A re-imagined version of a much more serious version of an earlier draft.

I'm thinking of writing a more irreverent version for a younger crowd - all claims and facts supported with footnotes.  I've started an intro to demonstrate tone.

Thoughts?  Is it worth finishing?

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Today Is Zero Hour 2.0

by Jay Boda

The Prussians Are Coming!

Do you remember that scene from the movie, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" where Ferris takes over a huge parade?  He's singing "Twist and Shout" surrounded by dancing ladies entranced by his charismatic spell.  Do you know what the parade celebrated?  Most think it's just a generic Oktoberfest parade since the young ladies wear German dirndls.  Surprise!  It's a gay pride - sort of. 

Okay...okay... before you get your lederhosen in a bunch, let me explain.  The parade celebrates one of America's greatest military leaders.  Once upon a time, there was a nobleman from Prussia - stay with me, this gets good - his name was Friedrich Wilhelm August Heinrich Ferdinand von Steuben - you might know him as General Von Stueben, Baron von Stueben, or Stuebey to his closest friends (okay, I made up that last bit.)  He was recruited by Benjamin Franklin to whip the rag tag American colonists into shape to fight the British army.  Von Steuben is widely credited in creating the Continental Army's military drill and discipline program.  He authored, "The Revolutionary War Drill Manual," the book that was the gold standard of U.S. military drill for decades with portions still used today. (1)  He was the first Inspector General of the Army and commanded troops at America's victory at Yorktown.  When a certain father of the nation - General George Washington - was passing out thank you cards for a job well done, General Von Stueben was at the top of his list.  Oh yeah, one more thing.  Von Stueben was gay, most folks knew about it, and no one seemed to care.  Happy Fourth of July, America!  (2)

So why the history lesson?  Because 234 years after our nation's birth, we seem to have a big problem with gays serving in our military.  In fact, the issue is being in debated in a lame duck session of Congress right this very second.  And I need you to help me do something about it.

1. Chase, Philander D. "Friedrich Wilhelm Von Steuben." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 11 Nov. 2010. Web. 13 Nov. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Wilhelm_von_Steuben>.

2. Shilts, Randy. "Prologue." Conduct Unbecoming: Gays and Lesbians in the U.S. Military. New York: St. Martin's, 1993. Print.

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