When Joycelyn Elders was appointed the 15th Surgeon General of the United States I was 4-years-old; when she was fired by Bill Clinton for saying that she thinks masturbation is ”part of human sexuality, and perhaps it should be taught” I was 6-years-old. Thus, it wasn’t until I watched Lake of Fire last night that I became aware of her enlightened and progressive candor. In 2011 Elders, like America’s sexual consciousness, hasn’t changed, and so today I’m taking a moment to appreciate that when given the opportunity she fought the good fight.

It’s arguable that Lake of Fire is unnecessarily protracted, but I thought it to be a valuable and measured examination of “abortion” and everything that the word inspires. I laughed, I felt dumbfounded, I pondered, and that’s all I can ask for. I’m happy to learn that its notorious director Tony Kaye recently completed a movie about American high school education called Detachment, and that it’s set to be widely released (either VOD, theatrically, or both) in February.

If I could dress as 1993 Joycelyn Elders for Halloween next year and have my intentions of tribute (not mocking) made clear, I would. I won’t.