The NY Times has a wonderful feature on 92-year-old Massapequa, Long Island resident Hyman Strachman who devotedly sends care packages to troops overseas. And what's in the packages? Bootlegged copies of Hollywood blockbusters, which troops receive sometimes before they are even in the States. Strachman admitted to violating copyright laws, but explained, "Every time I got back an emotional e-mail or letter [from a soldier], I sent them another box." more ›

4,500 Americans perished in almost nine years of war, on top of the $800 billion in taxpayer money spent. But the number of Iraqis that were killed is more than 100,000, which is a conservative estimate. “We are glad to see the last U.S. soldier leaving the country today," Said Hassan, a 25-year-old Baghdad shop owner said. "But the most important thing now is the future of Iraq. The Americans have left behind them a country that is falling apart and an Iraqi army and security forces that have a long way ahead to be able to defend the nation and the people.” more ›

Last December our President signed into law a repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. But despite that the policy hasn't actually gone away. Until now. Tomorrow the U.S. Army will become the first branch of the military to officially do away with the policy. For all those worried that something was going to suddenly appear on the horizon and end the march of progress, well, breathe easy. Looks like we're in the clear. The full text of the announcement, after the jump. more ›

The Pentagon ordered the military to begin accepting openly gay recruits yesterday, and the Daily News reports at least three openly gay recruits who were kicked out of the military have applied for service again. They include Lt. Dan Choi, the former New York National Guardsman who was discharged after he announced his sexual orientation, and the Grand Marshal in the 2010 Gay Pride Parade. He enlisted at the Armed Forces Recruiting Station in Times Square (video below), and took his application as an opportunity to speak his mind about DADT. He wrote: more ›

You Gave Me Herpes on 14th Street, by David on Gothamist Contribute. Send yours to photos (at) gothamist if you want us to use them. more ›

, a photography exhibit at the Municipal Art Society gallery, closing this Thursday, July 8. more ›