When will Obama end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell?"
President Obama has never met Lt. Dan Choi, but I bet he’s become very familiar with his name.
Choi, a platoon leader in the National Guard, a West Point graduate and a fluent speaker in the Arabic language, has gone public with his anger over being dismissed from the military due to his status as an openly gay man. Choi, who recently returned from Iraq says, he is “extremely angry” and vows to fight the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
“Don’t lie. Don’t hide. Don’t discriminate. Don’t weaken the military,” Choi said in a interview on The Rachel Maddow Show.
These folks also believe the tooth fairy put a quarter under their pillow and that some jolly old fat bastard came down the chimney to leave a G.I. Joe with the Kung-fu grip under the Christmas tree.
Democracy is not like the drive-thru window at Burger King. You can’t always get something fixed right fucking now. Sometimes you have to wait and more times than not you don’t get exactly what you want, how you want and when you want.
I’m not at all surprised gay activists has taken this particular issue and turned it into an example of how Obama is ignoring their issues.
Of course, should the president nominate a lesbian to the Supreme Court that will earn him some points with the very same gay activists that are blasting him now. Of course if he does so he’ll piss off the Hispanics who are also feeling kind of ignored and there are some Black folks who want a Black woman or man on the Court to counter-balance Clarence Thomas.
There always will be groups, voting blocs, core supporters and critical constituencies that feel THEIR cause should be the president’s cause if for no other reason than they voted for him.
Is Lt. Tsao unfit to serve because she's a lesbian?
We have the best military in the world and I would like to continue to be part of it. My mother can tell you it is my dream to serve our country. I have fought and overcome many barriers to arrive at the point I am at today. This is the only battle I fear I may lose. Even if it is too late for me, I do hope, Mr. President, that you will help us to win the war against prejudice so that future generations will continue to work together and fight for our freedoms regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin or sexual orientation.
On May 5, the president responded to Tsao with a brief, handwritten letter:
Sandy – Thanks for the wonderful and thoughtful letter. It is because of outstanding Americans like you that I committed to changing our current policy. Although it will take some time to complete (partly because it needs Congressional action) I intend to fulfill my commitment. — Barack Obama.
“I intend to fulfill my commitment.” I hope the president is sincere. After a decade, it is time for DADT to be abolished and the persecution and ouster of dedicated soldiers such as Tsao and Choi to finally end.
It’s unrealistic to suggest Obama should intercede in each and every individual case of a solider being booted out for violating DADT. He’d spend his time doing nothing else than micromanaging every issue where someone feels they’re being screwed over by the government.
Gay activists have evoked the civil rights movement, but are impatient with the approach of “go-slow” gradualism and incremental steps . They should know Dr. King once said, “All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.”
Those clamoring for immediate gratification have not considered the ramifications of pushing through a quick “solution” and forcing it upon the military and yes, that IS a consideration.
