***WHERE*** is Lt. Dan Choi?

[Bluebear]

via Americablog:

UPDATE: Dan's representative just called the DC Central Cellblock, where Dan and James are being held. I'm told it's a nasty place. They report that they're not giving Dan a phone call. So he doesn't get bail. He's reportedly going to see a judge tomorrow. Something is going on.

UPDATE: We have more information. This is increasingly disturbing. It increasingly looks as though someone has decided to play hardball with Dan and James. The Park Police say that Dan is not being released on bail. Dan also has not made his phone call to the person designed to pay his bail - the person's phone number is written on Dan's arm, so there's no chance he doesn't have it. That means that Dan apparently is not being permitted a phone call, and thus not being permitted to have anyone pay his bail. Why not? We have just learned that Dan is in fact being charged with "failure to obey a lawful order," yet that charge usually means you get processed, you pay bail, and you leave. Then why are they not letting Dan Choi leave, but instead are holding him to be arraigned? Why are they apparently not permitting Dan his phone call?

As you know, Lt. Dan Choi got arrested today at the White House along with Capt. James Pietrangelo. Both men handcuffed themselves to the White House gates in protest of the President's "ambivalence" over repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell. The odd thing is that Dan appears to be missing. Kerry Eleved at the Advocate reported that the Park Police said Dan was being held in Anacostia. A friend called the MPD station in Anacostia, and they told him that they weren't holding anyone. The Park Police also reported that Dan was being held overnight, which, according to an MPD source, is unusual if in fact Dan is being charged with "failure to obey a lawful order," as it's being reported, usually you'd be released on bail immediately. So why are Dan and James being held overnight? And why can't anyone even find out where they're being held?

http://gay.americablog.com/2010/03/where-is-dan-choi.html

[kestrel91316]

1. If they fail to permit him to contact counsel, they will LOSE whatever case they file against

him, on appeal. Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200.

[rhett o rick]

2. Huh? Where have you been for the last decade. Read the Patriot Act.

They can literally do whatever they want.

[Bluebear]

3. Exactly, which the President just extended.

[Mari333]

yep

is this all about now wanting to embarrass Obama, yet again?? we cannot embarrass him about this damned health care bill, now we cannot embarrass him about DADT??

boy, are they going to arrest everyone in the antiwar marches this weekend??

[rhett o rick]

43. I am very disappointed. The only reason I can figure is that it was part of the

deal for the Bush cabal stepping down.

[icee]

104. Yep

[kestrel91316]

60. Er, NO. FAIL. He is entitled to due process.

[rhett o rick]

83. READ THE PATRIOT ACT. No more due fucking process. nm

[piratefish08]

111. and the President was gracious enough to extend it..........

land of the free, home of the disappeared.

[rhett o rick]

120. Well maybe if he uses it to get Cheney in jail it's ok.

Who says situational ethics is bad? jk

But I do love to scare the hell out of the freepers by telling them that all the spying and illegal actions created by Bushy are now available to Pres Barak Hussein Obama.

[rhett o rick]

123. Do you intend the use of FAIL to be rude? nm

[gimama]

28. 2004 rnc in nyc ..HUGE protests

anti-bush protests..
1,000's were entrapped/trapped/hauled OFF to filthy, contaminated, nasty,bad "holding pens" for DAYS, without phone calls(among OTHER things)..People didn't know where their kids/SO/Friends were,separated in the frenzy, those CAPTURED taken away, without notifying ANYone..These protestors were simply 'missing' for about a week..
they finally were released, after all the rnc folks went home.
When the protestors sued that their RIGHTS were violated, the City ended up paying about $100/per protestor, for their 'trouble'..
but who cares?! at least the protestors #'s were diminished somewhat,during the rnc, & the 'visitors' spared being 'upset'..
MAYBE SOME OF THOSE "DIRTY HIPPIES"(IRAQ Veterans, MILITARY Families!)learned a little sumthin'..!
I had forgotten how upsetting this was to ME as I saw it unfold, in '04..tonight, I feel it again. Our Loved Ones, fighting for (?) across the World, & here at HOME, AMERICANS denied THEIR RIGHTS & abused, traumatised.

[Starry Messenger]

4. Dammit.

x(

[3waygeek]

5. Is Lt. Choi still officially in the military?

If so, he may not have the same rights to phone call, etc. as civilians. He would instead be subject to military justice, such as it is.

[readmoreoften]

7. No. That's what he's protesting.

[itsrobert]

11. His wiki page says that the final decision on his discharge is still pending. n/t

n/t

[vadawg]

37. if so they may be holding him for the military, hence no bail

also he may be being held in segregation where he will not have acces to a phone if he made statements that were irrational or towards doing harm to himself, there are so many variables here and we dont have enough info.

[Lex]

40. "doing harm to himself"

where'd that come from?

[vadawg]

41. no im explaining one of the reasons that people are denied the phone

not specific to this situation, if someone comes through the door and they make suicidal statements then they are segregated and dont get the phone until forensics can see them.. sorry to confuse you..

[RaleighNCDUer]

118. Your point being, whether they made such statements or not, if the

police so desire.

When he finally DOES get to communicate and says he made no suicidal statement, it's just his word against theirs, and HE'S the one in handcuffs.

[tkmorris]

69. You are shameless

You never change your tune, I'll give you that.

[vadawg]

76. and you are clueless, you do realise that i am explaining why he may not have made a call

i guess if your mechanic explains to you why something isnt working on your car you go all like this as well..

[tkmorris]

100. I would be clueless, if I believed that was your motivation

Please tell me you really don't believe he hasn't made a phone call because he is on suicide watch. You are really reaching when you offer "explanations" like this, it's just silly.

[vadawg]

101. i think i said i dont know, but i did give reasons why people dont get

to make phone calls, take it for what its worth, im interested in what my motivation could possibly be other than to impart some expertise into what happens when you are arrested..

[Jamastiene]

85. Wow, I'll bet Hollywood will be knocking on your door soon.

Your version of events (that are happening behind closed doors) is amazing.

So, what's the latest inside scoop?
What did he have for dinner?
Are they feeding him?

Run with it. Make it a Lifetime Movie Network movie.
Shit, have some fun. In the absence of facts, just make some more shit up, why don't ya? What happens next?

:popcorn:

[Name removed]

91. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Jamastiene]

93. So, "expert insight" is what they call crystal balls, nowadays?

Who knew? Unless you have some source that he ever threatened to harm himself, you are just making shit up.

[vadawg]

94. and again you miss the fact that i was not talking specifically about him

just a couple of the reasons why i would deny someone who came in the door the phone... and yes it is considered expert opinion...

[Webster Green]

155. Looks like Porky got a pizza delivery..

Oops!

[Jamastiene]

158. Wow

:wow:

[vadawg]

95. you do realise that i was giving expert opinon on a couple of reasons why someone in custody might

not call out, as i said there is not enough info to know exactly what is happening, but i can tell you its not uncommon for someone not to have access to a phone for the first couple of hours of being in custody..

[vadawg]

46. no one has a right to a phone call, you do have the right to have someone contacted for you

so jails in general will give you the phone so the deputies dont have to make calls, but there are circumstances when the phone will be denied..

[mcollins]

78. Yeah, they can just lock him up on a army base

right? Does the military have any rights to council or anything?

As commander in chief, can't the President just pardon him? or dismiss any charges the military brings?

[BR_Parkway]

103. The Lt. is still on active duty service and subject to the UCMJ - fairly

standard operating procedures for local, civilian police to turn over military personnel to the Judge Advocate with area jurisdiction. I've seen it reported that he's being charged with "failure to obey a lawful order" - that could be a civilian or military charge depending on who issued the order. I'm certain other charges will be levied against him for wearing his uniform during a political activity along with whatever else they can throw at him.

He is awaiting discharge approval from the Senate Armed Services committee, but until then, he's still in the military with all that carries.

There is no right to a phone call btw, only access to a lawyer within the first 72 hours of confinement as well as an appearance in front of a judge to assess the charges.

I'm going to say something - as a gay veteran who got booted when it was found out I was gay - that many of you aren't going to like. I respect what the Lt was attempting to do, but I think the backlash from it is going to be worse. Too many in the services are going to see this as a reckless act, not one grounded in well thought out tactics and strategy that indicates the type of officer most of us were trained to follow into combat. As in "see, those homos really aren't fit to serve"

I fear Lt. Choi has just moved himself from a positive role model/spokesperson into a liability category for the cause.

Before any of you flame back - keep in mind how you'd feel seeing some of Elaine Donnelley's 1,100 retired flag officers chaining themselves in uniform to the White House fence to make their case that DADT should remain in place. There are fairly strict guidelines in place to keep our military under the direction of the civilian authorities.

[Toasterlad]

106. He's Tried Playing Nice, And The President Pissed In His Face

Rabble-rousing is a time-honored tradition in America, and Lt. Choi has every right to use it to draw attention to this heinous policy which Obama supports. As a former serviceman myself, I know that I always respected officers (and non-officers) who took initiative and stepped up to do what needed to be done. Which is what Choi is doing here.

This reflects badly on Congress, the White House, and the bigoted officers who want this policy to continue. It does not reflect badly on Dan Choi. And anyone who'll think it does was not on our side to begin with.

[Mimosa]

150. Of course they pre-planned what they would do after arrest.

Being military officers both knew what the procedures would be after arrest as well as what they planned to do.

An 'innocent' plea is automatic when charged for a violation of the military code, right?

Parkway, I think this is correct:


"I fear Lt. Choi has just moved himself from a positive role model/spokesperson into a liability category for the cause."

I'm thinking from a perspective of the strategy which has brought gays into more public acceptance than was once ever dreamed of. Younger people wouldn't know.

[EFerrari]

6. So, does John say what the plan is? I'm sorry, I'm stilll too mad to read.

I hope there's a lawyer or two at that facility, making some demands.

[readmoreoften]

8. But our FIERCE ADVOCATE is on the way to advocate for his release.

I'm totally sure of this.

[itsrobert]

9. If he's still part of the military

It is not lawful to protest in uniform. If the charge is "failure to obey a lawful order" as the order is not to appear in uniform protesting, than the military can confine him for a long time. There is no "bail" in the military judicial system.

[Bluebear]

10. I see. Don't ask, don't tell, and don't protest.

[Subdivisions]

14. When will we as a People get it? n/t

[gimama]

23. I got it.. & DON'T ACCEPT it.

THIS is WRONG..on top of wrongs.

[Mari333]

25. anyone who would tell me not to protest will be hit in the smacker

with a huge copy of the Constitution of the United States.

and then Ill slap the shit out of them with the Bill of Rights.

[gimama]

30. for a PEACE-Worker, You're kinda cranky

I LOVE that about YOU!:hi:

[muffin1]

49. Hmmm...

So, it seems like he's 'not good enough' to serve in any real capacity in the military. But, he's 'military enough' to fall under military rules?

WTF is going on?

[spoony]

73. That's a frightening thought.

:(

[Hissyspit]

12. Keep it kicked. nt

[bigwillq]

13. kick

[demmiblue]

15. kick

[HillWilliam]

16. K&R

Been following the tweets. To add insult to injury, HRC released a statement which appears to be utterly untrue.

[Zoeisright]

17. Kick

[Mari333]

18. k

[gimama]

19. get this on the teeveee

Get this OUT. If YOU fb/tweet, etc, get it OUT.
This is the crap that happens to PEACE activists..
& it's ILLEGAL & UN-Constitutional..'patriot' act, not withstanding.
A week ago, Answer Coalition activists were being arrested & charged with
FELONIES, in DC & SF..for putting up March 20th. posters. (My initial reaction is the man plans to hold'em(today's Activists),deny their Rights, till after the PEACE rallies this week/wkend..)
www.March20.org
WE must demand Justice..& stand UP for Lt.Dan & OurSELVES.
Mr. Obama..what HAPPENED?


edit for sad disbelief :(

[Mari333]

20. rally tonight at the Fed building

http://www.shewired.com/Article.cfm?Section=1&ID=24649

[gimama]

26. thanks, Mari!

posted/shared widely..
Lt.Choi has many People on His side..& in DC right now.
I think at least 1 retired Mil. Lawyer (PEACE Activist!) there.
Keep sending LOVE & Light to these brave Ones, & keeep getting the word OUT.

[Jamastiene]

88. Kick

[David Zephyr]

21. Kick! Bluebear, thanks for keeping us posted.

I don't give a flying fuck about anything else going on in DC right now except this.

I'm worried about Dan. I wouldn't be surprised if a disinformation and smear campaign about him is being cooked up right now.

No cell phone? Bush would be proud of this shit.

Bluebear, thanks for this update.

[gimama]

22. This is NOT *JUSTICE*

shame on those responsible..

[Mari333]

24. k

[PatrynXX]

129. Terry Pratchett and Justice

strange listening an interview terry did on the dvd for The Hogfather. At some point he hits on the Sata Claus little lie , has to be made because little lies hide the big lies like justice is a fantasy.

I'm sure theres some conversation behind that. He is from Britain, but we are heavily influenced by britains laws.

So is Justice simply a fantasy or a big lie?

[bullwinkle428]

27. K&R.

[Luciferous]

29. K&R

[unapatriciated]

31. kick

[EFerrari]

32. Kick

[backscatter712]

33. My bet is he's getting busted under military rules.

He's still a member of the U.S. military, and was going to be put back on active duty for another trip to Iraq or Afghanistan, IIRC.

Under the UCMJ, it's a fairly serious offense to protest like Choi did, while in military uniform - he's in deep shit.

[Lex]

36. Where do you get your information? He was going back to Iraq?

What?

[backscatter712]

82. Let me correct myself.

I double-checked, turns out the story I've been hearing about Choi getting reinstated are false.

However, he hasn't officially been discharged yet, meaning he's still going to be prosecuted under the UCMJ. He's in deep shit.

[YDogg]

105. agreed

[Catshrink]

39. I was thinking this, too.

[bondwooley]

134. Just wondering ....

I can see why he might be tried by the police and the military. But couldn't he also be in trouble with the feds/FBI for tampering with federal property?

[annabanana]

34. Anyone in a place to get updates?. . . n/t

[leftstreet]

35. K&R

[GrantDem]

38. K&R

[Bluenorthwest]

42. One man, one woman, one phone call

Two men, no phone for you, it is in the Bible next to the rules for properly selling your kids into slavery.

[arcadian]

44. There are Presidential support facilities at Anacostia Naval station

[Starry Messenger]

45. k

[Smashcut]

47. Kick.

[Neecy]

48. hmmmmm

So, a teabagger can carry a gun outside of a Presidential appearance and it's all hunky-dory, but this small (UNARMED) act get him thrown in the tank without the right to make a phone call?

Why does the right get away with their shit, and we get thrown in jail?

[vadawg]

51. mayby because the teabagger with the gun wasnt breaking the law and choi was and in uniform

there is a difference between the acts you know..

[Bluebear]

52. Of course you would jump in to point that out, wouldn't you!

[vadawg]

54. lol not sure if your agreeing with me or attacking me :)

[Bluebear]

55. Neither, just an observation

[vadawg]

56. and your observation is that im correct i take it,

[Toasterlad]

107. You Are Correct About the Legality. However, the Poster You Responded To Was Talking About Justice.

Something that's not always covered by the law. But you're apparently not interested in that part. You're too busy admiring the way the legal system keeps down teh gay.

[donco6]

133. +100

[Neecy]

58. In a uniform that his country is taking away from him....

Simply because he's gay. I guess that's why I'm not having a case of the vapors that he wore it today.

And apparently he's in civilian custody and not DOD, so his uniform is simply not relevant to the discussion.

[vadawg]

62. if hes still military then he will be handed over to the military, and his uniform is relevant

in the fact that he wore it and was arrested in it so even if he was in civilian custody then im sure that wearing his uniform and being arrested and politicking is against the USMJ so hw will have to face military justice as well... Guy did something he thought was right but he will still have to pay the consequences..

[Neecy]

72. Why would he care?

They're throwing him out anyway, despite the promises of our Fierce Advocate. He really had nothing to lose. And if they throw him in the brig for a year or so - it's on Obama's hands. We won't forget.

[vadawg]

77. mayby he dosent, but he was aware that his actions would have consequences

probuably why he decided to wear his uniform when he did it...

[itsrobert]

97. They can still court martial him and tack a military prison sentence with his discharge

n/t

[gimama]

50. Kick!

[Eyerish]

53. K&R

[blackwhiskey]

57. my 2 cents

I am recently retired from the military, a veteran of multiple combat tours and
totally support overturning Don't Ask Don't Tell. The time has come, and there are more progressive thinking people in the military than most people would believe.

I suspect the brass picked up both 1LT Choi and CPT Pietrangelo and transfered them to
a military facility.

By being in uniform they in violation of Article 88 of the UCMJ

“Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”

and DoD Directive 1344.10

www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/134410p.pdf

If they were not in uniform, they still would have been arrested but would not have faced any UCMJ actions.

[Bluebear]

59. Welcome to DU and thank you for your support in overturning DADT

[Mimosa]

70. ^ That's what my Army Vet pal said.^

Quote:


"I suspect the brass picked up both 1LT Choi and CPT Pietrangelo and transfered them to
a military facility.

By being in uniform they in violation of Article 88 of the UCMJ

“Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”

and DoD Directive 1344.10

www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/134410p.pdf

If they were not in uniform, they still would have been arrested but would not have faced any UCMJ actions."

BIG MISTAKE.

[Crabby Appleton]

75. They were in uniform

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbYQ8oxqFg4

[AsahinaKimi]

121. Welcome to DU

eom.

[democrank]

126. Welcome to DU, blackwhiskey.

Glad you made it home.

[Mimosa]

61. Double post.

Double Post accident.

[Bluebear]

64. 'BUT NOW is not the time -during the war against terrorism- ' ...no, it's never "time", is it.

[Mimosa]

63. He was stupid!

Yes, I believe in protesting as I was a protester against the Vietnam war. As well as for gay and feminist issues.

BUT NOW is not the time -during the war against terrorism- to be handcuffing oneself to the White House fence. Choi appears to be going crazy. As my friends who are veterans say, the brass and the military grunts are quickly moving towards repealing DADT.I don't think Choi's action today was useful.

[Bluebear]

65. 'BUT NOW is not the time -during the war against terrorism- ' ...no, it's never "time", is it.

[readmoreoften]

67. It is never time for us, Bluebear.

Not on their watches anyway.

[readmoreoften]

66. No. You obviously DON'T believe in protesting if you say "now is not the time."

You don't think Choi's action is useful? Guess what? I don't really think your dismissal of his action is useful. Now is EXACTLY the time to be handcuffing yourself to the White House fence.

[Mimosa]

68. GO DO IT THEN.

I'm sure it's the wrong time and I worked gay rights in the 70s, for god's sake.

[Bluebear]

71. 'and I worked gay rights in the 70s' ...but NOW is not the time. With the war on terror & everything

Pfff.

[Jamastiene]

87. Obviosuly, you didn't do a very good job.

We still don't have rights. :eyes:

[Mimosa]

140. Guess you'd say that to blacks who worked for civil rights in the 40s and 50s.

Rudeness towards people who were there before you is really classy. Obviously people who say the 70s were a cakewalk weren't there and certainly weren't groundbreakers or social pioneers.

Some people can disagree about strategies without getting ugly. But some people are just ugly by nature and inclination.

Some few gay members manage to be the rudest people on D.U. I've noticed. No tolerance for others, even those who are LGBT who don't agree with them.

[Toasterlad]

110. "I worked gay rights in the 70s,"

No you didn't.

[Neecy]

74. No, they aren't

Barney Frank said this week that the White House didn't want to touch DADT this year - and next year, with losses in the House and Senate, it will be close to impossible to repeal. 2009/2010 was our only chance, which is why we've been so forceful on this issue. Choi knows this and he isn't crazy. How dare you insinuate that.

[Bluebear]

79. because she "worked for gay rights in the 70's"

:silly:

[Neecy]

81. The 70's were a piece of cake

The 80's were when we got pissed and weren't going to take it any longer - when the Reagan/Bush policies of genocide caused us to take to the streets and kick ass. And we did.

We need a little more 80's style activism today, and less 70's street carnival peace and love crap...

[Jamastiene]

90. +1000000

Hell to the yeah.

[Incitatus]

80. Anytime someone's rights are being suppressed is the right time.

[Jamastiene]

92. +1000000

[Jamastiene]

86. Nice post, Rummy.

Bet ya got a brazillion more like 'em, eh?

Now is not the time, my ass.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

108. Now is the PERFECT time ---

After claiming to be a "fierce advocate" for them, Obama just screwed over the GLBT commnity by kicking the can down the road on issue for another year at least.

That move is 100% BULLSHIT and needs to be called out in ways like Lt. Choi is doing.

He is a hero whose work will help free us all.

[Toasterlad]

109. Yes! We Must Continue To Discharge Servicemen For No Reason Because We're In a War!

If that makes the slightest bit of sense to you, you're a fucking moron.

[Lorien]

115. A "War against terrorism"? Did you seriously fall for that BS line?

Why not a war against angst? Or apathy? Or irritation? If fighting terrorism were a concern they would hire more translators and CIA. This is a war for oil and military contracts.

If you actually DID stand up against the Vietnam conflict and for women's / civil rights, then you would have understood that NOW is always the time to fight for what's right!

[bullwinkle428]

116. FUCK that "not the right time" shit!! That talking point has

become extremely tiresome!

[tbyg52]

122. Not agreeing with you about the "stupid" part, (AT ALL!) but

Even stupid people should have a right to due process.

[Ignis]

124. "during the war against terrorism"

And the TERRA TERRA BOOGA BOOGA fishhook snags another one!

[Mimosa]

146. Choi and other gay military believe there is.

I guess some here have never heard him or any other gay military who believe they are fighting in a war against terrorism.

So, are they foolish to be enlisted in the military? *rolling eyes*

[Ignis]

154. Yes, you're right: I've never, ever heard of Lt. Choi.

Which is precisely why I'm posting in a thread on that very topic.

:dunce:

[kestrel91316]

132. IMHO there's no better or more appropriate time than now - regardless of

of some phony, trumped-up Warronterra (TM).

[tavalon]

138. Trademarked Warronterra! That needed it's own heading

It's a beautiful thing.

[kestrel91316]

143. I own the copyright, lol. You can send licensing checks to me.

[tavalon]

147. Well worth it! The government should hire you to, uh, mock them, yeah, mock them

Warronterra is the bomb!

[Mimosa]

148. Choi has said he was 'fighting terrorism'

I've been against the war in the mideast. Our gay service members presumably support it since they volunteered to fight it. Choi had re-upped for a third tour of duty iirc.

Choi:

http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2009/09/dont-ask-dont-lie/

[donco6]

156. We'll ALWAYS have the "war on terror."

It's as permanent as the "war on drugs." And your accusation of mental instability is right out of 1984.

[gimama]

84. any updates? nt

[Jamastiene]

89. K&R & Parking it for more updates.

Thank you for the update. I see the usual suspects are showing up to tell us to STFU and some are even making shit up as they go along.

[lonestarnot]

96. Lt. Dan!

Damn I love saying that. Lt. Dan!

[kevinbgoode]

98. And let me give this a kick. . .

this outrageous affront to the liberty and equality of over 20 million adult, taxpaying, capable gay Americans will be an enduring embarassment on this country's history. There just isn't any excuse for maintaining this stupid Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. Period.

[PBS Poll-435]

99. kick

:patriot:

[eridani]

102. Any news yet?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[NorthCarolina]

112. Kicked and recommended!

I look forward to hearing what Maddow has to say about this tonight, assuming she covers it on her show.

[Blue Owl]

113. You'd think the military would REWARD bravery of this level

n/t

[jeremyfive]

114. MAY GOD DAMN THE U.S. MILITARY

Endless wars are just WELFARE for right-wing bigots, under the current system.

We need a military that represents ALL of a multicultural society.

[gimama]

117. looking for updates..

& kick for Justice

[VMI Dem]

119. Lt. Choi's views are not popular on this message board.

[a la izquierda]

125. How do you figure?

[riderinthestorm]

131. Many DUers don't think DADT can be addressed "now"

that this issue should wait until... (after HCR, after the economy stabilizes, after we stabilize Afghanistan, after 2012 etc. etc. take your pick of reasons to 'wait").

They also don't believe that DADT can be suspended pending review and that gay service members just have to endure continuing to be kicked out until (insert whatever issue you believe needs addressing and is "more important" here). If Obama does suspend DADT pending review, he's just like Bush.

There are other reasons but basically many DUers find LGBT activism on DADT, like Choi's, to be premature, wrong, or just not useful.

I don't agree with any of that. It's way past time Obama suspended DADT while it's under pending review, or suspended it while he gets on pushing for it's repeal but you asked why DUers are against actions like Choi's and I thought I'd explain.

[a la izquierda]

135. Well, those DUers can kiss my right buttcheek.

Thanks very much! (But a serious thank you for the explanation)
Why anyone thinks that adults, with all of their mental faculties, can't multi-task is beyond me. If Congress can't multi-task, FIRE. THEM. But it's not that, is it? Congress can do it. They just don't want to do all these things, because it requires actually WORKING!

[Bluebear]

136. "It's not the time, now that we're in a war on terror"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=7951017&mesg_id=7952437

If you can believe that.

And I thank your butt-cheek. :)

[a la izquierda]

149. Cheers.

My mom is a lesbian and my uncle is gay. I'm pretty rancorous in support of GLBT rights. I have little time or patience for those who tell others they should "wait" for a basic human right.

Edited for grammar. I'm tired and my husband's witch of a boss pre-empted his two week notice and fired him today.

[democrank]

127. Kick

[onpatrol98]

128. He wanted to make a statement

I think he wanted to make a statement. DADT is on its way out of the door, but I'm sure too slowly for him. He knew that with his uniform on, he would get into big trouble. But, without his uniform on, he may not have received as much media attention, as quickly.

I'm sure he was ready to accept the consequences of his actions for his cause. I don't think he's crazy. I think he's mad and tired and wanted to make a very, public statement.

When his book comes out, if it isn't out already, we'll hear what he had to endure for his cause. Guaranteed, there will be a movie.

[fasttense]

130. Any updates? n/t

[Neecy]

139. Update

Both Dan and Jim pleaded not guilty to failure to obey an order in DC Superior Court today. I attended their arraignment with Robin McGehee from GetEqual, Pam Spaulding and her wife, Kate, Paul Yandura, Alex Nicholson from Servicemembers United and several of the other GetEqual activists.

Jim was brought into the courtroom first, in handcuffs and leg . He pleaded not guilty and got a trial date of April 26th. The judge told him that he could "post and forfeit" meaning pay a fee of $100, with no admission of guilt, and have the whole matter go away. But, Jim said "not guilty.

Dan came into the courtroom next, again in handcuffs and shackles (leg irons). He got the same disclaimer from the judge about the "post and forfeit" process. But, Dan said, "I plead not guilty and I am not ashamed. And, I am not finished."

Then, both were freed.

It was quite a scene. Dan hugged all of us. Jim thanked me for coming. I told him we all owe him thanks.

http://gay.americablog.com/

[backscatter712]

142. Glad to hear they're out.

I wish I could K&R individual posts - this is an important update.

Actually, come to think of it, you might want to post your update in a new thread.

[Neecy]

145. Will do.

[EFerrari]

144. These are some special people. Thanks, Neecy.

[Robeson]

151. Thanks for the update.

[alp227]

137. I don't know; maybe he was quietly shipped off to Guantanamo

because Choi committed treason for opposing the official DADT military policy? :tinfoilhat:

[Mimosa]

141. Right: like our current President would do that. n/t

[Bluebear]

152. Like he wouldn't extend the Patriot Act, right?

[Lex]

153. Heh. n/t

[Bluebear]

157. Another one for the ignore pile.

I just can't stand it anymore.