone poll was conducted with 1,084 adults Feb. 5-10 and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus four percentage points for each half sample. Complete poll results and article will be available this evening at www.nytimes.com.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/11/new-poll-shows-support-for-repeal-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/

New York Times , Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

I’m sure a lot of 61-year-old men would love to have this driver’s license picture.

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