Dan Choi officially Discharged under DADT

[FreeState]

http://www.gaycitynews.com/articles/2010/07/20/gay_city...

Choi lost his battle with the Pentagon on June 29 when his discharge from the Army under the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy was finalized. While Choi’s National Guard unit informed him by registered mail and with phone messages, he has not disclosed the action. He did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Bigotry at it's finest. Thank you for your service Mr. Choi, you are an American hero and deserve to be treated as such.

[handmade34]

1. rec only so as to get the word out

this is horrible news

[Touchdown]

2. Nothing to say except typical bastards.

[pinboy3niner]

3. Damn!

There should have been a moratorium on this crap. Too many good people-even by the military's standards--are being harmed.

[EFerrari]

4. Is this for sure?

Dan Choi is a remarkable human being. I hope he has good friends around him.

[suffragette]

33. Verified here and looks like the doing of this is as messed up

as everything else about this policy and process. They can't even face Choi to do this. Cowards.

http://www.metroweekly.com/news/?ak=5434
Former Lt. Dan Choi, the face of the movement to repeal the military's ''Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' policy since coming out on The Rachel Maddow Show in early 2009, was honorably discharged from the New York Army National Guard on June 29, a Guard spokesman confirmed on Wednesday, July 21.

Lt. Col. Rich Goldenberg with the New York National Guard responded to an inquiry from Metro Weekly about the discharge, first reported in the Gay City News, by saying that a certified letter was sent to Choi detailing the honorable discharge and that ''Choi was informed on 29 June'' via a phone message left by his unit commander. Other calls were made to him as well, he said.

Goldenberg acknowledged, ''I do not believe he returned any of their calls,'' but added that ''he New York National Guard made every attempt to make sure that Lt. Choi was fully informed of the action.''

Choi, earlier Wednesday afternoon, apparently responding to the Gay City News report, posted on Twitter, ''No, I have not seen any discharge papers. When/if they come, I'll show and tell.''

Link to Choi's twitter:
http://twitter.com/ltdanchoi/status/19097619578

I hope he has some good friends around him right now, too.

[FreeState]

38. Apparently the discharge papers were delivered to his father - who he doesn't talk to

(dont know if the article had been updated when you posted this )

http://www.metroweekly.com/news/?ak=5434

The Guard later provided additional information, including that the certified letter was signed for on July 6 by a person bearing the same last name as Choi at his ''home of record'' in Orange County, Calif. Choi confirmed that the name is his father, but added that he’s not spoken to him since October 2009.

[suffragette]

42. Choi confirming that it was his father's name signed is a new

update.

Just gets worse with each new detail, doesn't it?

[FreeState]

43. Its's a mess - how they can discharge someone without telling him personally is beyond pale n/t

[suffragette]

46. Yes, it is just wrong

and they know it.
And they couldn't face him to do it.

[rpannier]

49. It's wrong but it's very common

Unless you are actually assigned to a unit and are with that unit sending your discharge papers registered mail is a common practice.

[lies and propaganda]

5. is thsi for sure?No date on article, and nothing in July spoken of..

last I knew the fight was strong,and it was in July.. I think this may just be old?

[FreeState]

6. The article is from today

Its easy to miss but its in gray towards the top under the pic... "Published: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 9:53 PM CDT"

[Starry Messenger]

7. Choi 2012

[aquart]

8. Bastards.

[David__77]

9. They better lift this policy in the next two months.

If they don't there will be trouble mobilizing LGBT voters; only passage of ENDA could mitigate further delay.

[Better Today]

10. Thank Obama for another epic FAIL!

[USArmyParatrooper]

84. And Bill Clinton, let's not leave him out

Where are all the anti-Clinton threads? He was the one who signed DADT into law.

Yet... Obama gets flamed because the repeal of Clinton's policy hasn't happened fast enough. And don't worry, when the repeal does happen I don't expect you to credit Obama for keeping his promise.

[eridani]

11. Great. We just don't NEED people fluent in Arabic in today's world n/t

[glitch]

31. Not to mention all the money invested in his training. From a fiscal perspective, stupid.

From a human perspective, shameful.

edit: and from a "homeland security" perspective, fucking criminal.

[Prism]

12. Sigh, people still won't listen.

No matter how many warnings we give, no matter how many times we are right, partisans will insist to us we have no knowledge of our issues. We were told not to worry about Choi in rather nasty tones.

Well, I guess he didn't get his pony after all.

[QC]

13. How very, very hopeful and changealicious! n/t

[bigwillq]

14. Where's our fierce advocate?

Such a shame. Thank you, Mr. Choi.

[Bluenorthwest]

15. Dan Choi is a man of honor

fired by people of no honor, no scruples, and zero courage, people who listen to gossip and slander and see it as truth.
One million thanks to Dan Choi, an American hero.

[myrna minx]

16. .

[bullwinkle428]

17. Fucking pathetic. The hits just keep coming.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

18. Utterly ridiculous.

Hey, O Adminstration, where the fuck are you on this issue??? With a stroke of his pen O could have put on hold implimentation of DADT until the Pentagon review was complete. But no, he is a coward who would rather have a man like Dan Choi thrown out of the service rather than face any political heat. LBJ did the right thing on civil rights despite the unimaginable heat he knew was coming.

Dan Choi is a HERO -- Obama could only hope to be half the man Choi is.

[Veruca Salt]

21. "With a stroke of his pen O could have put on hold implimentation of DADT until the Pentagon review

was complete."

Bears repeating. There are no words for how pissed I am. You've done a wonderful job expressing that which I wouldn't be able to say coherently. Thank you for that.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

24. You are welcome.

How many more Dan Chois will be given the boot before this administration finally takes a solid stand on DADT? This whole Pentagon report was simply a "kick the can down the road" bullshit effort on the Administrations part. Yeegads, all the "fierce advocacy" is blinding me.

[KamaAina]

41. But think what a brilliant 3D chess move this is!

It frees his knight up on the seventh level to move down to the sixth and threaten the repukes' pawn formation!

[RT Atlanta]

19. We need more Mr. Choi's in our society

Someone willing to take the "right" stand on principle. My best wishes to him.

[Soylent Brice]

20. how fucking sad is that.

just sad.

K&R

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

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

[Ignis]

34. I'd love an answer to that question, too. Isn't it on one of the Big Lists?

[QC]

35. Isn't it right next to the one about getting a puppy? n/t

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

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

[WorseBeforeBetter]

47. The dog was a gift from Ted Kennedy.

I would have preferred a dog from a shelter (with the Obamas making a statement re spay/neuter, responsible pet ownership, adoption, puppy mills, etc.), but I don't begrudge them accepting a dog from the man who helped put him in office.

[Name removed]

50. Deleted message

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

[Forkboy]

36. Pragmatism

[Hell Hath No Fury]

23. Kicking --

because everyone needs to see this.

[joeybee12]

25. Fuck you pentagon...n/t

[rhett o rick]

59. The President could have stopped it. nm

[cherokeeprogressive]

26. "Fierce Advocate" my fucking ass.

President Obama's claims of being a "Fierce Advocate" aren't worth the powder it would take to blow them to fucking hell with, apparently.

[Ignis]

28. Hey, they're keeping their powder dry!

In about 50 or 100 years, it just might be dry enough to do something!

[Bluebear]

65. These discharges certainly leave me with a dry feeling.

[cherokeeprogressive]

27. kick

[slay]

29. What is wrong with us

as a country, to make that man feel like a lesser human being than the rest of us? A sad commentary on mindset of America. And a real crime against Dan himself. At some point America will look back on these actions with great shame. It's past time to stop this shit and ensure equal rights for everyone.

*edited for clarity

[Robeson]

30. Discharging qualified individuals, makes our armed forces weaker...

...these people are military assets, and this nation is getting rid of assets. That seems pretty stupid to me.

[QC]

32. KICK!

[EstimatedProphet]

39. This is a real shame

[Starry Messenger]

40. kick.

[dhill926]

44. this is fucked up on so many levels........

very disappointed in the Administration today.......

[NorthCarolina]

45. He was allowed to "hang around" a bit longer than others though.

Not sure if that is because he was visible in the MSM, or because the LGBT community has such a "fierce advocate" in the White House.

[Warren Stupidity]

48. Yes but Obama did not personally fire him

so it is not his fault.

[Greyhound]

52. LOL! n/t

[bullwinkle428]

53. If DU had a "Post of the Day", my vote would be for yours!

[FreeState]

57. The buck stops nowhere apparently

Its not like he is Commander In Chief or anything. Its not like he could have signed an executive order halting the firings until congress gets its sorry ass together.

[Bluebear]

64. FTW!

[activa8tr]

70. Very good Satire! n/t

[Ignis]

78. !

[QC]

81. So real it's downright scary! n/t

[liquid diamond]

51. Fucking idiots. We are fighting two wars, but the DOD is

discharging people based on who they are sexually attracted to. It's just one self-inflicted wound after another. How much longer until we bleed out?

[laughingliberal]

54. ....

[Tailormyst]

55. Dear President Obama and Sen Reid,

I am incredibly disappointed in you both. You should both be ashamed at allowing this to happen. Cowards or Bigots, it's one or the other.

[VenusRising]

56. This makes me very sad.

I wrote the WH a number of times on his behalf and to speak against DADT.

Hopefully, one day this senseless policy will be overturned.

NGU

[webDude]

58. Thank you Mr. Choi for your service and courage!! Hang in there!

[lobodons]

60. Makes you real proud to be an American, eh?

Actually, I'd say it makes me embarrassed to be an American.

[TriMera]

61. The Army lost a good soldier and a good man.

Dan Choi is a hero. He is also a leader and a motivator. I have a feeling that he and groups like GetEqual are going to keep the pressure on. Being patient is getting us nowhere with this administration. This policy has got to go.

The Army committed a grievous injustice by letting Dan Choi go. But, the LT is a fighter and I'm damn glad he's on our side.

[upi402]

62. Shame on US, but for Mr Choi

Thanks!

[Bluebear]

63. Fierce advocate my ass. nt

[Hell Hath No Fury]

66. Another kick --

because the truth about this administration must be told and seen.

[xchrom]

67. kick

[Bluebear]

68. kick

[activa8tr]

69. When do we get equality for gays in the military? Is Obama waiting

for Hell to freeze over?

WHAT THE HECK IS HE WAITING FOR?

THIS IS DESPICABLE! I VOTED FOR OBAMA TO STOP THIS CRAP!

[QC]

71. Kicking sensibly. n/t

[Bluebear]

77. and pragmatically

[QC]

80. I am nothing if not a sensible pragmatist. n/t

[earth mom]

72. K & R!

[Bluebear]

73. kick

[Zhade]

74. Such fucking bullshit.

Some fierce advocates we have!

[Bluebear]

75. You said it, z.

[RainDog]

76. geez, these people who think they should be allowed to work no matter if they're not straight

that's not important in the big democratic party scheme of things.

they have women to oppress by denying them reproductive choice and rights to privacy.

get your priorities straight. and the rest of your life. and if you're a female, shut up and die if you have medical reasons for an abortion but aren't rich enough to pay out the ass for private health care.

don't you know that the christo-fascists get to tell everyone in America how to live, what to think and do, and whether or not they are valued members of society?

just ask Monica Goodling - the fucking shithead who denied jobs to people b/c they weren't xtian enough - or because they were rumored to be gay - but she apparently broke no law even tho she violated federal policy - at least according to AG Holder's office.

this nation is BACKWARD because of a minority of stupid shits who seem to be the ONLY people any politician cares about.

WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS? a democratic republic or a theocracy?

[BlueCheese]

79. He's disclosed it now...

Apparently his discharge is now official. This is a travesty.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/0...

[Bluebear]

82. welcome to DU bc

[Divine Discontent]

83. Thank you for your service to my country, Mr. Choi! You are a hero! Obviously, you will probably

never be given back what was lost, but you have done a lot for the greater good of your fellow citizens. I was very proud of you for what you did at the White House in protesting their lack of action. You deserved better.