You know what sucks? How just about nobody in the country is willing to stand forward and say that gay and lesbian Americans should have the same right to volunteer to serve their country in the military as straights do. After all, there’s a couple wars on, and any American who is willing to stand to arms in those conflicts deserves our respect and our gratitude, regardless of his or her sexuality.

Alas, the kind of courage would-be gay and lesbian soldiers display is rare on Capitol Hill, where today U.S. Sen. Harry Reid is quoted by The Advocate’s website saying he’s yet to find a sponsor for legislation to repeal the awful “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy of former President Bill Clinton.

Excuse us? He’s “yet to find a sponsor”? Does Reid know that, as a senator, he’s entitled to introduce legislation? Look in the mirror, if you really need a sponsor!

Oh, that’s right: It’s an election year, and somehow, the Republicans have convinced the Democrats that the American people still firmly believe in discrimination in the armed forces, when nothing could be farther from the truth. We’d guess that most Americans agree with the late former U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater, who said, “You don’t have to be straight to shoot straight.” Ooh rah, senator.

But even if they don’t agree, it’s the job of a leader to lead. And sometimes, that means getting out there in front and telling everybody else to “follow me.” You know, the way a gay platoon leader would, if he or she were allowed to serve in the first place.

Reid suggested President Barack Obama — who himself has shown a shameful unwillingness to lead on the issue, despite campaign promises to do away with don’t ask, don’t tell — could simply issue an executive order to repeal the policy. But the White House says legislation is the way to go. So Reid said he’s waiting for a bill to come from the House of Representatives.

Again, excuse us? Reid does know that only spending bills must originate in the House, right? That the Senate could — tomorrow — introduce a bill to repeal don’t ask, don’t tell?  That he could be the one to do that, without having to wait for anybody else to act?

He does know that, right?

UPDATE: Some more negative reviews of Reid’s non-action, here and here and here.

UPDATE 2: And the New York Times has something to say about Obama’s role in the whole mess.