I don't need to know Eric personally, because I have nothing personal against him. The fact is, that like many other young Americans, he made a stupid, morally indefensible decision to join the American war machine, and unless I missed something, he hasn't expressed any particular regrets about his role in the oppression of Iraq.

As for the gay pride parade, there was a time when the event had a much more radical, anti-authoritarian character, especially in the years immediately after Stonewall, but now, at least in Chicago, it has become depressingly mainstream - just look at all the cops, politicians, and corporate sponsors involved.