Breaking: Lt. Choi to Report for Duty Tomorrow

[kpete]

Source: Daily Kos

Breaking: Lt. Choi to Report for Duty Tomorrow!
by jpmassar
Tue Dec 21, 2010 at 03:46:34 PM PST

Via ltdanchoi on Twitter

The commander in chief invited me to attend tomorrow's bill signing; I am honored to report for duty.

And as exciting:

Reclaiming my West Point ring at 1p in the majority leader's office. I'm grateful for his leadership, service, and safe-keeping.


Read more: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/12/21/930775/-Breaking:-Lt.-Choi-to-Report-for-Duty-Tomorrow!

---

http://twitter.com/ltdanchoi

[Poll_Blind]

1. What an amazing rollercoaster this man's life has been. He should have a movie based on his....

...experiences as an inspiration to us all.

PB

[slygirl]

23. I'm not feeling a movie

Choi was always very angry and disrespectful to Obama. Now he is "honored to attend the signing of the bill". That's inspiring?

[LynneSin]

28. Can you blame the guy?

I mean first and foremost I'm the biggest Obama cheerleader here. But this guy wants to serve his country but simply because he is gay he can't. And yet there are men who have raped and harassed women who, because they are straight, are still allowed to serve because the military refuses to deal with that issue and women suffer because of it.

If anything we need more Lt Choi in are army.

[lunatica]

38. He wasn't disrespectful, unless you mean being critical is being disrespectful

Angry yes. And with complete justification because it looked to anyone who was paying attention as if Obama was just jerking the LGBT community around.

[Tx4obama]

43. See link below

What Choi said in October ...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/21/dan-choi-barack-obama_n_771634.html

[okieinpain]

60. nah, he was pretty disrespectful. n/t.

[CLANG]

46. Maybe a TV mini-series?

[HuckleB]

52. Ah, so he's a real, live human being.

Yeah, we should never make movies about real people, with real struggles.

:eyes:

[okieinpain]

59. i agree, he was being pretty hateful that last time I saw him on

rachel.

[RetroLounge]

64. Did he insult your messiah?

Tough shit.

RL

[BrightKnight]

68. I'm sure that President Obama saw it for what it was. He may

have been a little frustrated. I doubt that Obama maintains political enemies lists for petty stuff like that.

[redirish28]

2. That is the best news I've heard all day.

[Oceansaway]

3. wooooohoooooo !!...nt

[krispos42]

4. I hope he gets to keep his rank and seniority n/t

[nolabear]

5. I am so touched. I'll bet he never thought when he joined up

that this would be his most important battle.

[derby378]

6. But will he ever be allowed back in the military?

If not, I fear there may be a lingering injustice here. Choi deserves a second chance.

[No Elephants]

56. Doesn't everyone ever discharged simply for being gay?

[derby378]

57. You can easily substitute anyone else's name for Choi

He's one of the most visible examples of what DADT has done to our military, so I used him as my own example.

[tpsbmam]

7. K&R for Lt. Choi's amazing courage! nt

[boppers]

8. What's the story with the ring?

I must have missed that....

[JI7]

10. Reid made some promise to pass repeal of DADT and Choi gave him

his ring. Reid said that he would give it back after it passed.

[haele]

12. His Academy Ring - we call academy officers "ring knockers"

DoD Officers receive their commission and insignias of rank through act of Congress (usually by a letter) upon graduation from the recognized military academies, OCS, or other methods recognized by the DoD. When midshipmen or cadets graduate, part of their official insignia along with their bar is an academy ring.
Didn't he gave his academy ring to Reid as a sign of protest over his discharge under DADT, much like other Officers have turned in their medals in other protests? If so, as part of regaining his commission from Congress, his ring will be returned to him.

Haele

[24601]

65. Your information is inaccurate. We buy our academy rings out of

our own funds and it's purchase is optional, although I'm unaware of any who declined. And it's isn't part of graduation but is worn throughout 1st class (senior) year. Ring Weekend for the class of 2011 was 20-21 August. A ring is not part of military official insignia.

Officers are not commissioned by congress but by the president. Warrant officers who are not commissioned (those in Grade W-1) receive their warrant from their service secretary.

Regardless of the headline, Mr. Choi was not reporting for duty. The timing and requirements for returning to the service have not yet been determined.

[starroute]

13. Here's a YouTube video of Reid getting it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA8vFHZNZEE

[pinboy3niner]

9. K&R

[dhill926]

11. Whoop!

Good for him. A brave man.....

[Zenlitened]

14. Good news. Choi deserves a lot of credit for his role in this victory. - n/t

[lonestarnot]

15. Lt Dan!

:patriot:

[Odin2005]

16. God Speed, Soldier.

[elleng]

17. FABULOUS!

Hope he's OK!

[myrna minx]

18. And I didn't think I'd cry tonight.

:cry:

[Tx4obama]

19. Awesome news! I am very happy he changed his mind & decided to go to the bill signing. n/t

[craigmatic]

20. The military needs everyone they can get at this point and we need more working people paying taxes.

It's a win-win.

[DonCoquixote]

21. A REAL AMERICAN HERO

Worth a dozen of the cowards that worked with Lyddie England.

[underseasurveyor]

22. Wow that is amazingly cool. Good for him.

Thats such great news.

[ooglymoogly]

24. Here is a true role model. Goodonya Lt. Choi; you are a true American. kr nt.

[bullwinkle428]

25. K&R - we can use more with his incredible level of courage.

[burrowowl]

26. Yssssssss! K&R

[Overseas]

27. K&R! Yaay Lt Choi !!

[Lugnut]

29. Fan-freakin-tastic!

It's about bleeping time.
:patriot:

[earcandle]

30. Congratulations! I am so glad to hear you got your career back!

[Dappleganger]

31. I feel safer already...

my only wish is that he would lead the rest of our soldiers on their way home.

[Dystopian]

32. Joy!

peace~

[burning rain]

33. AWESOME!

It's wonderful to see things come full circle like this. Good for Lt Choi, and good work by him. And good on Obama, Reid, and even Lieberman. And of course Pelosi, who wins so consistently for Democrats that we often take her for granted.

[SoapBox]

34. Way cool....

Congrats Dan!

[suffragette]

35. Looks like Margaret Witt will be there as well

http://www.aclu-wa.org/major-witt-attend-signing-ceremony-repeal-don-t-ask-don-t-tell
MAJOR WITT TO ATTEND SIGNING CEREMONY FOR REPEAL OF DON’T ASK, DON’T TELL

Major Margaret Witt, a much-decorated Air Force officer from Washington state, will attend tomorrow’s Presidential signing ceremony for the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Maj. Witt flew to Washington, DC today in preparation for the event set for Wednesday morning at the U.S. Interior Department.

Represented by the ACLU of Washington, Major Witt is challenging her dismissal from the Air Force under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” In September, the U.S. District Court in Tacoma found that her sexual orientation had no negative impact on her unit’s cohesion and ordered that she be reinstated as soon as practicable. The government is appealing the ruling but did not seek to stay the reinstatement order.

“I’ve always had faith in our Commander-in-Chief that ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ would be repealed. I want to be at the ceremony for all those who can’t be. And I’m more excited than ever to resume my duty of serving my country,” said Major Witt, from Washington, DC

Maj. Witt hopes to rejoin the Air Force in early 2011. She will be the first openly gay service member to serve in the military by a court order from a lawsuit challenging “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

[Tx4obama]

42. Maj. Witt and Eric Alva were both on the stage w/Obama at the bill signing :) n/t

[suffragette]

44. Good news to wake up to :)

[Tx4obama]

49. No, it wasn't Witt - I was wrong.

It was activist / retired Navy Cmdr. Zoe Dunning that was on the stage with Obama at the signing.
----

Commander Zoe Dunning, who made history *14 years ago when she came out as a lesbian and won her discharge case with the military, retired after 22 years of military service .... http://www.samspadesf.com/2007/06/zoe-dunning-pam-grey.html

*17 years ago now, cause the article is from 2007.

[democrank]

36. Bless Lt. Choi

[Myrina]

37. Ok, dumb question time:

He was just diagnosed with PTSD from all the stress ... and he's going to re-enlist? And possibly be deployed? Is that really in his best interest?


:shrug:

[Recursion]

55. I don't think there's been a decision about past discharges yet

That is, people who are discharged are as of now still discharged; the bill doesn't overturn that (the branches may decide to do that, but that still has to be worked out). When Choi says he's "reporting for duty" he means showing up at the signing.

Also, just as a technical point, officers don't "enlist".

[lunatica]

39. Well good for Obama for recognizing Lt. Choi's historic role in this

I'm sure most of us thought Lt. Choi was thrown under the bus. Turns out he wasn't though, and that's pretty damn good. This is a Big Fucking Deal!

[madmax]

40. Well deserved, Lt. Choi - American Hero k&r

[madmax]

41. Yes........... a BFD!! Major Big. kick

[Tx4obama]

45. Photos of Dan Choi arriving at the bill signing, and Barney Frank during ceremony

Lt. Dan Choi, right, arrives at Interior Department in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, before President Barack Obama signs the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010, into law. At left is Petty Officer Autumn Sandeen.


Barney Frank at the bill signing

[tootrueleft]

47. Some good news for a man of honour.

[MobileCuisine]

48. Fabulous News

So thankful the bill was passed. Good for the LT, and thank you for your service.

MC

[boycottfaux]

50. Congratulations, Lt. Choi

About time this bill has passed!!

Hey, did anyone see that conservative 'reporter' ask Barney
Frank his opinion about the military providing separate shower
stalls for 'gay' and straight military men?

These homophobes are INSANE!!!

[Duncan Grant]

51. Thank you, Lt. Dan Choi.

:applause:

[Tx4obama]

53. I wonder if there will be photos after the 1pm Choi/Reid 'pick up the ring' meeting n/t

[VeryConfused]

54. Excellent!

[Lucky 13]

58. Ho-lee-shit.

I wonder how he will be received/re-integrated prior to the "implementation plans".

I wish the Lt. the very very best of luck and thank him for the many many ways he has served his country.

[DemocraticPilgrim]

61. Justice for Christmas what better present than that. and many great days ahead if we give the Pres.

2 terms.

[closeupready]

62. Frankly, Choi is a hero to me, and I don't care what anyone else here says about him.

I salute him. :patriot:

[Tx4obama]

63. Here's a link to a video here on DU of Dan Choi getting his ring BACK from Senator Reid

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x537704

[causamortis]

66. Military protocol

Not sure if this has been brought up yet, but Lt. Choi isn't just an ordinary American, he's a former officer and soon to be re-instated officer. Members of the military can't go on the record as being hostile of belligerant towards the Command in Cheif. Sure he's free to say whatever he wishes once he is discharged, but directly insulting the president in the media, then wishing to get re-instated is another issue. I support Lt. Choi stance on the DADT policy, but as a former officer myself I am not so sure if I support all of his actions.

[Tsiyu]

67. Don't have TV here at my Palatial Estate

but was fortunate enough to be visiting with a liberal friend during Countdown and Maddow.

It was so great to see the Lt. receive his ring back - and to see the original footage of him giving the ring to Reid.

(And it was absolutely hilarious to see Barney Frank give a rightie-tightie "journalist" What For.

Dry cleaned! My 88-year-old friend laughed heartily at that one.)

DU seems low-key about all that's transpired today. But it is a good day. I am happy for all who are positively affected by the day's history.

And I am proud of Obama and the Congress for doing the right thing.


As Choi said, the next ring a man gives him had better mean a real American marriage...

The wheels of progress move slowly. Today we went forward one more step.


Thanks for the thread kpete