Breaking: Dan Choi and Jim Pietrangelo handcuffed to fence at White House in DADT protest

[deminks]

http://www.americablog.com/2010/03/breaking-dadt-activists-handcuff.html

John and I are both on the scene at the White House.

Lt. Dan Choi and Capt. Jim Pietrangelo have handcuffed themselves to the fence in front of the White House to protest Obama's failure to act on the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.


:patriot:

[katandmoon]

1. K&R for them

[joeybee12]

2. Good. KNR!

[Heidi]

3. Recommended.

:kick:

[Lex]

4. Heroes. nt

[kirby]

5. Photo

[Lex]

7. And another pic here

[marginlized]

6. Dan Choi is a hero with more guts than Bush ever had n/t

[muffin1]

29. Or Obama. n/t

[Lex]

8. Also Pam's House Blend has story and pix here

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/15573/lt-dan-choi-chains-himself-to-white-house-fence-during-dadt-protest

And I'm not surprised by this:

"Choi was speaking at the HRC rally at Freedom Plaza when he asked the group's executive director, Joe Solmonese, if he would march to the White House. Both Choi and Pietrangelo were discharged from the military under DADT. Choi is the founder of Knights Out, a West Point alumni organization supporting LGBT soldiers.
"You've been told that the White House has a plan," Choi told rally protesters. "But we learned this week that the president is still not fully committed. ... Following this rally, I will be leading to the White House to say 'enough talk.' ... I am still standing, I am still fighting, I am still speaking out, and I am still gay."

Kathy Griffin, who was in Washington at the behest of HRC to meet with members of Congress about DADT repeal, was also at the rally. When asked by Choi if she would march with him to the White House, Griffin responded, "Of course!"

Neither Griffin nor Solmonese was seen at the White House protest, however."

[Prism]

23. Someone tugged on Solmonese's leash, no doubt

And besides, it's just not the kind of presidential photo op he's interested in.

A fence and handcuffs are not a cocktail party, tantalizing as they may sound.

Choi is a true leader of the community. He's showing just how naked this President and Joe Solmonese can be.

[Lex]

25. when the going gets tough,

Solmonese gets going (elsewhere)

[Toasterlad]

9. Obama's Response: "Let Them Eat Rainbow Cake!"

No, but seriously; Barack Obama doesn't care about gay people.

[itsrobert]

10. Most handcuffs have an universal key

Doesn't take much for a cop or agent to unlock.

[kirby]

11. Not special gay bondage cuffs...

Apparently the Sergeant at Arms is trying to find Larry Craig for a key.

just kidding n/t

[Bluebear]

22. Whatever.

[Lex]

26. Haha. See, it was a joke.

sigh

[muffin1]

30. Oh, dear lord.

:thumbsdown:

[kirby]

33. If Jon Stewart said it you'd be laughing! n/t

[muffin1]

34. Jon Stewart wouldn't say it. Everything I've ever heard him say

leads me to believe he is not a bigot.


And I don't know how to tell you this, but you're no Jon Stewart.

[kirby]

36. Oh, so now I am a bigot?

And you must not watch TDS much. That joke fits right in.

[muffin1]

38. I watch The Daily Show quite often.

Jon Stewart MIGHT make a 'joke' like that if he was talking about a self-hating gay member of Congress who regularly legislates against GLBTers.
Never in a million years would he joke about two gay men bravely fighting for their civil rights. There is a difference, see?

If the story was about two black men fighting for their civil rights in this manner, would your joke be something like, "I hope they at least get some fried chicken while they're locked up"?

Can you see now how your 'joke' is offensive?

[kirby]

39. Uhh...

The whole point of my joke was making fun of a self-hating gay member of Congress Larry Craig. That was the punchline.

Sorry if I offended you.

[muffin1]

42. It was the special, gay bondage cuff remark that rubbed me the wrong way.

I found this story to be quite moving. And sad. And infuriating. I just can't believe that people are still fighting to be allowed to defend their own country. Maybe I'm a little quick on the draw sometimes.

Thanks for the apology.

[kirby]

43. Both of them are heroes...

In my mind, I was hoping someone from the WH staff would have come out and announced they were using an executive order to overturn DADT. I do think it will get overturned in the next year or so. I really think they are getting 'buy-in' from all the agencies and various people on the record saying that it is no longer an issue. Obama should have done it on day one instead of this long drawn out process.

[Smashcut]

44. Why would you even compare Lt Choi to Larry Craig???

[Toasterlad]

40. Actually, I Could See Stewart Making a Funnier Version Of That Joke

But I agree with you that kirby is no John Stewart. But then, who is?

[donheld]

46. Oh dear lord

:thumbsup:

[Lex]

12. Irrelevant. It was an act of civil disobedience

for an important cause.

[QC]

35. The American Lotus is more properly referred to as Nelumbo lutea. n/t

[arcadian]

13. Thanks Dan and Jim!

What is the Whitehouse response?

[Mari333]

19. hahaha their response is probably ' fucking retards' if its anyone progressive

[kirby]

14. Choi / Pietrangelo arrested, no longer cuffed to fence n/t

[Mari333]

20. yes, arrest them, we cannot have anyone embarassing the great leader

[tavalon]

28. I hope this arrest will help force the issue

Personally, I don't want to see any of my gay brethren killed in the pointless wars going on, but I will defend their right to be in the military if they so choose.

[theHandpuppet]

15. Thank you, Lt Dan and Capt Jim!

:patriot:

[Mari333]

16. knr!!!

[Prism]

17. Thank you, Mr. President!

Oh, wait . . .

Sigh, I had the washcloth on standby and everything.

But seriously, how courageous is Dan Choi? I want to be like him when I grow up. That is what fighting for what you know is right looks like. President Obama should take some notes.

[Bluebear]

21. Is the Fierce Advocate home?

[Prism]

24. Can equality come out to play?

[bigwillq]

18. K and R

Thank you, Dan and Jim.

[tavalon]

27. Awesome

They are a couple of gutsy military men.

[readmoreoften]

31. +1

K&R

[muffin1]

32. It brings tears to my eyes.

Imagine, having to chain yourself to the White House in order to bring attention to discrimination. A White House with our first black, Democratic President, at that. Unreal.

You are heroes, Lt. Choi and Capt. Pietrangelo!:patriot:

[Bluenorthwest]

37. The Obamas are inside consulting Josh DuBois

about how to better pray the gay away. Louder McClurkin music? More Rick Warren blessings?

[Eyerish]

41. K&R

[Lex]

45. kicking this from earlier today

:kick: